Nintendo is actively lobbying the Japanese government to combat generative AI, mainly to protect its intellectual property (IP) rights. This information comes from Satoshi Asano, a member of Japan’s House of Representatives.
Nintendo’s IP Concerns and Lobbying Efforts
Asano noted that Nintendo avoids using generative AI to safeguard its IP, adding that the company is involved in lobbying the government. The issue has gained traction as creators express concern over their rights.
In 2025, a notable lawsuit involved Yomiuri Shimbun suing Perplexity AI for using its articles without permission. Other major news outlets like Nikkei and Asahi Shimbun have also taken similar actions.
Government Initiatives and Industry Response
The Japanese Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry has created guidelines for using generative AI, advising checks for similarities between AI-generated content and copyrighted material. Companies such as DeNA are also developing AI tools based on their own data.
There is a growing movement to promote ethical AI practices, considering possible regulations to protect creators and their work in the future.
Maintaining a Human Touch in Game Development
Nintendo’s president, Doug Bowser, emphasized the importance of human involvement in game development, indicating that this will not change as generative AI evolves. Game designer Shigeru Miyamoto has also voiced similar sentiments.
The company is open to discussions with creators about the challenges posed by generative AI and seeks effective solutions moving forward.
