Japan Considers Legislation to Ban Unauthorized AI Generation of Ghibli-Style Images

April 21, 2025 – Sources within the Japanese government have indicated that the nation is contemplating the enactment of legislation to prohibit the unauthorized use of artificial intelligence to generate images in the style of Studio Ghibli. This move aims to bolster copyright protection for the renowned anime IP and address the intellectual property disputes arising from AI-generated content.

Studio Ghibli, a cornerstone of the Japanese animation industry, is globally celebrated for its distinctive hand-drawn aesthetic, intricate scene design, and imaginative character creations. In recent years, the proliferation of AI image generation technology has led to a surge of online content mimicking the Ghibli style, encompassing character likenesses and scenic illustrations. A portion of these unauthorized creations has been used for commercial purposes or secondary dissemination, sparking debate regarding copyright ownership and the protection of original works.

This legislative initiative specifically targets the act of "using the artistic style of a specific rights holder without permission for AI generation with the intent to profit," seeking to bring it under the purview of copyright law. According to preliminary proposals, any image generated through AI technology that replicates or imitates copyrighted characters, scenes, or visual elements owned by Studio Ghibli, without official authorization, would be considered an infringement. Violators could face penalties of up to 5 million yen (approximately $32,000 USD) in fines or imprisonment for up to three years.

An official from Japan's Agency for Cultural Affairs stated that this measure is not intended to negate the innovative value of AI technology. Instead, it seeks to address the current lag in the copyright system when confronted with generative AI, thereby protecting the rights of creators by establishing clear legal boundaries. Studio Ghibli has previously issued multiple statements regarding the misuse of AI to replicate its artistic style, emphasizing that "animation creation embodies the painstaking efforts of countless creators, and AI-generated content should not become an unauthorized commercial tool."

Reactions within the industry have been mixed. On one hand, animation professionals generally support stronger copyright protection, believing it will help safeguard the motivation for original creation. On the other hand, some technology developers express concern that overly strict legislation could hinder the legitimate application of AI in the cultural and creative sectors. The proposed bill is currently in the draft review stage and is expected to be submitted to the National Diet for a vote in the latter half of 2025.

With the rapid global growth of AI-generated content, finding a balance between technological innovation and intellectual property protection has become a common challenge for many nations. Japan's legislative attempt offers a potential framework for resolving copyright disputes related to AI generation of specific IP and has also sparked deeper discussions about whether artistic "style" should be subject to copyright protection.