Japan says overseas piracy of anime, manga, games, and counterfeit merchandise reached a record 10.4 trillion yen ($73 billion) in 2025, according to a study by the country’s Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry.
The report found that around 5.7 trillion yen worth of digital content was pirated internationally, nearly triple the amount estimated in 2022. For the first time, the government also included losses from fake “character goods” such as unlicensed figures, plushies, and anime merchandise, adding another 4.7 trillion yen to the total.
In response, Japanese officials are considering using AI to reduce production costs and strengthen the country’s global anime and gaming industry while fighting piracy more effectively. The government argues that cheaper AI-assisted production could help companies recover losses and secure more legitimate profits overseas.
The proposal has sparked debate across Japan. Critics argue AI-generated translations and automated content still struggle with quality and cultural nuance, while others believe stronger international anti-piracy enforcement matters more than lowering production costs.
Japan has already started investing in AI-powered anti-piracy systems. In late 2025, the country allocated funding for tools capable of detecting stolen manga pages and tracking where pirated content spreads online.
The push comes alongside Japan’s broader plan to expand its anime, manga, and gaming industries globally as part of a multi-billion-dollar cultural export strategy.