Japan Confronts OpenAI Over Sora 2's Anime Copyright Concerns

Japan's Formal Request to OpenAI

In a significant move to protect its cultural assets, the Japanese government has formally requested OpenAI to refrain from infringing on the copyrights of anime and manga content through its Sora 2 video generator 1

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. Minoru Kiuchi, Japan's Minister of State for Intellectual Property Strategy, revealed that the government made this request through the Cabinet Office's IP Strategy Promotion Secretariat 2

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The Sora 2 Controversy

OpenAI's Sora 2, launched on September 30, 2025, has sparked controversy due to its ability to generate high-quality videos that closely resemble copyrighted anime and manga characters 3

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. Users have been creating and sharing videos featuring popular characters like Super Mario, Pikachu, and others, raising concerns about potential copyright violations 1

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Japan's Stance on AI and Copyright

Despite Japan's progressive approach to AI, as evidenced by its AI Promotion Act aimed at boosting AI use for economic growth, the country is now taking a firm stance on protecting its intellectual property 2

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. Minister Kiuchi emphasized that anime and manga are "irreplaceable treasures" that Japan can be proud of worldwide 3

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OpenAI's Response and Policy Changes

In response to the growing concerns, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman announced policy changes on October 4, 2025. The company shifted from an opt-out to an opt-in model for character generation, giving rightsholders more granular control over how their characters are depicted 4

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. Altman also mentioned plans to monetize video generation and share revenue with rightsholders 4

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Legal and Political Implications

The issue has gained political attention in Japan, with Liberal Democratic Party Deputy Secretary-General Akihisa Shiozaki urging the government to exercise Article 16 of the AI Promotion Act. This article grants the government authority to request investigations and provide guidance in cases of AI-led copyright infringement 3

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Global Context of AI and Copyright

This controversy is part of a broader global debate on AI and copyright. Several lawsuits have been filed against AI companies, including OpenAI, for alleged copyright infringement during the training of large language models 4

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. A notable case in the US (Bartz v. Anthropic) resulted in a ruling that training AI models on purchased copyrighted works is fair use, but using pirated material is not 4

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Future Implications

As AI technology continues to advance, the tension between innovation and intellectual property protection is likely to intensify. Japan's actions may set a precedent for how other countries approach the regulation of AI-generated content and its impact on creative industries. The outcome of this situation could have far-reaching implications for the future of AI development and copyright law globally.