Voice actors' voices cloned without permission via AI in Japan
Japanese voice actors including Megumi Ogasawara and Kenjiro Tsuda reported that their voices were cloned using generative AI and distributed without permission on social media and monetized. A Japanese Ministry of Justice expert panel convened to develop legal frameworks for protecting voice rights in the AI era.
What happened
Synthetic voices resembling prominent Japanese voice actors including Megumi Ogasawara, known for voicing the main character in Neon Genesis Evangelion, and Kenjiro Tsuda, known for roles in Jujutsu Kaisen, were generated using AI and distributed on social media platforms including TikTok and YouTube.
The synthetic voices were publicly posted and in some cases monetized without the actors' consent. Voice actors reported difficulty addressing the problem individually and called for their talent agencies to exercise rights on their behalf and for clearer standards to identify when their voices have been used.
Reported impact
Both established star voice actors and emerging young performers in the industry reported being targeted by unauthorized voice cloning, creating a threat affecting the industry as a whole.
The absence of explicit legal protections for voice rights created uncertainty about how such violations could be addressed.
Index analysis
The Japanese Ministry of Justice convened an expert panel on 28 May 2026 to discuss legal frameworks for liability regarding unauthorized use of voices and other features by generative AI, prompted by concerns about deepening unauthorized use of likenesses and voices.
The panel tasked itself with clarifying which cases of rights infringement constitute a basis for legal liability and examining how talent agencies could exercise voice rights on behalf of voice actors.
Governance controls
The Ministry of Justice indicated it would continue deliberations in June 2026 with panels of experts to develop guidelines on voice rights protection in the AI era.
Classification
Sources and evidence
This record was researched and written by the Index, based on the following original reporting.