Japan urges U.S. to stop using anime and gaming IP in official posts

The Japanese government has repeatedly used diplomatic channels to urge the U.S. government to stop using copyrighted Japanese entertainment intellectual property in official social media posts. The dispute centers on the unauthorized use of characters and music from franchises such as Pokémon, Mario, Naruto, and Yu-Gi-Oh!, as well as Nintendo's Wii Sports, in posts related to U.S. political messaging and military operations.

Japanese Foreign Minister Toshimitsu Motegi expressed concerns in parliamentary sessions, stating, "It’s inappropriate even for public institutions to reproduce copyrighted materials without the rights holders’ consent." Japanese officials have warned that using these family-friendly icons alongside political or military content could damage the brand image and reputation of the properties.

Specific incidents cited include the Department of Homeland Security using Pokémon imagery in videos regarding immigration enforcement, and the White House using Wii Sports music and imagery in posts regarding military operations in Iran. The Pokémon Company has explicitly stated it did not authorize the use of its IP for these purposes, noting that its mission is not affiliated with any political agenda.