The tension between the Japanese government and the White House over the use of anime images has just scaled. The President of the United States, Donald Trump, published a video generated apparently with artificial intelligence where he appears dressed as the protagonist of Naruto, and Japan’s official response was immediate.
What did Trump post and why did he generate controversy?
Last Saturday, Trump He shared a video on his Truth Social platform that included a segment where he is shown adopting the appearance of the protagonist of Naruto, even replicating the characteristic gesture of joining hands with index fingers extended up — an iconic pose within the franchise. The publication generated an immediate reaction from annoying fans, who pointed out that the image was used without any type of authorization.
Why did the Japanese government officially respond?
On Friday, the Government of Japan formally criticized the use of intellectual property of Japanese companies by Trump. Kimi Onoda, Minister of Economic Security of Japan, warned in a press conference that this type of inappropriate use of images can damage the reputation of the work and harm rights holders. As confirmed by the minister herself, Japan has already communicated this position directly to the United States, and assured that the country will continue to take appropriate measures to guarantee the correct management of its copyright.
This is not an isolated incident. The Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs had already filed a formal complaint with the United States Embassy in Tokyo earlier this year on the same issue, and in April, an official from that agency declared before a parliamentary hearing that reproducing works protected by copyright without permission is inappropriate even for public institutions.
Is it the first time that the White House uses anime images?
No. The current frustration adds to months of tension over the use of other Japanese pop culture images by the White House, including franchise content such as Dragon Ball, , Yu-Gi-Oh! and Pokemon. In one of the most commented cases, the White House used anime footage in a TikTok video released in March to hold American air strikes against Iran.
The White House official account has also used content from other animated franchises, such as SpongeBob SquarePants, Marvel and DC Comics characters, and Call of Duty. However, in Japan—where the anime is considered a cultural treasure and a central component of national identity—the use of these images for political purposes by the Trump administration generated a particularly strong rejection.
How have anime creators and companies responded?
Anime creators have been openly critical of the use of their content by the Trump administration. In March, Pokemon Company International He stated that the White House had used his intellectual property without authorization. Days later, the franchise Yu-Gi-Oh! He issued a statement stating that no one related to the manga or anime had any participation in that use.
Neither the White House nor the State Department immediately responded to requests for comment on this latest criticism from Japan. They didn’t respond either Bandai Namco Entertainment, editorial of Naruto, nor Studio Pierrot, the animation studio responsible for the series.
Why does Japan give so much importance to this issue?
The Japanese government has made it clear that it considers the protection of the intellectual property of its creators as a matter of national interest, not only when it involves Trump. The Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi He stated in December that Japan’s cultural content is a vital component of what he described as his “diplomatic power”.
a citizen request launched in March by Nana Suzuki, a 34-year-old girl from southern Tokyo, seeks to demand that the Japanese government protect the anime from a more energetic inappropriate political use. The petition already accumulates more than 24,000 signatures. As Suzuki explained, he feels strong outrage when these works are used to instigate military or political conflicts, and considers that Japan should clearly communicate that this type of use infringes the rights of creators.
What fans think in Japan
In an anime shop in Ikebukuro, Tokyo district, two fans of Naruto They expressed concern that the political use of anime could damage its image. One of them noted that it does not seem correct to him that the works are used differently from their original purpose, and expressed his wish that the Japanese anime is used only for positive purposes. His companion agreed, pointing out that the situation would be different if the president was really an anime fan, but that he gives the impression that he is dealing with the issue lightly, without real knowledge about what he represents.
