Linux Foundation Research has released a new report revealing Japan’s rapid rise in open source value creation, but warns that governance and security gaps are slowing the country’s next stage of OSS-driven competitiveness.
Linux Foundation Research has released its latest report, “The State of Open Source Japan 2025: Accelerating Business Value through Strategic Open Source Engagement. The findings show Japan entering a decisive phase where open source is now strategic business infrastructure, with 69% of organisations reporting increased OSS-driven value, surpassing the global 54% rate.
Noriaki Fukuyasu, VP of Japan Operations at the Linux Foundation, noted: “A major takeaway from the 2025 report is that open source in Japan has reached a pivotal turning point, evolving from a mere option to a strategic imperative that underpins competitiveness and innovation. The fact that 69% of organisations experienced increased business value from OSS over the past year is a testament to the tireless efforts of Japan’s leaders and communities, and I am truly proud of this meaningful progress.” He added: “Moving forward, it is essential to establish formal governance structures and shift from passive use to active ecosystem participation in order to strategically bridge this gap.”
The report highlights governance and security maturity gaps, with only 41% of organisations having OSPOs, 39% maintaining clear open source strategies, and just 26% checking community activity when evaluating components. Despite these gaps, Japan excels in AR/VR, 3D simulation, blockchain, and manufacturing technologies.
Demand for enterprise-grade support continues to rise, with 89% expecting sub-12-hour responses and 45% requiring long-term support guarantees. Barriers persist, including IP concerns (52%) and the absence of clear policies (51%).
The report argues that deeper ecosystem participation, unified security frameworks, and formal governance structures will be essential to unlock Japan’s next wave of open source competitiveness.
