Written entirely in Japanese and without any English text, foreign visitors are wondering what on earth these ads mean.
Visiting a foreign country where English isn’t widely spoken can have you scratching your head at the best of times, but lately in Japan there’s something that’s been stopping everyone in their tracks.
It’s a series of posters that’s currently being displayed on trains and at stations around Tokyo, featuring a close-up image of the President of the United States. The imposing image shows Trump mid-speech, looking to his right with a furrowed brow and pointed finger, alongside a hashtag written in Japanese that takes up space just above his shoulder.
▼ The ad has been spotted on trains on the Yamanote loop line.
▼ As well as at Shimbashi Station…
▼ And at Ikebukuro Station.
Without any English text to accompany the image, foreigners unable to read Japanese have been wondering what this stern-looking image could be inferring. To answer the question, the hashtag #トランプ政権 translates to #TrumpAdministration, and the “あなたの知らない今がある” that can be seen alongside the Twitter logo is read as “Anata no shiranai ima ga aru”, which loosely translates to “There is a ‘now’ you don’t know about”.
The use of Trump’s image to front the advertising campaign appears to be linked to his constant presence in the global news media, with the ad being used to inspire commuters to find out more about current events and worlds they don’t know about through Twitter.
The campaign also includes other images and hashtags connected to current “hot topics” in Japan such as #プレミアムフライデー (#PremiumFriday), a new initiative that encourages workers to leave the office at 3:00 p.m. on the last Friday of the month, and #保育園に入りたい (#HoikuenHairitai/#IWantToGetIntoDaycare), which addresses the lack of childcare options around the country.
Twitter is certainly drawing attention to their new posters by using the U.S. President’s image in their new campaign. Whether or not Trump knows his face is appearing on Japan’s rail network, however, remains to be seen.
Source: Instagram/ad__collection
Featured image: Instagram/aloha_ricky_mahalo_

Japanese boy band pop star celebrates Donald Trump’s visit to Japan with Trump cosplay【Photos】
Donald Trump playing cards exist in Japan thanks to McDonald’s
Donald Trump ate this double cheeseburger in Japan, so we do too
Ivanaka Trump posts photo of Filipino snack at daughter’s birthday party, confuses the Internet
The hamburger Trump ate in Japan sells out as diners track down the presidential meal
Air-conditioned dress shirts arrive in Japan to save working professionals from sweltering heat
Tokyo’s newest viral dessert is like a Japanese parfait inside a bread bun [Taste test]
Live-action Princess Mononoke is coming to streaming as a live event, previews look amazing [Video]
Starbucks Japan opens new store inside historic seaside quarantine station near Tokyo
Tokyo security guard’s famous station tape font becomes official custom Nike streetwear
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever gacha capsule toys, featuring iconic menu items as plush coffee charms
Godiva Japan gets into the shaved ice scene with two luxurious frozen desserts this summer
New Studio Ghibli washi tape adds anime flair to Japanese stationery
7-Eleven Japan adds new cold soup smoothies to its convenience store drinks range
Koei Tecmo continues to be an investment firm that also happens to make video games
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese Shinkansen becomes an overnight hotel for three nights this summer
Face lettuce appears in Japan, with the face of Death Note’s Light Yagami, but why?
Kyoto receives more foreign tourists than ever before, but fewer visitors say they’ll return
Pokémon Card Stores requiring facial recognition scans for entry in Japan in latest anti-scalper move
Family Mart’s new Famima flagship in Tokyo has a hidden gem that most visitors miss
7-Eleven Japan now offering baked-in-store pizza by the slice with two very different topping sets
Starbucks Japan unveils exclusive new Frappuccinos limited to three regional areas
Giant Evangelion Spear of Longinus to be installed at Japanese train station with Eva art trains
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Japan now has human refrigerators inspired by Japanese vending machines
Hatsune Miku collaborates with Hokusai’s art in new Vocaloid ukiyo-e illustration series [Pics]
New Shinkansen luggage drop-off system begins in Japan, making train travel even easier
Japan triples departure tax, foreign tourists and locals now must pay more to leave country
Studio Ghibli releases anime T-shirts that pay homage to one of Hayao Miyazaki’s most personal films
Family Mart opens new “Famima” flagship store in Tokyo that’s like a tourist attraction
Uniqlo looks back to the very start of Pokémon with new black-and-white pixel art T-shirts[Pics]
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
Donald Trump’s granddaughter performs cover of Japan’s “Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen” 【Video】
Japanese train station stirs up nostalgia with beautiful rural setting and one-carriage train
Bruno Mars creates commercial for Japan’s Don Quijote discount retail chain【Video】
Donald Trump meets Pen-Pineapple-Apple-Pen singer Piko Taro in Japan