Japanese Voice Actors Fight Back Against Unauthorized AI…
Japanese voice actors are launching official AI voice services to combat unauthorized cloning and protect their intellectual property rights
- Incident date
- Jul 2026
- Target
- Genjiro Tsuda
In response to the proliferation of unauthorized AI-generated voice content, prominent Japanese voice actors are launching official synthetic voice services to reclaim control over their likeness and establish new revenue models. This strategic shift aims to counter the rise of pirated voice content by providing licensed alternatives that allow for legitimate creative use.
What happened
The unauthorized cloning of popular voice actors' voices for social media and video platform content has become a significant issue, often driven by the pursuit of view counts and advertising revenue. Identifying and holding anonymous posters accountable has proven difficult, as evidenced by a lawsuit filed last year by voice actor Genjiro Tsuda against TikTok, which sought the removal of videos imitating his voice.
To address this, voice actor Daisuke Namikawa is launching "Polyphony," an official AI voice service developed over a year of recording and training to replicate emotional expression and breathing patterns. The service requires users to submit intended purposes and scripts, with contracts prohibiting unauthorized or malicious use. Revenue from Polyphony is shared among rights holders, including the actor, their agency, and the partner IT firm.
Industry-wide efforts are also underway. The Japan Actors Union, in cooperation with Itochu Corporation, began building a database in November 2025 that utilizes electronic watermarks and voice fingerprint technology to prevent illegal use. Other notable figures, such as Yuki Kaji, have also entered the space, launching synthetic voice software and establishing companies like "Soyogi Fractal" to manage official AI projects.
Legal frameworks remain in flux; while the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has indicated that publicity rights could apply to voices, no clear law is currently established. The Ministry of Justice has initiated expert meetings to review legal responsibilities regarding unauthorized voice usage. Industry experts suggest that the existence of official AI services will provide a clearer baseline for proving damages, potentially simplifying future legal responses to copyright infringement.