A flyer promoting Mikio Kobayashi’s mayoral candidacy in Kanuma, Tochigi Prefecture, north of Tokyo, has stirred controversy for its striking resemblance to a poster for an animated movie based on the “Slam Dunk” manga series, potentially infringing on copyright law.
The flyer, distributed as a newspaper insert before the official campaign period began on June 2, depicted five individuals, including Toshimitsu Motegi, a prominent figure in the ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), clad in basketball uniforms. Emblazoned with the slogan “The First Team Up Kanuma,” the flyer featured Kobayashi, supported by the LDP, its coalition partner the Komeito party, and Tochigi Governor Tomikazu Fukuda.
Legal experts, including lawyer Hiroyuki Nakajima, have raised concerns that the flyer may have violated the right to adaptation under copyright law. Nakajima noted that the flyer closely mirrored essential elements of the movie poster, such as the poses of the characters and the numbers on their uniforms.
A spokesperson for Kobayashi’s campaign attributed the creation of the flyer to young staff members who, unaware of potential copyright issues, were inspired by a similar poster spotted in a different prefecture’s shopping district.
The incident underscores the importance of awareness and adherence to copyright laws, particularly in the context of political campaigns, where creative materials must be carefully vetted to avoid legal repercussions.