Anime actor fights TikTok over AI voice cloning
Japanese anime voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda is suing TikTok over AI voice clones. He alleges videos featuring his "lustrous" baritone were posted without permission. Tsuda seeks removal of these videos, arguing they infringe his publicity rights. The anonymous account, now removed, generated over 500,000 yen (US$3,179) monthly. A Tokyo District Court verdict is due on Wednesday, September 28, 2026.
This lawsuit tests Japan's new AI guidelines. The Ministry of Justice recently clarified that voice is protected under existing publicity rights. TikTok's defense that the voice is "generic" directly challenges this interpretation. The court's decision will determine the practical weight of these non-binding guidelines.
A ruling for Tsuda strengthens the position of Japan's creative industries. The "No More" campaign by the Japan Actors Union shows widespread industry concern. A TikTok loss could force platforms to implement stricter content moderation for AI-generated audio. This would set a precedent for other Asian markets grappling with similar issues, like South Korea's entertainment sector.
The thing to watch is how the Tokyo District Court interprets "national fame" and "unfair competition." TikTok disputes Tsuda's claim of national fame. A narrow ruling could limit protections to only the most globally recognized figures. This would leave many regional artists vulnerable to AI cloning.
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