The AI betrayal of the artists who define Japan

The artists who expanded Japan’s global influence through the likes of Dragon Ball, Pokemon and Studio Ghibli need stronger copyright protection from tech companies.

- Catherine Thorbecke

Japan's artists have given the nation an outsize influence around the globe, with manga, anime and other cultural exports producing some of the world's most beloved figures - while its once-dominant technology sector sputtered.

From Dragon Ball to Pokemon to Studio Ghibli, this body of ingenuity emanating from the minds and hearts of its people is what has made Japan uniquely Japan. But now, its creative industries are under threat as the emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) tools makes it easy for anyone to mimic these art forms. The country must update its laws to protect the people whose works have defined its culture.

This fight for the future of arts in the AI era is playing out around the globe, but Japan's industry-friendly regulation - and the reach of its home-grown creative industry - has made it a battleground to watch. It can show leadership not by prioritising the data-hungry demands of tech companies, but by protecting the human artists whose products have inspired the world.

Currently, a vague update in 2018 to Japan's intellectual property (IP) law has been interpreted as allowing the widespread use of copyrighted materials to train AI tools without permission.

Some industry watchers say this open-armed approach is geared towards attracting tech firms. A sub-committee for the Agency for Cultural Affairs said it would review AI copyright issues and received nearly 25,000 public comments.