A cutting-edge artificial intelligence (AI) system has detected over 40,000 instances of celebrities' images used without permission in Japan. These digital portraits, used mostly for online advertising, were flagged by the advanced AI program that scans through multimedia content spewed across the internet. The tool is raising legal concerns around copyright infringement and ethical issues on the uncontrolled use of public figures' likenesses.

In Japan, the unauthorized use of celebrity images is seen as a violation of privacy and breach of copyright laws. It is believed to exploit their fame without their explicit consent and, to some extent, harm their reputation and brand image. The nation has strict guidelines and policies that protect individuals' likeness rights, especially public figures'. Besides legalities, there's immense respect for an individual's personal space and integrity, a tenet deeply ingrained in Japanese society.

In the US and EU, the unauthorized use of publicly known figures' images too is taken seriously. Copyright laws are strict and safeguards celebrities from exploitation. In the age of digital media, such laws are now being rigorously reviewed to counter technology-enabled breaches, much like Japan. Both regions value individual privacy rights and have laws protecting digital rights and intellectual property.