You’ve probably seen the clips. Red hats in the middle of Ginza. Massive gold-trimmed banners. A giant, flashing-eyed "Trump Mikoshi" being hoisted through the streets like a traditional Shinto deity. It’s a surreal sight that leaves most people—including many Japanese locals—scratching their heads.
Why is there a Trump parade in Japan? Honestly, it’s complicated.
While the Western media often portrays Japan as a monolithic, polite society, the reality on the ground is way more fractured. In late 2025 and moving into early 2026, these demonstrations haven't just been about supporting a foreign leader. They’ve become a flashpoint for Japan's own internal identity crisis.
The "JAnon" Phenomenon: It's Not Just About Politics
Most people get this wrong. They think these parades are just expats or tourists. That's not it. The vast majority of people marching in the Trump parade in Japan are Japanese citizens. Many belong to a movement dubbed "JAnon."
Basically, this is a unique, localized version of the QAnon conspiracy theory. It sounds wild, but it’s real. These groups view Donald Trump not just as a politician, but as a "light-bringer" fighting a global "Deep State" that they believe also controls the Japanese government.
For them, the parade is a spiritual event.
Take the October 2025 rallies in Tokyo. These coincided with Trump’s official visit to meet Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi. While the leaders were talking trade and defense at the Akasaka Palace, the streets were a chaotic mix of support and vitriol.
One side carried the "Trump Mikoshi"—a portable shrine usually reserved for gods. The other side? They were screaming about "Trump not welcome."
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It’s a bizarre cultural mashup.
Why the Streets of Tokyo Are Splitting
To understand why a Trump parade in Japan even exists, you have to look at who is organizing them. It’s rarely a single group. Instead, it’s a loose coalition:
- The Religious Right: Groups like the Sanctuary Church (a splinter of the Unification Church) have been heavily involved. They see Trump as a protector of traditional family values.
- Anti-China Activists: Many Japanese conservatives are terrified of Chinese expansion. They see Trump’s "hawkish" stance as the only thing keeping the region safe.
- The Disenchanted: Younger Japanese voters, specifically men in their 30s and 40s who feel left behind by "Abenomics" and globalism, have found a home in pro-Trump rhetoric.
Professor Jeff Kingston from Temple University in Tokyo has noted that Trump "empowers the primordial" in people. It's a fancy way of saying he lets people vent their frustrations with the status quo.
The most recent Trump parade in Japan wasn't just a celebration. It was a protest against the Japanese establishment.
The Takaichi Connection: A New Era of "Japan First"
Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, Japan's first female leader, has a complicated relationship with this movement. She’s often called a "mini-Trump" because of her hardline stance on defense and her desire to revise Japan's pacifist constitution.
When Trump visited Tokyo in October 2025, the optics were... awkward.
There was that viral moment where Trump walked ahead of Takaichi during the honor guard review, looking a bit confused. Social media went into a frenzy. Protesters used the moment to claim Japan was being "subjugated," while supporters in the Trump parade in Japan cheered it as a sign of "strong leadership."
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It’s a weird tightrope for the Japanese government. They need the U.S. alliance for security, but the public is deeply divided on whether they want "Trumpism" imported into their own backyard.
What Most People Miss: The "No Kings" Counter-Movement
If you only saw the photos of the red hats, you’d think Japan was 100% MAGA. It’s not.
For every Trump parade in Japan, there is an equal and often louder counter-protest. In June 2025, the "No Kings" rallies hit Tokyo and Osaka. Thousands of Japanese people marched against what they called "democratic backsliding."
They weren't just protesting Trump. They were protesting the rise of the Sanseito party—a far-right Japanese party that uses Trumpian tactics to gain followers.
Honestly, the "parades" are more like a proxy war for Japan’s own future.
Real Talk: Does Trump Actually Have Support in Japan?
The short answer? Not really.
Polls from late 2025 showed that over 40% of Japanese firms preferred the Democratic platform, while less than 10% supported Trump. The reason is simple: Tariffs.
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Trump’s "America First" policy usually means "Japan Second." The 25% steel levies and the threat of 10% across-the-board tariffs don't sit well with a country that relies on exports.
So, when you see a Trump parade in Japan, remember you’re looking at a vocal minority. They are loud, they are organized, and they are visually striking, but they don't represent the average salaryman in Tokyo.
What Happens Next?
The "Spring 2026" visit is the next big date on the calendar. Takaichi is scheduled to head to Washington D.C. for the Cherry Blossom Festival.
Expect more parades. Expect more Mikoshis.
If you’re tracking the Trump parade in Japan, watch the "JAnon" Telegram channels and YouTube influencers like Sohei Kamiya. That’s where the real organizing happens.
Actionable Insights for Following This Topic:
- Watch the Symbols: If you see a "Trump Mikoshi," you’re looking at a religious-political hybrid event, not a standard political rally.
- Ignore the "Monolith" Myth: Japan is not "pro-Trump" or "anti-Trump." It’s a country using Trump as a mirror to look at its own nationalist tendencies.
- Check the Geography: Parades in Ginza are usually for show (aimed at tourists and media). Parades in Osaka tend to be more "grassroots" and connected to local fringe parties.
- Monitor Sanseito: This party is the best indicator of how much "Trumpism" is actually sticking in Japanese legislation.
The Trump parade in Japan is a symptom of a global trend where local grievances get wrapped in the flag of American populism. It’s weird, it’s colorful, and it’s definitely not going away anytime soon.
Whether it's a "fringe rally you didn't see coming" or a genuine shift in Japanese politics depends on who you ask on the streets of Shimbashi.