Shrine Receives Death Threats Over AI-Generated Image

Japan Forward

5 days ago

Kurumazaki Shrine in Kyoto, known for its ties to the performing arts, came under fire in March after it used an AI-generated female character as its profile icon on X. The illustration showed a woman dressed as a shrine maiden (miko), posing amid falling cherry blossoms.
Kurumazaki Shrine is a popular destination for people in the entertainment industry praying for success.
The backlash was swift and intense, with the shrine's account flooded with angry comments like, 'Are you supporting generative AI?' and was taken down later that same day. The criticism quickly escalated into death threats, ultimately leading to an arrest.
"It's a betrayal to those who placed their faith [in the shrine]."
"Shameful."
These were among the many critical messages posted to the shrine's account. Many objected to the use of an AI-generated image, seeing it as an endorsement of generative AI. Even after the shrine deleted its account, the harassment continued. Dozens of threatening emails were sent — some containing extremely disturbing content.
One message read, "Your crappy shrine will one day mysteriously burn to the ground," and was accompanied by images of raging flames. In response, the shrine had to increase its security and patrols.
In July, Kyoto Prefectural Police arrested a 38-year-old unemployed man from Yasu City in Shiga Prefecture on charges of making death threats and obstructing business. He admitted to the allegations, saying he was angered by the shrine's apparent support for AI-generated artwork. Police found no personal connection between him and the shrine. The AI image that sparked the backlash. It has since been deleted. (Courtesy photo)
Generative AI tools, including conversational AI, allow users to create illustrations simply by entering a few keywords. These tools rely on technology that analyzes and synthesizes vast amounts of data. While they can improve productivity, they also raise concerns — ranging from misinformation and copyright infringement to potential job loss. These fears have sparked resentment in some circles.
The harassment didn't end with the shrine. After news of the arrest broke, the artist who had provided the AI-generated image also received threatening messages. One read, "Bring 3 million yen in cash and apologize at my house, or I'll kill you." Some messages even implied murder. Alarmed, the artist immediately contacted police. Rows of donated votive fence posts (tamagaki) at Kurumazaki Shrine — Ukyo Ward, Kyoto.
"This is way beyond a prank," he said. "It's not like I've done anything wrong."
He added, "Since AI learns from content online, similarities in illustrations can happen. But I never intentionally copy another artist's style."
Attorney Masashi Masuda, an expert on legal issues related to generative AI, said the criticism likely stems from the belief that AI art is "free-riding on the hard work of others."
However, he noted that AI-generated images are not automatically copyright violations unless they're intentionally made to imitate specific works. He emphasized that while public debate is important, much of the backlash against AI artists is based on misunderstanding.
Masuda welcomed the productivity gains AI can offer, but warned of the dangers of echo chambers — online spaces where certain opinions are amplified in isolation. "If people stop paying attention to human-made creations, it could stunt cultural progress," he said, calling for thoughtful and responsible use of the technology.
( Read the article in Japanese . )
Author: The Sankei Shimbun