Imagine your favorite anime character suddenly popping up in an AI-generated video without the creator’s permission. That’s exactly what has Japan worried, and they’ve now officially told OpenAI to stop. Protecting Japan’s creative treasures Japan’s government has formally asked OpenAI to stop using Japanese anime and manga styles in its AI tools. Minoru Kiuchi, Japan’s Minister of State for Intellectual Property and AI Strategy, said at a press conference last week: Anime and manga are irreplaceable treasures. We must protect them. Japan sees these art forms as more than entertainment; they’re a key part of its cultural identity and economy. Sora 2 sparks social media storm The warning comes after OpenAI launched ‘Sora 2,’ an AI video generator that lets users create realistic anime-style clips. People quickly started generating videos that closely resembled popular franchises like One Piece, Demon Slayer, and Pokémon. Social media exploded with these AI-created clips, raising serious copyright concerns. Legal concerns Japan’s concern isn’t just cultural, it’s legal. Lawmakers have tested Sora 2 and found that it can produce recognisable Japanese characters while ignoring American icons like Mickey Mouse or Superman.
Akihisa Shiozaki, an intellectual property lawyer and lawmaker, said: This imbalance is a serious copyright problem. Under Japan’s Copyright Act and the new AI Promotion Act (effective September 1, 2025), authorities can investigate AI tools that infringe on creators’ rights, although the law currently relies on voluntary cooperation from companies rather than strict penalties. OpenAI’s position OpenAI has faced criticism globally for using creative works to train its AI models. Its old “opt-out” policy made it hard for creators to prevent their work from being used.
While CEO Sam Altman has praised Japan’s creative culture as “remarkable,” Japan’s government insists that respecting intellectual property is non-negotiable. Tech companies to respect intellectual property Japan’s warning is part of a growing global conversation about AI and copyright. As AI tools like Sora 2 become more advanced, creators and governments are demanding that tech companies respect intellectual property and obtain permission before using artists’ work. The message is clear: Japan wants OpenAI, and all tech companies, to keep their hands off its cultural treasures unless permission is granted.
