Kenjiro Tsuda AI media incident — Oct 2026

Veteran voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda initiated legal action against a TikTok account that utilized generative AI to imitate his voice in videos without his consent. This incident highlights the growing tension between emerging AI technologies and the rights of performing artists in Japan.

What happened

The incident involved the unauthorized use of generative AI to create voiceovers that mimicked Kenjiro Tsuda, a prominent voice actor known for roles such as Seto Kaiba and Kento Nanami. The content was distributed via a TikTok account, leading Tsuda to file a lawsuit against the operator. In response to the legal challenge, the platform reportedly argued that the audio in question was merely a generic male voice rather than a direct imitation. This case serves as a high-profile example of the broader challenges facing the industry, as Japan currently lacks specific laws that directly protect voice rights. The incident has become a catalyst for the Japan Actors Union to push for stronger legal reforms and industry-wide guidelines to prevent the unauthorized use of performers' voices and likenesses.