The 17 major Japanese publishers, including Kadokawa, Kodansha, Shogakukan, Shueisha, Square Enix, Hakusensha, and others, along with two major associations, such as the Japan Cartoonists Association and The Association of Japanese Animations, have issued a joint statement expressing deep concern over the growing issue of generative AI and copyright infringement.
The statement, released on October 31, 2025, follows the launch of OpenAI’s image-generation model “Sora 2”, which has sparked controversy in Japan for allegedly creating visuals resembling popular anime and manga works.
Publishers noted that Sora 2 uses an opt-out system, meaning copyrighted works could be included in training data and output unless rights holders specifically request removal — a method they claim violates both Japanese copyright principles and WIPO (World Intellectual Property Organization) standards.
The following companies issued a statement regarding ongoing issue:
Japan Cartoonists Association / The Association of Japanese Animations / Akita Shoten / Ichijinsha / Ohzora Publishing / Kadokawa / Coamix / Kodansha / Shogakukan / Shonen Gahosha / Shinchosha / Square Enix / Takeshobo / TO Books / Nihon Bungeisha / Hakusensha / Futabasha / Houbunsha / Leed Publishing Co.
“We do not reject the progress of generative AI,” the statement reads. “However, the use of copyrighted works without clear permission or transparency undermines creators’ rights and cultural trust.”
Publishers’ Three Core Demands
The group outlined three major principles they believe AI companies must follow:
- Obtain proper authorization from rights holders at both the training and publishing stages.
- Ensure full transparency regarding training data sources and methods.
- Provide fair compensation to creators and publishers when their works are used.
They also emphasized that AI systems should shift from “opt-out” to “opt-in”, requiring explicit permission before using copyrighted material. Without such safeguards, they warned, generative AI risks eroding the foundation of creative industries.
The publishers reaffirmed their commitment to protect creators through legal and ethical means, stating they will take appropriate action against any copyright violations, including unauthorized AI usage.
“Our stance is not to reject technology,” the statement adds, “but to protect the dignity and efforts of every creator who contributes to culture.”
Looking ahead, the coalition vowed to continue fostering collaboration among creators, AI developers, and government agencies to create a fair, transparent, and sustainable creative environment in the age of AI.
Source: Oricon
