Trump Uploaded a Video Similar to Naruto, Japan Warned about Anime Copyright

Japan spoke up after US President Donald Trump uploaded a video on social media that seemed to portray him as Naruto. Citing Kyodo News, Friday, June 12, the Japanese government emphasized that the use of copyrighted works must still be authorized by the rights holder.

Kimi Onoda, the minister in charge of Cool Japan strategy, did not directly comment on Trump's video. However, he emphasized the basic principle of using copyrighted works, namely that permission is still required, even if the user of the work is a public institution.

Cool Japan is Japan's strategy to promote its popular culture and creative products abroad, including anime, manga, games, cuisine, and fashion.

"Even in cases that may not clearly constitute copyright infringement, there is a risk that works will be used in a way that is contrary to the intention of the right holder, damages the image of the work, and causes losses to the right holder," Onoda said, quoted by Kyodo News.

He said that issues like this need to be handled very carefully.

Onoda also said Japan had repeatedly conveyed its views on the use of copyrighted works to the United States through diplomatic channels.

A video uploaded to Trump's social media account last Saturday featured him in a number of scenes, including as Naruto, the main character of the popular ninja-themed anime and manga. The post sparked criticism on the internet.

This case is not the first. The Trump administration has previously used elements of Japanese popular culture in its social media communications.

One of them is an image that appears to come from Nintendo's Wii Sports game in the White House X account's post about the attack on Iran during the United States-Israel conflict with the country.

For Japan, anime and games are part of cultural exports as well as major business assets. Therefore, the use of popular characters in political communication can raise issues of copyright and work image.