Nintendo Issues Statement Denying Lobbying Japanese Government on Generative AI

Nintendo, the global video game leader known for flagship hardware like the Nintendo Switch, has publicly addressed recent rumors concerning its engagement with generative AI policy in Japan.

On June 6th, Nintendo issued a clear statement on the company’s official X (formerly Twitter) account, responding to allegations that it had lobbied the Japanese government about generative AI, the burgeoning technology influencing various creative industries, including video game development.

The rumor began with a social media post by Japanese politician Satoshi Asano, who suggested that Nintendo had contacted officials regarding generative AI regulation.

Shortly after these claims began to circulate, Nintendo posted an official statement refuting the assertions.

In precise language, the company declared: contrary to speculation circulating online, Nintendo has not communicated with the Japanese government on the subject of generative AI.

The company went on to affirm its ongoing commitment to protecting its intellectual property, stating that regardless of whether generative AI is involved, Nintendo will consistently take the necessary steps to defend its intellectual property rights. In response to Nintendo’s public denial, Asano deleted his initial post and issued an apology, acknowledging that his information was inaccurate and pledging to better verify facts in the future.

He apologized to those affected and explained that he had taken down the original post to prevent ongoing dissemination of misinformation. This clarification from Nintendo arrives during a period of heightened industry discussion about generative AI’s role in digital content creation.

Concern has grown in the wake of platforms like OpenAI Sora 2, which has seen a surge of unofficial, user-generated videos featuring Nintendo’s intellectual properties.

Such incidents underscore the challenges companies face regarding copyright protection in the age of generative AI. Addressing the possible future of AI involvement in Nintendo’s creative process, Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser previously emphasized the irreplaceable value of human creativity in game development.

Speaking in April, Bowser reiterated the company’s philosophy: "We continue to believe that our developers’ artistic vision and understanding of how players engage with our games forms the essence of our creations.

There will always be a human touch at the core of Nintendo’s game development process." Nintendo’s public statement reinforces its stance on the responsible stewardship of its creative assets and clarifies its position regarding generative AI policy.

The company remains focused on safeguarding its intellectual property across platforms including the Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo eShop, and future hardware, ensuring both players and creators can enjoy Nintendo’s unique experiences with confidence in the integrity of their beloved brands.

Nintendo AI Japanese government generative AI Generative AI Satoshi Asano Doug Bowser OpenAI Sora 2 Nintendo Switch