{"id":108824,"date":"2026-10-02T15:06:42","date_gmt":"2026-10-02T14:06:42","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/?p=108824"},"modified":"2026-10-02T15:06:44","modified_gmt":"2026-10-02T14:06:44","slug":"japan-court-ai-voice-publicity-rights","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/routenote.com\/blog\/japan-court-ai-voice-publicity-rights\/","title":{"rendered":"Tokyo court rules that a person\u2019s voice can be protected from AI cloning"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A landmark Tokyo court decision recognises voices as part of publicity rights, adding to the growing legal debate around AI-generated performances and artists\u2019 identities.<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

A person\u2019s voice can be protected under publicity rights in Japan, following a landmark court ruling that could have implications for AI-generated music and entertainment. The decision recognises that a performer\u2019s vocal identity can have commercial value, even as questions remain over how existing laws apply to AI-generated imitations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Tokyo District Court delivered its ruling on the 30th of September, following a lawsuit brought by actor and voice artist Kenjiro Tsuda against TikTok. The case is believed to be Japan\u2019s first legal challenge seeking to protect someone\u2019s vocal identity against AI-generated copies.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Why Kenjiro Tsuda took TikTok to court<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Tsuda, known for voicing Kento Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen<\/em> and Seto Kaiba in Yu-Gi-Oh! Duel Monsters<\/em>, filed his lawsuit in November 2025 over videos he said used an AI-generated imitation of his distinctive voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As The Guardian<\/a> reports, an anonymous TikTok account had published 188 videos between July 2024 and September 2025, featuring narration about urban legends, the occult and conspiracy theories. The account attracted more than 200,000 followers, and Tsuda\u2019s lawyers estimated it could have generated \u00a5500,000 to \u00a5750,000 per month through TikTok\u2019s view-based creator payouts.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

TikTok disputed the allegations, arguing that the videos used a generic male voice and that any resemblance to Tsuda was subjective. The platform also said the account holder claimed to have trained the voice model on a friend\u2019s voice.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What did the court actually decide?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The court ruled that a person\u2019s voice can fall under publicity rights when it is used specifically to exploit its commercial appeal. Presiding judge Aya Takahashi described the voice as a symbol of someone\u2019s personality, comparable to their likeness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the court dismissed Tsuda\u2019s request to have the videos removed. The anonymous account had already been deleted in May 2026, meaning there was nothing left for TikTok to take down. Crucially, the judgment did not determine whether Tsuda\u2019s own rights had actually been infringed, and he did not seek damages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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What the ruling means for AI-generated music<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The decision arrives as Japan looks to clarify how existing laws apply to generative AI. Music Business Worldwide<\/a> notes that in August, a Justice Ministry expert committee published guidance recognising that voices can be protected alongside likenesses, specifically highlighting unauthorised AI cover songs featuring singers\u2019 voices.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The issue is also playing out elsewhere. In the US, Tennessee\u2019s ELVIS Act introduced protections for artists\u2019 voices and likenesses against unauthorised AI use, while the proposed NO FAKES Act<\/a> seeks to establish federal protections.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It follows other legal challenges involving AI and artists\u2019 identities, including the lawsuit brought by Jason Isbell and other artists against Suno.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Jason Isbell and other artists sue Suno over AI use of their identities<\/a><\/blockquote>