Long-distance lovers: Donald Trump’s Asian supporters

The man who may soon be the US president has already made waves, and fans, in the region

Reading Time:3 minutes

CLEVELAND, OH - JULY 21: Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump gestures at the end of the Republican National Convention on July 21, 2016 at the Quicken Loans Arena in Cleveland, Ohio. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump received the number of votes needed to secure the party's nomination. An estimated 50,000 people are expected in Cleveland, including hundreds of protesters and members of the media. The four-day Republican National Convention kicked off on July 18. Jeff Swensen/Getty Images/AFP

Published: 12:00pm, 6 Aug 2016Updated: 3:08pm, 19 Sep 2016

After the major parties’ national conventions were done and dusted last week, Donald Trump as the Republican Party nominee has come under fire for saying Asian countries competed unfairly with American businesses and took a free ride on its defence strategy. He may have alienated many in the region, but “The Donald’ is not without Asian fans…

Japan

Trump’s claim that the Japan-US security alliance is “unfair” appears to have inspired Japanese YouTube star Yoko Mada (randomyoko), who claims many Japanese feel ashamed at their “lack of contribution”. Yoko – who has 50,000 followers – has written articles on “Trump Senpai” (Mentor Trump), given lectures on how he can make Japan great again and posted videos of “happy moments in life”, such as when she received an official Trump T-shirt and hat.

Yoko Mada is a Trump fan. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Then, there is a “Japanese Donald Trump Commercial”, a fan-made video by Mike Diva, a visual effects artist with a following online. The video, in keeping with Japan’s “kawaii” subculture of cute fashion, toys, food and mannerisms, features a schoolgirl transforming into a magical anime character wandering through a pastel-coloured Trump world.

Mike Diva, maker of the video, also seems to like Trump. Photo: SCMP Pictures

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x

Long-distance lovers: Donald Trump’s Asian supporters

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}The man who may soon be the US president has already made waves, and fans, in the region

The man who may soon be the US president has already made waves, and fans, in the region