A Tokyo court has issued a ruling affirming that the human voice is now protected under the right of publicity. This protection empowers individuals to control the use of their voices and profit from them, much like the face or image, which have long been recognized as legitimate assets.
This decision explicitly recognizes the voice as a legitimate identity asset, marking a partial victory for renowned voice actor Kenjiro Tsuda, known for his roles in *Jujutsu Kaisen* and *Yu-Gi-Oh!*.
However, the Tokyo court rejected Tsuda's request to delete the TikTok video because the content had already been taken down by the original user before the ruling was announced. Consequently, the court affirmed that TikTok was under no further obligation to delete the video in question.
Tsuda’s lawyer, Takashi Hirano, stated that the ruling appears to be a win for both parties. From a legal standpoint, Tsuda secured recognition that the voice is protected as a legitimate identity asset; practically speaking, TikTok is absolved of further liability regarding content that no longer exists.
This case marks a historic first in Japan regarding the protection of voice identity against AI-driven imitation. The Tokyo court’s decision sends a clear message to the entertainment industry: a voice is no longer merely a sound. Instead, it is recognized as an identity forged through years of training—one that is legally entitled to protection against unauthorized technological use.
This ruling not only represents a partial victory for Tsuda but also carries significant implications for the Japanese entertainment industry. It transcends individual interests, touching upon the status of voice actors (*seiyuu*) as icons with high commercial value. Their voices are not merely tools for work but identity assets that foster emotional connections with fans. This underscores the need for laws to protect voice identity in the era of AI technology.
