TL;DR
- The Japanese government has formally requested OpenAI to take immediate measures preventing copyright infringement via its video-generation tool Sora 2.
- The request specifically focuses on concerns that Sora 2 is being used to generate high-quality videos replicating anime, manga and game characters without permission.
- Japanese ministers stressed that anime and manga are “irreplaceable treasures” of the nation and warned that failure to comply could trigger regulatory action under the AI Promotion Act.
What’s the issue?
On October 1, 2025, OpenAI released Sora 2, a video-generation model capable of creating short, high-definition video clips with sound. Reports quickly emerged that users were producing content featuring recognizable characters from anime and video games — in some cases with little modification or context.
In response, Japan’s Cabinet Office, via the Intellectual Property Strategy Promotion Secretariat, requested that OpenAI:
- Move from an opt-out model (where rights-holders must ask to be excluded) to an opt-in model (where inclusion requires permission) for Japanese IP.
- Ensure mechanisms are in place for rights-holders to have their works removed or blocked from generation if they choose.
- Respect that anime, manga and game-related IP are cultural exports and economic assets for Japan.
Minister Minoru Kiuchi (IP & AI Strategy) stated:
“Anime and manga are irreplaceable treasures that we can be proud of around the world.”
He added that Japan may invoke regulatory powers under the AI Promotion Act if voluntary compliance is insufficient.
Why it matters
- Cultural and economic value: Japan’s anime, manga and game industries are both globally influential and economically significant. The government’s stance signals that infringement concerns extend beyond individual works to national heritage.
- AI oversight precedent: This is one of the first major formal requests by a government to a major AI company concerning generative video tools and IP rights. The outcome may shape wider global regulatory approaches.
- Rights-holder pressure: Content creators and major studios in Japan are already vocal about AI tools replicating their characters without licensing deals or compensation. The government’s involvement increases the legal and reputational pressure on OpenAI.
What happens next?
OpenAI has not yet publicly announced detailed measures in response to Japan’s request. However:
- The company previously committed to offering “more granular control” for rights-holders over character generation in Sora 2.
- Japanese officials suggest that if voluntary compliance is insufficient, they will use Article 16 of the AI Promotion Act, which allows for investigations into improper AI use.
- Creators and studios in Japan may leverage this moment to demand licensing frameworks or compensation models for AI-generated uses of their works.
