Japan to Use AI to Police Anime and Manga Pirating Websites
Pilot Scheme Aims to Combat Illegal Content Sharing
Japan is planning to use artificial intelligence (AI) to police anime and manga pirating websites, which the country’s pop-culture industry accuses of costing it billions of dollars in lost revenue every year. The move is part of a 300-million-yen pilot scheme proposed by Tokyo’s cultural agency to detect and combat illegal content sharing online.
Massive Scale of Piracy
Domestic publishers claim that there are at least 1,000 websites illegally offering free downloads of Japanese content, mostly its globally-renowned manga graphic novels. This illegal activity is a significant concern for the Japanese government, which sees the creative industries as a driver for growth on par with steel and semiconductors.
Current Challenges in Detection
Copyright-holders currently spend a significant amount of human resources trying to manually detect pirated content online. However, human moderators can "barely keep up" with the constantly proliferating illegal content, making it essential to find a more efficient solution.
AI-Powered Detection System
The proposed pilot scheme features an image and text detection system that will use AI to scan the web for sites pirating manga books and anime cartoons. This technology has been inspired by a similar project in South Korea and could potentially be applied to other illegally shared films and music.
Impact on Exports
The Japanese government is keen to boost exports of these cultural assets, with a revised "Cool Japan" strategy aiming to increase exports to 20 trillion yen by 2033. In 2022, Japan’s gaming, anime, and manga sectors raked in 4.7 trillion yen from abroad, close to microchips exports at 5.7 trillion yen.
Language Breakdown of Pirating Sites
Around 70% of pirating sites offering Japanese content operate in foreign languages, including English, Chinese, and Vietnamese. This highlights the global reach of the problem and the need for effective solutions to combat it.
Conclusion
Japan’s decision to use AI to police anime and manga pirating websites is a significant step in the fight against online piracy. The country’s creative industries are a vital part of its economy, and it is essential to protect the intellectual property rights of creators and artists. The success of this pilot scheme could pave the way for similar initiatives in other countries and industries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How many websites are illegally offering free downloads of Japanese content?
A: At least 1,000 websites, according to domestic publishers.
Q: What is the goal of the pilot scheme?
A: To use AI to detect and combat illegal content sharing online.
Q: What is the potential impact on Japan’s exports of cultural assets?
A: The government aims to increase exports to 20 trillion yen by 2033.
Q: What is the current challenge in detecting pirated content online?
A: Human moderators can "barely keep up" with the constantly proliferating illegal content.