Japan has emerged as the third-highest contributor to global traffic on websites that create explicit deepfakes using generative AI, according to a survey by The Yomiuri Shimbun. The survey revealed over 18 million visits from Japan to such platforms between December 2023 and November 2024. Only the United States (59.73 million) and India (24.57 million) recorded higher numbers.
Alarming Rise in Deepfake Content
Deepfake websites, which allow users to alter images and create sexually explicit content, have proliferated rapidly. The survey identified 41 such platforms, with more than half launched in 2024. An analysis by Similarweb Ltd., a digital analytics firm, found that nearly 410,000 Japanese users accessed these sites monthly, predominantly through smartphones.
The ease of creating deepfakes is facilitated by AI-powered tools that accept uploaded images and generate altered versions. Most instructions are provided in English, Russian, and Japanese, enabling wide accessibility.
Global Concern Over Deepfake Exploitation
The rise of deepfake pornography is a growing concern worldwide. A report by U.S.-based cybersecurity firm Security Hero highlighted a staggering increase in deepfake videos, with 95,820 detected online in 2023—five and a half times the number recorded in 2019. Shockingly, 98% of these videos were sexually explicit.
Calls for Regulation and Awareness
Experts are sounding alarms about the societal harm caused by these technologies. Ichiro Sato, a professor at the National Institute of Informatics, emphasized the urgent need for laws to curb the misuse of deepfake technology. “Japan must draft regulations and improve information literacy to combat the rise of harmful AI-generated content,” Sato stated.
Countries worldwide are beginning to implement laws targeting the production and dissemination of deepfakes. Japan, facing mounting pressure, is expected to follow suit to address this digital menace and protect its citizens from exploitation.
The growing accessibility of AI tools for creating explicit content has underscored the importance of proactive measures to ensure responsible use of technology.
