Japan Actors Union publishes guidelines on generative AI and performers' voices

The Japan Actors Union (日本俳優連合), a cooperative of about 2,600 actors and voice actors, published 'Guidelines for the use of generative AI involving voices' (音声に関する生成AI利用ガイドライン). A photo caption on the page says they were announced at a press conference on 15 October 2026 at Geino Kadensha. The full text is version 1.0, dated 15 October 2026. The union says Japan has no statute that comprehensively protects a person's voice, that the guidelines are a voluntary standard, and that it will lobby for voice-rights legislation.

Prior permission from the performer, with the purpose stated, is required at every stage (training and input, generation, and publication or use) (Part 3, Articles 7, 8 and 9). The published text requires explicit written consent for learning, for building a voice replica, and for using the output in a project. The announcement says AI-generated voice use should be paid for as a form of performance (Part 5, Article 16). The text requires a written agreement on fees before use, separate from ordinary appearance fees. AI multilingual dubbing needs separate consent for each language (Part 4, Article 15). AI recreation of a deceased performer's voice requires strict permission from heirs or rights managers (Part 2, Article 6). The published article says that use is not allowed as a rule. A narrow exception, for a sequel already in production or a project the person had agreed to, needs prior written consent from the legal heirs and the agency the person belonged to, and a fee. Use in new works the person was not involved in is not allowed. Consent is in principle for at most one year. A longer period is allowed only where a long production, such as a game or an animation, needs it, and consent with no end date is not valid.

What it means for business: studios, dubbing firms and AI voice developers working with Japanese performers can expect these terms in contracts. It is an industry guideline, not a law.