Introduction
Japan's government has made a formal request to OpenAI demanding that Sora 2 stop infringing on copyrighted characters, following the widespread generation of videos depicting protected characters from popular anime and gaming franchises. Launched on October 1, 2024, Sora 2 is capable of creating 20-second videos at 1080p resolution with synchronized audio. Minoru Kiuchi, Japan's Minister of State for IP and AI Strategy, has described manga and anime as "irreplaceable treasures" that Japan showcases to the world.
Understanding Sora 2 and the Copyright Challenge
Sora 2 is an AI video generation model capable of producing 20-second videos at 1080p resolution with sound. Following its launch, social media platforms were flooded with user-generated videos featuring copyrighted characters from major franchises including One Piece, Demon Slayer, Pokémon, and Mario. This sparked significant backlash not only against OpenAI, but also against the Japanese government and IP holders for their perceived delayed response to the copyright infringement risks posed by AI.
Japan's Official Request Regarding Sora 2 and Copyright Violations
During a Japanese government Cabinet Office press conference, Minister Kiuchi announced the formal request to OpenAI, submitted through the Cabinet Office's Intellectual Property Strategy Headquarters. The communication urges OpenAI to cease copyright infringements on Japanese intellectual property. Kiuchi emphasized the cultural and commercial value of these assets: "We are a country that has captivated the world with the creative power of anime, games, and music."
Digital Minister Masaaki Taira expressed hope that OpenAI would take voluntary action, indicating that measures under Japan's AI Promotion Act could be invoked if the issue remains unresolved.
Japan's AI Promotion Act: Regulatory Framework
Fully enforced from September 1, 2025, Japan's AI Promotion Act aims to make Japan the world's most "AI-friendly country" by promoting the development and utilization of AI technologies for socio-economic growth. However, it also establishes principles for addressing problematic AI use, including copyright infringement.
Article 16 of the act authorizes the government to "analyze cases in which citizens' rights or interests have been infringed upon through research, development, or utilization of AI-related technology conducted for improper purposes or by inappropriate methods, and consider countermeasures based on those analyses." However, as noted by the Future of Privacy Forum, the act does not specify clear penalties for AI misuse, but instead calls on business operators to cooperate voluntarily with such measures.
Political and Industry Reactions to Sora 2
Akihisa Shiozaki, a member of Japan's ruling LDP party with a seat in the Diet, has written extensively about Sora 2 and its legal implications on his official X account, noting that "the release of Sora 2 has once again highlighted the issue of AI and copyright." However, he also framed this challenge as an opportunity: "Japan bears a responsibility to take the lead on making rules (related to AI and copyright infringement), precisely because we are a country that has captivated the world with the creative power of anime, games, and music."
Nintendo issued an official statement in response to accusations of lobbying from Satoshi Asano, a member of Japan's House of Representatives, denying any government contact and affirming that it will continue to take "necessary actions against infringement of our intellectual property rights."
OpenAI's Response and Future Plans for Sora 2
In an October 4 blog post, OpenAI CEO Sam Altman stated that changes would be made to the video generation tool in the near future. "First, we will give rightsholders more granular control over generation of characters, similar to the opt-in model for likeness but with additional controls," Altman confirmed, adding that OpenAI will provide rightsholders "the ability to specify how their characters can be used (including not at all)."
"In particular, we'd like to acknowledge the remarkable creative output of Japan — we are struck by how deep the connection between users and Japanese content is!"
Sam Altman, CEO of OpenAI
Altman acknowledged that there might be "some edge cases" of character depiction slipping through the cracks but that these would be resolved over time. At the time of writing, there has been no formal response from OpenAI to Japan's most recent official request.
Background: The Legal Battle Over Copyright and Generative AI
The issue of copyright and Sora 2 is not isolated. Reuters reported on September 29 that OpenAI contacted studios and talent agencies a week before Sora 2's launch, offering them an opt-out option. However, it was not specified which studios were contacted, and it remains unclear whether major Japanese creative companies were included.
In parallel developments, Disney and Universal have sued Midjourney, alleging the company improperly used and distributed AI-generated characters from their films. Disney also sent a cease and desist letter to Character.AI, warning the startup to stop using its copyrighted characters without authorization. Mark Lemley, a professor at Stanford Law School, told CNBC: "A lot of the videos that people are going to generate of these cartoon characters are going to infringe copyright. OpenAI is opening itself up to quite a lot of copyright lawsuits by doing this."
Pokémon Company formally responded to unauthorized use of Ash Ketchum and the series' theme tune by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security in a video depicting arrests and law enforcement action, stating: "Our company was not involved in the creation or distribution of this content, and permission was not granted for the use of our intellectual property."
Global Implications and Future Perspectives
Japan's move represents a pivotal moment in the global regulation of generative AI. As a nation with an enormous base of creative intellectual property, Japan is setting an important precedent for how governments can address copyright violations committed by AI systems. The challenge will be balancing technological innovation with the protection of creators' and IP holders' rights.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sora 2 and Copyright
What exactly is Japan's government requesting from OpenAI regarding Sora 2?
Japan's government is requesting that OpenAI stop Sora 2 from generating copyright-infringing content, specifically preventing the video generator from creating videos depicting protected characters from Japanese anime, manga, and video games.
Which characters have been improperly used by Sora 2?
Characters including Ash Ketchum from Pokémon, protagonists from One Piece and Demon Slayer, and Mario from Nintendo games have been depicted in videos generated by Sora 2 without authorization.
What does Japan's AI Promotion Act say about copyright protection?
The act, which came into full effect on September 1, 2025, authorizes the government to analyze cases of rights violations through improper AI use and consider countermeasures, but does not specify clear penalties, preferring voluntary cooperation from operators.
What has Sam Altman from OpenAI said in response to Japan's copyright concerns about Sora 2?
Altman has not yet issued a direct response to Japan's most recent official request. In his October 4 blog post, he promised granular character controls and thanked Japan for its "remarkable creative output."
Did OpenAI contact rightsholders before launching Sora 2?
Reuters reported that OpenAI contacted studios and talent agencies a week before launch, offering an opt-out option, but it remains unclear whether major Japanese studios were included in these outreach efforts.
What other companies have taken legal action regarding AI copyright violations?
Disney and Universal sued Midjourney; Disney sent a cease and desist to Character.AI; Pokémon Company protested unauthorized use by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.
What are the consequences if OpenAI fails to comply with Japan's request?
If OpenAI does not act voluntarily, Japan may invoke measures under its AI Promotion Act, including formal case analysis and countermeasures. However, the act does not specify clear penalties.
How does the Japanese government characterize the importance of anime and manga in the context of the Sora 2 request?
The Japanese government describes manga and anime as "irreplaceable treasures" that Japan showcases to the world, emphasizing their extraordinary cultural and economic value.