# Tokyo court rules AI voice clone violated actor Kenjiro Tsuda's rights

Digest AI · Policy & Regulation · published 2026-09-30T11:09:52Z

Canonical: https://digestai.news/story/tokyo-court-rules-ai-voice-clone-violated-actor-kenjiro-tsuda-s-rights

## Summary

A Tokyo district court ruled Wednesday that the unauthorized use of a performer's voice by AI can infringe on publicity rights, in a case brought by voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda against TikTok. Tsuda, known for voicing Kento Nanami in Jujutsu Kaisen, sued over 188 TikTok videos posted between July 2024 and September 2025 that he said cloned his distinctive baritone. The court agreed his voice is protected as a symbol of personality, but dismissed his request to remove the videos because the anonymous user had already deleted them after the suit was filed in November. TikTok argued the voice was generic and similarities were subjective. The platform said it will respect the judgment while reviewing details. Japan's voice actors have campaigned against unauthorized AI use of their voices and faces under the "No More" movement.

## Key points

- Tokyo court rules human voice protected under publicity rights in first such Japanese case
- Actor Kenjiro Tsuda sued TikTok over 188 videos allegedly cloning his voice for urban legend content
- Court dismissed removal request as user deleted videos; TikTok says it will respect the judgment

## Why it matters

First Japanese ruling recognizing voice as protected identity under publicity rights, setting precedent for voice actors against AI mimicry.

## Sources

1. [AI tool that copied actor’s ‘lustrous’ voice violated his rights, says Tokyo court](https://theguardian.com/technology/2026/sep/30/ai-tool-copied-actor-kenjiro-tsuda-tokyo-court) (The Guardian AI, 2026-09-30)

## Cite

Digest AI, "Tokyo court rules AI voice clone violated actor Kenjiro Tsuda's rights", 30 September 2026, https://digestai.news/story/tokyo-court-rules-ai-voice-clone-violated-actor-kenjiro-tsuda-s-rights

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