President Trump’s use of anime-style imagery on his social media account is straining relations with Japan. The Japanese government has criticized Trump’s actions, expressing concerns over the use of Japanese companies’ intellectual property. A top minister warned this could harm Japan’s creative exports. Japan has already communicated its concerns to the United States.
Last Saturday, Trump shared a video on his platform, Truth Social. The video, apparently AI-generated, included Trump depicted as the protagonist from the anime series ‘Naruto.’ He was shown in a recognizable Naruto pose, which drew sharp criticism online. Fans noted the imagery was used without permission.
There have been ongoing tensions over similar uses of Japanese pop culture imagery. The White House has previously incorporated elements from franchises like ‘Dragon Ball,’ ‘Yu-Gi-Oh!,’ and ‘Pokémon.’ In March, an anime-themed TikTok video celebrated US airstrikes on Iran.
The White House and State Department did not respond to comments about Japan’s latest criticism. Naruto’s publisher, Bandai Namco Entertainment, and its animator, Studio Pierrot, also remained silent.
In addition to anime, the Trump administration has used imagery from other franchises such as ‘SpongeBob SquarePants,’ Marvel, DC Comics, and ‘Call of Duty.’ While these uses may entertain some audiences, in Japan, where anime is a key cultural element, the political use of these images has sparked significant backlash.