# Japanese Firm Confirms Book Sales to AI Company

> Japanese book wholesaler Nippan Group sold books to U.S. AI firm Anthropic in 2024, unaware purchases were for AI training.
- Title: Japanese Firm Confirms Book Sales to AI Company | Shortify
- Summary: Japanese book wholesaler Nippan Group sold books to U.S. AI firm Anthropic in 2024, unaware purchases were for AI training. Nippan Group Holdings confirmed…
- Keywords: nippan group, anthropic, ai learning, book sales, japan, book wholesalers, ai firms, news, politics, world, Japanese, Firm
- Source: The Japan Times — https://japantimes.co.jp/business/2026/10/07/book-firm-anthropic
- Author: No Author
- Published: 2026-10-07T12:29:00+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: nippan group, anthropic, ai learning, book sales, japan, book wholesalers, ai firms, news, politics, world
## Nippan Group Confirms Book Sales
Nippan Group Holdings, a Japanese book wholesaler, confirmed it sold books to U.S. artificial intelligence firm Anthropic.
## Deal Concluded in November 2024
Nippan IPS, a subsidiary that sells Japanese books overseas, concluded a deal with Anthropic in November 2024.
## Book Sales Period
The books were sold to Anthropic between December 2024 and December 2025, according to sources.
## Purpose of Purchases Questioned
Before the deal, Nippan IPS asked about the purpose of the book purchases, the letter said.
## Unaware of AI Learning Use
Nippan Group stated the unit had not been aware that Anthropic’s purchases were for AI learning.
## Key takeaway

Nippan Group Holdings confirmed selling books to Anthropic between December 2024 and December 2025, unaware the purchases were for AI learning.