Japan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has reportedly requested that the United States government stop using characters from popular Japanese video games, such as Mario and Pokémon, in its social media posts. The concerns, detailed in a report by the Mainichi Shimbun and noted by IGN, stem from both the unauthorized use of intellectual property and the potential damage to globally recognized brands.
Beginning in 2025, various U.S. government agencies reportedly started employing memes, including video game clips and music, to promote policy initiatives. Examples cited include a Homeland Security post featuring clips from the Pokémon animated series alongside immigration raid footage, and a Customs and Border Patrol video using a dancing Pikachu to announce a new recruit.
The Pokémon Company had previously stated that its property was used without authorization in these promotions, with a spokesperson remarking that the company's mission of bringing the world together is not affiliated with any political viewpoint. In March of the current year, the company issued a slightly more critical statement regarding such uses.
Earlier incidents also drew criticism, such as when Japan's Foreign Affairs Minister, Toshimitsu Motegi, addressed a White House tweet that incorporated Wii Sports footage to promote military actions. While these complaints initially focused on copyright law violations, the recent actions by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs appear to represent a more direct approach.
The Ministry has allegedly made multiple specific requests to the Trump Administration to halt the practice of using these characters in memes. While copyright infringement remains a concern, with the Ministry emphasizing that even public institutions require permission to use intellectual property, the concern for potential damage to the brands themselves has also been cited as a significant reason for the requests. Whether the U.S. administration will comply with these requests remains to be seen.