The Linux Foundation's December 2025 report, "The State of Open Source Japan 2025," highlights how Japanese companies use open source software (OSS) and the challenges they face. Of 851 survey responses gathered worldwide, 141 came from Japanese organizations.

Leading the World in Business Value Recognition

The most striking finding is how highly Japanese companies rate OSS's business value. Sixty-nine percent reported increased business value from OSS over the past year, above the global average of 54%. A further 74% consider OSS valuable for their organization's future.

Japanese companies are beginning to treat OSS not as a mere alternative technology but as a strategic tool for cost reduction and innovation.

Falling Behind in Foundational Infrastructure

Yet this high value recognition contrasts with slow adoption of foundational infrastructure. According to the report, Japan's cloud technology adoption stands at 33%, below the global average of 52%. The defining paradox of OSS use in Japan is "recognizing the value but not yet using it for core infrastructure."

Behind this lag lie organizational factors particular to Japanese companies: a risk-averse decision-making culture, reliance on proven proprietary systems, and concerns about data sovereignty and regulatory compliance.

Leading in Specialized Fields

By contrast, Japanese companies show strength in specific specialized domains. They lead the world in adopting specialized technologies such as augmented reality (AR)/virtual reality (VR) and manufacturing technologies like 3D printing and CAD/CAM. Japanese respondents see these as areas where open source brings the greatest benefit—a clear sign of strategic prioritization.

An Urgent Need for Governance

Even as OSS's business value gains recognition, organizational governance lags. Only 41% of companies have an Open Source Program Office (OSPO), and just 39% have a clear OSS strategy. Meanwhile, 33% publicly state their OSS position—unchanged from 2024.

As a barrier to adoption, 51% cited a "lack of policies or guidance on OSS use," far above the global average of 28%. This points to a reality where teams, fearing legal risk, stay in passive consumption.

Gaps in Security Assessment

Security is another challenge. Only 26% of companies check community activity levels when evaluating components, well below the global average of 47%. This suggests that while certification "seals of approval" are valued, the substantive check of whether the software will be maintained over time is often neglected.

High Expectations for Enterprise-Grade Support

Japanese companies' stance shows up in their support requirements. For critical issues in production, 89% expect a response within 12 hours—far above the global average of 69%. The share considering paid support essential is also high, at 45% for heavily regulated industries (versus 36% globally). It reflects treating OSS not as a free tool but as core infrastructure that cannot go down.

Active Engagement Drives Competitiveness

The survey shows a correlation between engagement and competitiveness. Among very active organizations, 73% agreed that OSS makes them more competitive, versus 56% among less active ones. There is also a gap between executives and staff: 70% of executives consider OSS valuable for their organization's future, against 85% of frontline staff—so those making adoption decisions understand it less.

Barriers to Participation

The biggest barrier to deeper OSS participation is concern over intellectual property (IP). Fifty-two percent cited IP fears as a barrier to contributing, and 44% as a barrier to adoption, while 34% were uncertain about ROI. These point to the need for specialized expertise and formal governance.

Outlook

The findings show Japanese companies at a pivotal point. Recognition of business value is rising, but the organizational and technical foundations to capitalize on it have not kept pace.

Noriaki Fukuyasu, VP of Japan Operations at the Linux Foundation, called the 2025 report a turning point at which "open source in Japan has evolved from a mere option into a strategic imperative underpinning competitiveness and innovation." He points to the need to close the gap strategically through formal governance and a shift from passive use to active ecosystem participation.

Note that the report is based on an online survey and reflects the traits of the responding companies. For example, its OSPO figure of 41% is far higher than the much lower rate reported in a separate IPA survey—so such reports are best read with their premises in mind.

What is the situation in your country regarding the adoption and use of open source software? If there are points in common with Japan, or differences, we'd love to hear them.