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Japan Deploys AI to Combat Costly Manga and Anime Piracy

A new pilot program aims to address billions in annual losses by using AI to detect and report pirated content online.

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In 2022, Japan's gaming, anime and manga sectors raked in 4.7 trillion yen ($30 billion) from abroad -- close to microchips exports at 5.7 trillion yen
One Piece and other Japanese manga are at the heart of a bold new AI initiative to combat online piracy

Overview

  • The Japanese Agency for Cultural Affairs has allocated ¥300 million ($2 million) to develop AI technology to detect pirated manga and anime online.
  • The AI system will use image and text recognition to identify unlicensed content and streamline takedown requests for rights holders.
  • Officials estimate that piracy costs Japan's manga and anime industries ¥2 trillion ($13.4 billion) annually, with 70% of pirate sites operating in foreign languages.
  • Inspired by South Korea's anti-piracy efforts, the pilot program could eventually expand to target other media like films and music if successful.
  • The initiative aligns with Japan's broader 'Cool Japan' strategy, which aims to boost cultural exports to ¥20 trillion ($130 billion) by 2033.