The Cultural Affairs Agency has proposed a ¥300 million (US$2 million) pilot program to use AI-driven image and text detection systems to identify pirated content online.
According to domestic publishers, over 1,000 websites offer illegal downloads of Japan’s globally popular manga and anime. Keiko Momii, a representative from the agency, highlighted the limitations of current efforts.
“Copyright holders spend a significant amount of human resources trying to manually detect pirated content online,” she said, adding that human moderators are struggling to keep pace with the rapid spread of illegal materials.
If the program proves successful, it could expand to other sectors like film and music piracy. Inspired by a similar initiative in South Korea, this project aligns with Japan’s “Cool Japan” strategy, which aims to position cultural exports as a key driver of economic growth.
In 2022, Japan’s gaming, anime, and manga industries generated ¥4.7 trillion in international revenue, rivaling the country’s microchip exports at ¥5.7 trillion. The government’s revised strategy targets ¥20 trillion in cultural asset exports by 2033, highlighting the importance of protecting intellectual property.
Japanese publishers report that approximately 70% of piracy sites offering their content operate in foreign languages, including English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. By using AI, Japan hopes to safeguard its creative industries, which are seen as vital to the nation’s economy and global cultural influence.
