Japan raises copyright concerns with OpenAI over use of anime in AI models

The Japanese government told OpenAI to prevent violations of the rights of Japanese anime and manga creators and studios. Japanese users complained that the company’s new generative models can produce frames visually indistinguishable from popular anime.

Akihisa Shiozaki, a leader in Japan’s ruling party, reportedly tested OpenAI’s Sora 2 model. He found it generated anime-like characters, but avoided making those owned by major American companies (e.g., Mickey Mouse or Superman).

Shiozaki also warned that the government could invoke Article 16 of Japan’s AI Promotion Act, which allows authorities to investigate potential violations and require companies to explain cases in which artificial intelligence uses another company’s intellectual property without permission.