In 2026, while uncertainty will continue to shape the global landscape, there are several areas in which positive developments can realistically be expected, both worldwide and in Japan. Below are concrete examples of such favorable developments, along with the reasons and grounds for anticipating them.
First, the social implementation of generative AI and automation technologies is likely to advance to a stage where tangible improvements in productivity become widely felt. Between 2024 and 2025, many countries began establishing legal frameworks and guidelines for the use of AI. By 2026, these technologies are expected to move beyond the experimental phase and be fully integrated into everyday operations. In Japan, where labor shortages are particularly severe, AI-assisted tools are likely to be increasingly adopted in healthcare, eldercare, logistics, and public administration. This will help reduce the burden on workers while improving the quality and consistency of services, making AI a practical solution to the challenges of an aging society rather than a mere technological novelty.
Second, meaningful progress is expected in the fields of decarbonization and energy transition. Renewable energy, energy storage, and hydrogen-related technologies have largely moved beyond the research stage and are entering a phase of cost reduction and widespread deployment. Around 2026, especially in Europe and Japan, rising shares of renewable energy and broader adoption of energy-saving technologies are likely to be reflected in measurable data. This will reinforce the idea that environmental protection and economic growth are not mutually exclusive, challenging the long-held belief that climate policies inevitably impose economic burdens and instead encouraging long-term investment and job creation.
Third, Japanese society is likely to see further diversification in working and learning styles. Remote work and online education, which became widespread during the COVID-19 pandemic, are expected by 2026 to be firmly established as long-term options rather than temporary measures. Improved digital infrastructure will allow people living in regional areas to access employment and educational opportunities comparable to those in major cities. This greater flexibility will benefit younger generations, families with children, and older adults alike, and may contribute gradually but steadily to regional revitalization and population decentralization.
In addition, at the global level, there is a possibility that practical cooperation among nations will partially recover despite ongoing geopolitical tensions. In areas such as climate change mitigation, infectious disease prevention, and disaster response, cooperation remains a necessity even among rival states. By 2026, incremental agreements and joint projects in these fields are likely to accumulate. While dramatic breakthroughs or sweeping reconciliations may be unlikely, the preservation of a functional, if imperfect, international order would itself be a significant positive outcome for the world.
Overall, 2026 may not be marked by spectacular success stories, but it holds the potential for steady, grounded improvements across technology, environmental policy, and social systems. These cumulative changes could allow many people to feel that the near future is, in fact, more promising than they might have expected.
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https://blog.kuma-farm-japan.jp/article/519567018.html?1766769094