During a rehearsal for J-Hope’s concert on June 13, Jungkook from BTS was seen sporting a hat with the controversial slogan “Make Tokyo Great Again,” reminiscent of former U.S. President Donald Trump’s campaign slogan. The association of this phrase with Japan’s far-right movements led to accusations of glorifying Japanese imperialism.
It later emerged that Jungkook had received the hat as a gift, but the backlash was immediate. Netizens expressed disappointment with comments like “People are buying a far-right slogan hat just because Jungkook wore it? Insane” and “This is disappointing from someone as globally influential as BTS.”
Jungkook publicly apologized on June 14, acknowledging his lack of understanding of the historical and political significance of the phrase. He mentioned, “It was careless and thoughtless of me. I have since discarded the hat.”
Despite Jungkook’s apology, the brand behind the controversial hat issued a strange response, stating, “We believe in the freedom to express ideas through fashion. This design was not intended to convey a political message, but rather to symbolically represent hope for Tokyo’s fashion scene.”
Despite the controversy, the hat quickly sold out at a price of 13,200 yen (approximately $92 USD) due to Jungkook’s popularity.
On another note, BTS’s military hiatus is coming to an end. Jin and J-Hope finished their service last year, RM and V were discharged on June 10, followed by Jimin and Jungkook on June 11. Suga, serving as a social service worker, is set to complete his duty on June 21.
