The Tokyo District Court announced a landmark ruling, marking the first time Japan officially acknowledged the right to one’s own voice. The judgment arrives as voice actors grow uneasy about AI copies of their distinctive tones.

Kenjiro Tsuda – the actor famous for giving life to Kento Nanami in the hit anime “Jujutsu Kaisen” – filed a lawsuit after discovering an anonymous TikTok account called “Nanami” using an AI‑generated voice that sounded like his. The account posted more than 180 videos that narrated urban legends and paranormal stories.

The judge, Aya Takahashi, explained that a human voice works like a portrait: it reflects an individual’s personality. She said that using a voice without permission, especially to profit from its commercial appeal, infringes the actor’s publicity rights.

Although the court recognised Tsuda’s voice as a protected personal attribute, it rejected his request to have all the videos removed. The reason was practical – the TikTok account had already been shut down, so the videos could no longer be taken down.

The decision highlights a new legal frontier for AI‑generated content in Japan. By treating a voice as a personal right, the ruling may force creators and platforms to obtain explicit consent before cloning or distributing a performer’s voice, offering stronger protection for voice actors and other entertainers.