JASRAC Publishes Guidelines on AI-Generated Music — "Human Creative Contribution" Becomes the Axis

In June 2026, JASRAC published guidelines on how to treat tracks whose lyrics and music are generated by AI. Works lacking recognizable human creative contribution are not deemed copyrighted works — offering one benchmark for rights handling of AI music. ZEN Editorial summarizes the outline.

The guidelines frame works in which AI generates both lyrics and music from simple instructions alone, and which lack recognizable human creative contribution, as not constituting copyrighted works.

Japanese copyright law treats human creative involvement as a condition for rights to arise, a direction consistent with the Agency for Cultural Affairs' view.

It serves as a benchmark distinguishing cases where a creator uses AI as a tool with creative involvement from fully automated generation. It may also affect rights handling and contract practice.

Platforms such as Suno and Udio change their terms frequently, so users need to check the latest conditions. The guidelines help organize such practical matters.

ZEN Editorial will continue to follow, from a neutral standpoint, how the organization of AI and copyright affects the production field.

Sources: JASRAC official, Nikkei, and various reports.