Key information
The Japan Actors Union officially released new guidelines on 15 regarding the use of generative AI for voice acting. Announced at a press conference in Tokyo, these measures aim to protect the rights and dignity of actors and voice performers against unauthorized AI usage while providing clear operational standards for developers and production companies.
The guidelines mandate that voice providers must grant prior consent for all stages of AI learning, generation, and distribution. Furthermore, AI-generated voice usage is classified as a new form of performance, requiring fair compensation. The union also established protocols for multilingual AI dubbing to preserve artistic integrity and prevent unauthorized international distribution, alongside strict ethical standards requiring consent from heirs for the AI restoration of deceased performers' voices.
Currently, Japan lacks specific legislation protecting human voices, unlike existing portrait rights laws. This legal vacuum has led to an increase in the unauthorized collection and training of voice data. The union argues that waiting for government regulation is insufficient, necessitating these self-imposed standards to ensure transparency and fairness for all industry stakeholders.
Beyond establishing these internal industry rules, the Japan Actors Union intends to intensify its advocacy efforts. The organization plans to lobby the government and relevant institutions to push for the formal legal recognition of voice rights.
