Japan Warns U.S. Government to Stop Using Nintendo, Pokémon in Political Memes

Japan’s foreign ministry has repeatedly urged the U.S. government to stop posting political social-media content that incorporates Japanese franchises such as Nintendo, Pokémon and other copyrighted anime and game material. Reporting says the calls have come through diplomatic channels multiple times since at least March, with officials arguing it’s inappropriate for public institutions to reproduce copyrighted works without consent. The dispute has highlighted clips where White House-linked accounts mixed franchise footage into policy or pro-war messaging, prompting fresh backlash.