Giant Donald Trump mikoshi parades in Osaka

On October 28, Osaka will be the unlikely stage for a pro-Donald Trump march. The marchers wore distinctive red MAGA hats and marched through the streets, holding up oversized rulers. Mikoshi— one Portable Shrine – Depicts a realistic-looking Donald Trump, his eyes flashing as he appears to scan the crowd.

What’s even stranger is that the mikoshi is flanked by a mural of the former president’s face, superimposed on it is none other than Thomas the Tank Engine. The scene was interrupted by the deafening blast of MAGA chants from the loudspeakers as American and Japanese flags flew side by side.

One of the most dramatic elements of the rally was the parade waving a Trump banner with the words “Fight, Fight, Fight!” next to it, a reference to the recent shooting in Butler, Pennsylvania. The same mikoshi was paraded through a pro-Trump event in Tokyo a few weeks ago.

A flyer for the rally read: “God protect Trump, victory will come!” — a rallying cry that summed up the fervent devotion and drama of this strange spectacle.

Osaka rally poster

Japan’s QAnon phenomenon

The rally in Japan coincides with the rise of conspiracy theories around the world, particularly those spread by QAnon. QAnon is a far-right movement centered on the belief that a group of Satanic child molesters are running a global child sex trafficking ring conspiring against Trump. In Japan, this strange gathering is collectively known as “JAnon,” a nod to the QAnon conspiracy movement in the United States. These people are keen to import and translate conspiracy theories from the United States to Japan.

exist April 2022In December 2019, members of a group called Shin-MitoQ attacked a COVID-19 vaccination site in Shibuya, resulting in the arrest of the group’s leader and some elderly and middle-aged people. These Janon followers also see Trump as a defender against the “deep state” they believe is manipulating world events.

Although Christians in Japan make up less than 1% of the population, JAnon puts a unique spin on classic conspiracy theories, focusing specifically on anti-vaccination sentiment. It claims that the COVID-19 vaccine is an evil conspiracy orchestrated by prominent figures such as Bill Gates.

A small pro-Trump demonstration was held in Osaka today using the same giant Trump mikoshi used at similar demonstrations in Tokyo. Previous demonstrations were organized by members of foreign religious groups. pic.twitter.com/B54z5S3Dyw

— Jeffrey J. Hall (@mrjeffu) October 27, 2024

Jeffrey J. Hall, a lecturer at Kanda University of International Studies, documented the Osaka rally Xrevealed that it was orchestrated by individuals with ties to foreign religious groups, specifically the Sanctuary Church, an offshoot of the Unification Church founded by Sun Myung Moon. The group is often described as “QAnon-adjacent.”

one recent reports from daily news Details were given of a fall 2024 festival at Sanctuary Church in Greeley, Pennsylvania, where about 300 Japanese members arrived by bus for a Trump campaign rally. There, Korean-American leader Moon Hyung-jin, Moon’s son, wore a crown made of bullet casings and brandished a golden gun while calling for loyalty to the former president.

“Jesus is calling us. Become Trump’s hands and feet. Refuse to be the hands and feet of Satan (the devil),” Moon reportedly said. “Jesus chose Trump to lead this crisis. Save America and the world from World War III. “

The crowd was largely made up of extreme “Make America Great Again” supporters who firmly believe Trump deservedly won the 2020 election and view the Democratic Party as a demonic force bent on destroying traditional family values. For them, the upcoming presidential election represents a “battle between good and evil.”

Their enthusiasm reflects a fascination with outlandish narratives that have taken root in some corners of American politics, showing how easily these ideas can transcend national borders. However, these people are a clear minority, far removed from the mainstream current of Japanese political sentiment.

harsh reality

Despite the enthusiastic performance, polls show Trump’s support in Japan is low. A survey in August Reuters showed that about 43% of Japanese companies said they preferred Harris, while only 9% preferred Trump.

Political analysts, including former Defense Secretary William Cohen, have expressed concern about the impact of a potential second Trump term as president on Japan. Cohen commented on Trump’s general disdain for formal alliances, noting his skepticism of the U.S. military presence in Japan as a significant point of concern.

Additionally, Trump ironically imposed tariffs on Japanese imports, including Notable 25% tax The focus on steel during his presidency did not go unnoticed by those involved in the investigation. If Trump is re-elected, threaten to impose A 10% tariff is imposed on all imported products, with tariffs of up to 60% on imports from China.

Masatoshi Kaku, President of Japan Paper Association warn If China’s economy falters due to these tariffs, Japan’s economy could face collapse. This economic threat makes it difficult to reconcile the enthusiastic support for Trump among his Japanese followers with the reality that many Japanese may suffer from his proposed trade policies.

As the rally unfolded, the enthusiasm of pro-Trump supporters in Osaka contrasted sharply with the reality faced by ordinary Japanese citizens. This strange phenomenon raises some troubling questions: the intersection between faith, fanaticism, and the extent to which some people worship a controversial figure.

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