Overview
- Tsuda filed the suit with the Tokyo District Court last November and the case was made public in late May, with a first public argument expected within roughly three months.
- The complaint says a single TikTok account posted about 188 narrated videos between July 2024 and September 2025 that used a voice the plaintiff’s team says mimics Tsuda.
- Tsuda’s lawyers cite an audio analysis they say shows the AI output closely resembles his deep, mellow voice and argue the uploads violated his publicity rights and Japan’s Unfair Competition Prevention Law (Article 2.1).
- TikTok Japan disputes the claim, saying the clips use a generic male voice and declining further comment while the company responds through the court process.
- Japan’s Justice Ministry set up an expert panel in April to clarify civil-claim procedures for unauthorized AI voice use and this case could set legal and platform moderation precedents and affect how voice actors are compensated.