"Humiliating" Reactions as Japanese Diplomat Wears Symbolic 'MAGA' Hat and Gives Double Thumbs Up

Controversy Over Remarks and Photo of Japan's Economic Revitalization Minister
Some Argue, "An Effort to Bridge the Gap with Trump"

There has been criticism that US President Donald Trump effectively forced a pledge of "loyalty" when he placed a "MAGA (Make America Great Again)" hat on the head of Japan's chief tariff negotiation representative. Some have pointed out that this was diplomatically inappropriate, while others in Japan have responded by calling the incident humiliating. On the 19th (local time), the White House released a newsletter featuring a photo taken on the 16th of Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa wearing a MAGA hat, smiling brightly, and giving thumbs up with both hands.

On the 19th, the White House released a newsletter featuring a photo taken on the 16th of Japan's Minister of Economic Revitalization Ryosei Akazawa wearing a MAGA hat, smiling brightly, and giving thumbs up with both hands. White House

At the time, President Trump, without prior notice, declared that he would personally attend the US-Japan tariff negotiations and summoned Minister Akazawa to the Oval Office for a meeting. There, Trump autographed a MAGA hat on the spot and handed it to Akazawa. This was the moment when the MAGA hat, a symbol and political icon of Trump, was placed on the head of the representative of a country engaged in trade negotiations with the United States. After the negotiations, the White House provided photos of this scene to the media and, on that day, publicly released them again in the form of a newsletter, describing them as official photos of the US-Japan negotiations.

US media have long criticized President Trump for using the MAGA hat as a powerful political symbol both domestically and internationally, especially in political and diplomatic arenas. In fact, it is seen as Trump effectively forcing a visual oath of loyalty, with the act of wearing the hat inevitably interpreted as support or allegiance to him. Since taking office, Trump has used the MAGA hat as a kind of "symbol of loyalty" by throwing it to supporters at various events.

So far, the US media have criticized Trump for using the MAGA hat as a strong political symbol both domestically and internationally in political and diplomatic arenas. In fact, it is seen as Trump effectively forcing a visual oath of loyalty, with the act of wearing the hat inevitably interpreted as support or allegiance to Trump. White House

The political magazine Politico recalled that President Trump also placed a MAGA hat on a high-ranking US military officer during his first term, and criticized that "wearing a MAGA hat in a position that requires political neutrality raises concerns over violations of regulations." The diplomatic journal Foreign Policy also noted, "Those who sympathize with 'Trumpism' ultimately have no choice but to reveal their stance through this hat."

In Japan, there has been criticism that the photo of Minister Akazawa wearing a MAGA hat and giving a thumbs up is humiliating, with reactions such as "He looks like a follower of the Church of Trump" and "From now on, we should call him 'Magazawa' (a combination of MAGA and Akazawa's name) instead of Akazawa." The Japanese tabloid Nikkan Gendai commented, "The sight of someone happily wearing a hat inscribed with Trump's slogan is tantamount to the Japanese government declaring its commitment to realizing 'MAGA'." On the other hand, some argue that there is nothing problematic about the incident. They claim that while it would be an issue if hats were worn during cabinet negotiations, it is natural for Minister Akazawa to take such actions in order to build rapport with President Trump, who holds decision-making authority.

Meanwhile, the Nihon Keizai Shimbun reported on the 20th that, ahead of the second round of tariff negotiations with the United States, which could take place as early as this month, the Japanese government is considering expanding imports of American rice and simplifying automobile inspections. However, Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba said on NHK that day, "Food security is non-negotiable in the tariff negotiations between the US and Japanese governments."