Japan's trucking industry is worried that its image could be tarnished by popular fiction.

According to transportation company owners, the frequent use of trucks in scenes depicting fatal accidents in isekai anime and manga is creating a subconscious fear of trucks among viewers.

“In movies, dramas, manga and anime, it is almost always a truck used in scenes where characters die in traffic accidents.“

During a discussion on image problems in the transportation industry, a businessman from Shizuoka Prefecture argued that repeated exposure to scenes, particularly in isekai anime and manga, where trucks are often portrayed as causing fatal traffic accidents involving main characters, is creating a negative association with trucks, especially for young audiences.

“There is a well-known brainwashing technique called subliminal messaging. If this is being used to imprint on the human subconscious, then the above-mentioned scenes that we naturally see on TV and in childhood manga are ample material for forming a fear or aversion to trucks and the like. Considering that people emotionally invest in these stories, the effect is tremendous.,” he said.

He also criticized the media's sensationalization of real accidents involving trucks, which he believes reinforces negative stereotypes.

This in turn leads to challenges in recruitment, where family members discourage working in the sector.

“..When you watch the news, major accidents involving large vehicles are sensationally broadcast, as if to say, “We’ve been waiting for this.” Viewers, thinking “another truck accident,” subconsciously form new negative images, which leads to phenomena such as “parental block” or “marital block” during recruitment.“

The businessman also blamed the mainstream media for covering logistics and the driver shortage as if it were someone else's problem, while claiming to protect logistics and drivers.

While acknowledging the importance of freedom of expression, he advocated for a more balanced representation of trucks in the media.

“Considering that freedom of speech exists, I understand that it is inevitable, but if that is the case, I want them to balance it by also promoting positive images of trucks.“

He then revealed that his company is actively using social media to combat negative perceptions by promoting positive aspects of the trucking industry and the work of its drivers.

However, he recognized the challenge of overcoming the pervasive influence of popular culture.

Source: Weekly logistics news