AI Companion Users Surpass 200 Million: Japan First to Establish Digital Relationship Legal Framework

AI Companion Users Surpass 200 Million: Japan First to Establish Digital Relationship Legal Framework

On March 4, 2028, the Digital Companions Association (DCA), a global AI companion industry research body, reported that registered users across AI companion platforms worldwide had surpassed 210 million, with 87 million monthly active users — a 4x increase from 2026.

The world's largest AI companion platform, Replika, reported that its users average 47 minutes of daily conversation with their AI companions, with 38% saying their AI companion 'understands them better than human friends.' China's 'Xinyu' platform reported 56 million registered users, 60% of whom are aged 18-30.

Japan's Ministry of Justice announced the Digital Relations Law on the same day — the world's first legislation specifically governing human-AI emotional relationships. The law recognizes AI companions as 'special digital entities,' grants users full ownership of their AI companion conversation data, and prohibits platforms from deleting or modifying an AI companion's 'personality' without user consent.

Japan's Justice Minister stated: 'We are not judging whether forming emotional relationships with AI is right or wrong — we are simply establishing a legal framework for a social phenomenon that already exists.'

Social Impact

The rapid growth of the AI companion industry has sparked broad social debate. Supporters argue AI companions can help alleviate loneliness, particularly for elderly people living alone and those with social difficulties. A survey by Japan's National Institute of Population and Social Security Research showed that elderly people using AI companions had depression scores averaging 34% lower.

Critics, however, warn that AI companions could worsen social isolation. Professor Tanaka Akihiko of the University of Tokyo's Social Psychology Department said: 'When people can obtain unconditional emotional support from AI, they may lose the motivation to build relationships with real people. The long-term impact on social structures is concerning.'

Ethical Controversy

The 'personality simulation' of AI companions has raised ethical concerns. Some users develop deep emotional dependencies on their AI companions, and when platform updates cause personality changes, users experience reactions similar to bereavement. A late-2027 Replika system update that caused some users' AI companions to 'lose their memories' triggered mass user complaints.

DCA has recommended the industry adopt a 'personality consistency guarantee' standard ensuring AI companions' core personality traits don't change due to system updates. Both Replika and 'Xinyu' have expressed support for the standard.