Full Breakdown
Japanese Court Recognizes Voice as Publicity Right in AI Cloning Case
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event: Tokyo District Court Dismisses Tsuda’s Claim While Declaring Voices Protected
On September 30, the Tokyo District Court ruled that the videos alleged to clone voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda’s baritone had already been removed from TikTok, so the plaintiff’s request for takedown was dismissed. The presiding judge, Aya Takahashi, nevertheless held that a person’s voice can be protected under Japan’s publicity-right framework, equating it with the right to control one’s portrait or likeness when used for commercial advantage.
Background & Context
Kenjiro Tsuda, best known for voicing Kento Nanami in the anime *Jujutsu Kaisen* and Seto Kaiba in *Yu-Gi-Oh!*, filed the suit in November 2025 after an anonymous TikTok account posted AI-generated videos that sounded “smooth, low-pitched” and “deep, husky,” traits Tsuda says are unique to his training. The case is the first in Japan to seek legal protection for a performer’s vocal identity.
Japan currently lacks a statute that expressly protects voice rights, but the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry have issued non-binding guidelines stating that voices may fall under “publicity rights” and the Unfair Competition Prevention Act. In October 2024, voice actors launched the “No More” campaign to oppose unauthorized AI replication of faces and voices.
Data & Statistics
- Number of videos: The complaint listed 188 AI-narrated clips uploaded between July 2024 and September 2025.
- Followers: The TikTok account amassed roughly 210,000 followers, surpassing 200,000 at its peak.
- Revenue: Tsuda’s legal team estimated monthly earnings of ¥500,000 – ¥750,000 (about US$3,000 – US$4,500) from the videos.
- Content: Clips combined images with narration about urban legends, occult topics, and conspiracy theories.
Official Statements & Responses
- Ministry of Justice expert panel released August guidelines interpreting existing law to cover voices as symbols of personality, thereby extending publicity-right protection to vocal traits.
- State Minister of Justice Hidehiro Mitani warned that placing the burden of proof on individual voice actors would be “too great.”
Criticism & Opposition
Voice-actor representatives expressed alarm that a ruling favoring TikTok could enable “unbridled” AI voice cloning, threatening the livelihood of performers. Bin Shimada, a member of the “No More” campaign, warned that the industry could be “crushed” if the precedent permits widespread copying. Veteran actor Michihiro Ikemizu echoed the sentiment, noting that the nuanced skill of feeling and adapting while performing cannot be replicated by AI.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Sources differ on the exact number of videos: the Guardian cites 188 clips, while another report mentions 190. Revenue estimates also vary, with one outlet reporting a range of ¥500,000 – ¥75,000 per month—a likely typographical error—contrasted with the consistent ¥500,000 – ¥750,000 figure elsewhere. No Japanese statute currently defines voice rights, leaving the court’s interpretation as the primary legal reference.
What’s Next
The court’s acknowledgment of vocal publicity rights establishes a precedent for future disputes involving AI-generated performances. Although the immediate claim was dismissed, the ruling is expected to influence ongoing discussions within the Ministry of Justice about formalising voice-protection legislation. Industry groups, including the International Federation of Actors, continue to monitor the case, urging other jurisdictions to adapt copyright and data-protection laws to address AI-driven voice cloning.
