The Japanese government has expressed formal displeasure after the Trump administration circulated official diplomatic documents featuring anime-style caricatures of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe. The images, which were included in a trade briefing packet, depict Mr Abe as a character resembling a popular manga series. Japanese foreign ministry officials described the choice as “inappropriate” and “trivialising” a serious bilateral relationship.
The incident has generated significant domestic backlash in Japan, where critics accuse the US of cultural insensitivity and a failure to grasp the gravity of alliance negotiations. This is not the first time President Trump has used pop culture imagery to soften diplomatic messaging, but analysts note that Japan’s response has been notably sterner than in previous cases. The episode underscores a growing tension between the two allies as they navigate complex trade and security discussions.
