PRESS CONFERENCE
Japanese Creators Speak Out on Generative AI

Mitsuru Yaku, Honorary Chairman of the Freelance League of Japan
Yukari Nishino, Chairman of the Freelance League of Japan
Masayuki Takada, Director of the Freelance League of Japan

11:00-12:00 Tuesday, January 20, 2026
Language: The speech and Q & A will be in Japanese with English interpretation.

The Foreign Correspondents' Club of Japan welcomes members and the press to a news conference on an issue of pressing importance to all journalists and content creators, the use of their work in training generative AI.

The speakers from the Freelance League of Japan will present the results of a nationwide survey of freelance content creators on the impacts of generative AI, the use of their work as training data, and how AI will alter their jobs in the future. The survey collected responses from 25,000 creators, including illustrators, musicians, manga artists and animators as well as video and print journalists. 

While generative AI is much in the news of late, the survey takes a deep look at how creators actually feel its effects. The results reveal the ways in which AI is changing how their work is used and valued, raising questions about intellectual property, income stability, attribution, and fairness. The speakers will also address the failure of Japanese laws and industry rules to keep up with the rapid expansion of AI training practices.

Please come to hear the latest insights on Japan's social expectations toward AI developers and the policy challenges the country faces as generative AI expands globally.

How to attend: 
Please register by emailing front@fccj.or.jp with your name and the name of your media outlet. FCCJ members should also include their membership number. Doors will open 15 minutes before the event.

How to watch online: https://www.youtube.com/c/FCCJchannel/live

How to ask questions: https://forms.gle/RQXNuDe6HUsEtysGA
 　
TV crew: Please make a reservation at front@fccj.or.jp. Doors open for TV crews only at 30 minutes before the event. FCCJ will limit live-streaming of FCCJ-hosted press conferences to Club members only. Non-members will no longer be permitted to live-stream these events. However, non-members may still film for reporting purposes and use footage after the press conference.

Professional Activities Committee