Is Japan switching from Windows to Linux?
Not that we can confirm. Windows has long run most of the Japanese government’s PCs and servers. Around 2002 the government studied open-source systems such as Linux, and METI planned testing at a research institute, and the Linux Foundation partnered with a government-backed agency. We found no recent plan to replace Windows.
Scope: Government computer networks. Updated Oct 6, 2026.
What operating system does Japanese government use?
- Windows
Reported as the operating system for most government PCs and servers.
Japan’s Linux timeline
- ~2002
The government begins studying open-source operating systems; METI plans tests at AIST.
What is still unclear
This is a general picture, not a measurement.
- Our sources are mostly from the early 2000s, so this page is the thinnest in the tracker.
Could Japan switch to Linux in the future?
No move is confirmed. These are the signals that would show a change:
- A Digital Agency policy on open-source software
- A pilot in a ministry or prefecture
Sources
Japan: common questions
Is Japan switching to Linux?
We found no current move. Japan studied open-source systems in the early 2000s, but Windows remained dominant.
Will Japan use Linux in the future?
Possible, but there is no current signal beyond older studies.
Other countries
Want to try it yourself? Read how to switch from Windows to Linux.