In Japan, some of the biggest names in entertainment and publishing are standing up to OpenAI. Studio Ghibli, Kadokawa, and other members of the Content Overseas Distribution Association, also known as CODA, are asking OpenAI to stop using their work to train its artificial intelligence models.

This move shows how creators are becoming more worried about how AI systems are learning from their content without permission.

The Growing Fight Between Artists and AI

AI tools like ChatGPT and Sora use huge amounts of online data to learn how to create text, images, or videos. This data often includes books, articles, pictures, and even film content that belong to others. Creators argue that when AI models use their work without approval, it is a form of digital copying that takes value away from their creativity.

Japan’s entertainment industry is one of the most creative in the world, from anime and manga to films and games. For companies like Studio Ghibli, known for movies such as Spirited Away and My Neighbor Totoro, the idea of AI models learning from their unique art style without permission is deeply worrying.

CODA’s Letter to OpenAI

CODA recently sent an official letter to OpenAI, asking the company to stop using copyrighted Japanese content in its AI training. CODA said that the works of Japanese creators are being used without consent and that this goes against copyright laws. They also expressed concern that the output from AI tools might copy or reproduce artistic elements from protected works.

CODA represents over 30 Japanese content companies, including Toho, Shueisha, and Kadokawa. Their goal is to protect Japanese culture and ensure that local creators are treated fairly in the new age of artificial intelligence.

The organization said it is not against AI technology itself. Instead, it wants AI developers to respect copyright and pay for the content they use. CODA’s statement explained that creators must have the right to decide whether their work is included in AI datasets.

Why Japan’s Creators Are Concerned

For many Japanese artists, AI tools feel like a threat to their livelihoods. When AI learns from their art, it can later generate new images or animations that look very similar. This makes it harder to tell what is original and what is generated. Some fear that this could reduce the demand for real artists, writers, and animators.

Japan has always taken intellectual property very seriously. Many anime studios, manga publishers, and game developers depend on copyright protection to survive. Allowing AI companies to freely use this content could damage the entire creative economy.

OpenAI’s Response and the Larger Debate

OpenAI has not shared many details about how it collects training data for its models. The company often argues that it follows the legal concept of “fair use,” which allows some limited copying for purposes like research or education. However, many experts say this does not apply when the goal is to build commercial AI tools.

This is not the first time OpenAI has faced such criticism. Earlier this year, several media organizations, including The New York Times, sued OpenAI for using their articles without permission. Artists and photographers in other countries have also filed lawsuits, saying that their works were used to train AI image models.

The situation in Japan could become another major challenge for OpenAI. Japan’s laws are stricter about using creative works, and public opinion is strongly in favour of protecting artists. If CODA continues to push, the company might have to adjust how it collects and uses data in the region.

The Bottom Line

This conflict between AI companies and creators is not just about money. It is about how society values human creativity in a time when machines can mimic almost anything. For Japan, where culture and craftsmanship are deeply respected, this issue touches national pride.

If companies like OpenAI want to win trust, they may need to build stronger partnerships with content creators. Paying for licenses or forming agreements, like the one between Getty Images and AI companies, could become the new standard.

AI will continue to shape the future of art, media, and communication. But that future must be built on fairness, respect, and transparency. Japan’s stand could set an example for how the world handles this growing issue.

For now, Studio Ghibli and other Japanese publishers have made their position clear. They want AI companies to stop using their creative work without permission. Their message is simple: respect the artists, protect creativity, and make sure technology grows in a way that honours those who inspire it.

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