During Barack Obama’s first presidential visit to Japan, he managed to work in a private lunch with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. The lunch, which lasted about an hour, was reported to have just been the three of them plus one interpreter. While the topics of their lunchtime conversation remain a mystery, the Japanese media delightedly reported on the event, stating how Obama made a polite short English greeting before entering the palace.
Some in America, however, have picked up on the brief, but rather deep bow Obama made as he shook hands with the Emperor. Some have decried it as a complete gaffe, some have pointed out the faux pas in Japanese etiquette of not mixing a bow and a handshake, and others have commented that Obama is simply showing respect for other cultures."
While the Japanese media has largely avoided commenting on the incident, numerous comments have been made on Japanese blogs and open forums. The general comments have been rather different in tone from that of American counterparts. Here are some select comments made on several sites:
[All comments translated from Japanese]
- “What a bow!”
- “Such a deep bow from Obama, what a fine guy.”
- “I’m surprised he bowed. He’s really trying hard to meet the Japanese way!”
- “President Obama is a top-class person, isn’t he? Amazing!”
- “The Emperor is giving a nice smile!”
- “Is the Japanese Emperor really that special?”
- “The Emperor or the Pope, the President or the Prime Minister, whoever is greater is not something that I think can be decided objectively.”
- “I laughed because it was a much better bow than I had imagined.”
- “Obama’s huge!”
-
“Obama has more of a true Japanese heart than most Japanese do.”
Related Articles: Barack Obama trip to Japan in Pictures
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Comments
Comments (in Japanese) on the same Japanese blog that were NOT fawning over Obama and his controversial "ojigi" before the Emperor, some in fact questioning it and suspecting it insincere, have apparantly been purposely left out of this journalist's translations and report.
Source: Japanese blog sites/chat rooms such as tsushima net/2 chaneru, etc.
What we are not getting translated into English on the Examiner are these Japanese blogs with posters to whom the Obama Tokyo bow is somewhat "going to their nationalist heads". All kinds of nationalist comments such as amazement that a nation defeated would be bowed at in this manner, and "Long Live the Emperor!", and also abject surprise at Obama bowing like this--racial ephitets are also made about Mr. Obama in disdain (for example, referring to him as "kuronbo" (or "little black boy") (sic). One Japanese poster is questioning if this kind of Obama gow to the Emperor is not a violation of US diplomatic protocol, and another one predicts that Americans, despite what Japanese might think--are going to get mad over this, just as they were when Obama made the overkill bow to the King of Saudi Arabia. Things like that.
--Let's not be selective in our quotes and translations from Japan, shall we??
Fair point in posting the negative comments, Ted -- also a little hilarious, given it sort of mirrors what's happening on the US messageboards (nationalistic pride, racism, protocol, Saudis). Apparently there are nutters in every country.
I think he bowed to be polite. Sure, it looks weird in the US where bowing is not a thing, but as long as the Japanese are generally cool with it and he stayed within protocols, it's sort of nice -- a clear effort to meet on common ground.
And since bowing has no connection with trade relations or treaties, I'm guessing no harm done.
...but yes. The 'wingers are going to absolutely lose their minds.
Way to go Obama!!
Interesting that those on both sides who take symbolism and protocol seriously are disturbed by this deep bow. It's only the young people who no longer take protocol or symbolism seriously who think it's all nice.
I guess that's the world we live in now.
I'm very impressed. VERY IMPRESSED.
This looks well practiced, comfortable, and very natural. Meetings with important people can never satisfy all peoples, all of the time, but this seems suited towards respect, formality, and not aloofness or superiority.
Is it so hard for people to understand that the united states is not seeking to show everyone up and display some kind of macho exterior? Obama has a lot of foreign goodwill to show and repair.
Good form, all around.
I think it is important for a leader to respect other culture. I admire Obama in so many ways, and this shows what a great leader Obama is and will become
Sometimes a bow is a bow. There's going to be crazies in any country and some people will perceive the gravest injustices no matter what the symbol. The legions of trolls and race-baiters on anonymous U.S. web sites makes 2-channel looks like a Romper Room bulletin board. Let's focus on the relatively sane mainstream instead of the lunatic fringe, eh?
Obama broke protocol as the Head of State and it was a ridiculous display between 2 equals. I am a post grad with a specialization in the Tokugawa-Bakufu era (early modern japanese history) I speak and read the language and travel about once a year. The big question is Japan is why? second, even if he wanted to bow, he screwed that up as his bow, hand grab doesn't exist within the Japanese lexicon. It appears Obama has taken cues from Richard Chamberlin's Shogun. Members of the LDP (Jimint? (???), are voicing concerns over the perceived weakness of the President. This in light of a more robust PRC and beligerant North Korea. Perceived strenth does more to maintain peace than a desperate desire to be liked.
Laughable display. I would encourage this blogger to read more message boards which are anything but cheerleading the President's buffoonish display.
Bill & Ted's Excellent Adventure
Ted-You mean the right wing nut jobs in Japan have delusional interpretations for somebody's actions? Wow, i'm shocked. How again does that reflect on the Japanese population at large? Please. You are either purposely being out of touch with what common Japanese people are saying or are just clueless.
Bill-Really? Wow, i'm impressed with your history degree. That is somehow supposed to be relevant in regards to the Japanese feelings about this? Hmm. Sure, some people are confused, but to spin that in a negative light is hilarious. For an "expert" in Japanese culture, you sure are American in your views, with a President's tough guy image being of some great importance.
But you're right, Bill, now that the American president has bowed to Japan, i'm sure the LDP sees weakness and is ready to invade again. Or North Korea is going to show aggression now. Because they haven't done that before, right? Wait.
No, but really though, Obama would just let other countries walk all over America, just like those Somali pirates.
Boom, headshot.
If Obama rescued a baby from a burning building, the teabaggers would find something to criticize about it. It would be funny if it weren't so pathetic.
Obama is cool. Only a weak nation would make a fuss over a gesture
I ask you Bible clutching, Fox news watching, Jesus loving Americans, I ask you, "What would Jesus do?"
Those who preach "Do unto others as you would have others do unto you" why is it that in your actual life you choose arrogance over humility?
Doesn't your bible say that pride is a sin?
Just like all the other "state run media" here these days. Let's all fawn over Obama and everything he does. If it's such a great thing, why did the white house go out of it's way to say he didnt' do it last time??? He's so over his head... History will show it since the fawning, slobbering, liberal media won't.
Obama's bow to the Emperor was not stylistically correct, but the intent was clearly not missed by most Japanese. It is the attempt that matters.. and the energy behind it. Blunders may be dismissed as what one may expect from Gaigin (foreigner).
If the deep bow may symbolize anything, I take it to indicate that the United States wishes to compensate for the 8 years of total arrogance which proceeded the current administration. In this sense, it could have gone far deeper.
The proper method is to angle slightly from the waste and, in the case of the relationships involved, the superior bows a little less deeply. To do this properly one must keep an eye on the other and there's a series of tests that are done until the relationship is worked out. I am surprised that Obama, having grown up in Asian culture (Hawaii), failed to get it right.
Still, good try and no harm done.
Now we shall watch hoards of Republicans ignorantly fuss at it.
I have great respect for President Barack Obama because of the fact that he tried, even if Japanese or US critics say it was not a proper (perfect) bow. It was still largely seen as one of the most respectful things a leader could do to a Japanese Emperor. Having grown up with an Embassador for a father, I have learned that respecting other cultures is a must in order to establish a good relationship. You wouldnt walk into a no-shoe japanese restaurant where you'd have to sit down and cross your legs to eat and say "may I have a table and some seats? I dont want to dirty my suit", just because you are the President of the United States. I applaud him for having the diplomatic stance that now is being widely criticised by, sorry to say, dumb "AMERICANS". If we are to change as a people we need to stop thinking we are the best in the world, and allow ourselves to be humble enough to take on the foreign countries with utmost respect.
Only a fool would take 2chan seriously.
Bill, shut your piehole. Post-Grad? ME THINKS NOT. Educated people are tolerant and embrace "the other".
Bill Wrote: "Obama broke protocol as the Head of State and it was a ridiculous display between 2 equals. I am a post grad with a specialization in the Tokugawa-Bakufu era (early modern japanese history) I speak and read the language and travel about once a year. The big question is Japan is why? second, even if he wanted to bow, he screwed that up as his bow, hand grab doesn't exist within the Japanese lexicon. It appears Obama has taken cues from Richard Chamberlin's Shogun. Members of the LDP (Jimint? (???), are voicing concerns over the perceived weakness of the President. This in light of a more robust PRC and beligerant North Korea. Perceived strenth does more to maintain peace than a desperate desire to be liked.
Laughable display. I would encourage this blogger to read more message boards which are anything but cheerleading the President's buffoonish display
It will be talked about for a day or two and forgotten. Let's get to the important work that needs doing!!!!
Thanks for your article Joshua. I loved how you gave the Japanese perspective. As someone who lived in the far east for 4 years, I felt that Obama's bow was not only appropriate, but something that most from the far east would admire.
Tonight the media revealed photos of Nixon, Eisenhower and one other President, George Bush, that also bowed to a world leader
Only the Right-Wing jerks do not check history. They would not care because they want him to fail and along with him......THE NATION.
I've lived in Japan almost 30 years and interacted with countless Japanese of various social rank. Japanese do sometimes bow while shaking hands. They also bow when speaking on the phone. Bowing here is far more difficult and subtle than people realize. When so many Japanese don't get it right, they rarely expect any foreigner to, particularly in a bow to the Emperor. But they deeply appreciated Obama's sincere attempt to pay respect to the Emperor respect. In doing so, he was not "defering" to a foreign king as conservatives dishonestly portrayed it. What does anyone expect from them but such underhanded smears? Obama contributed to building goodwill with a key American ally.
I guess we'd rather him puke on the Emperor, or perhaps give him a very uncomfortable attempt at a neck massage?
Oh now Chris, we'd rather he tongue-kiss and hold hands with the emperor the way Dubya did the Saudi king. Take it from Dubya, nothing says "I wanna be your boo" like a kiss and holding hands!
How can self-proclaimed US Citizens misinterpret President Obama’s gesture so completely? It’s obvious that he said, “I’m so much bigger than you, that even if I bent completely over I’d be taller. And even if I weren’t, I could put you through a hoop from the three-point line.” This clearly communicates that the US is a powerful giant, and the world will respect us because our leader has given a powerful visual representation.
However, I’m a bit nervous about buying in to the “They respect strength” argument, so I’m hoping that one of the board’s posters will help me with the documentation. With facts such as “Ho Chi Min ran when the US entered the South;” or, “If we go into Afghanistan, the Taliban will run like dogs;” or perhaps, “If we go into Iraq, they will be shocked and awed by our superior force.” But please, give me documented facts, preferably from post-graduates, Kabuki dance experts, or exotic family name people who have the ability to read and to translate every c
But please, give me documented facts, preferably from post-graduates, Kabuki dance experts, or exotic family name people who have the ability to read and to translate every comment on every blog on the internet. So c’mon guys, give this old Vietnam era fighter pilot some help documenting my opinion.
wat the hell obama
such a bulls*** move
Jesus would not have bowed.
if you look closely you can noticed by hes way of greeting and moving around that he took classes of japanese culture , I think this is a great deal coming from an american specially the president americans tend to think they are grater than anyone else is a big mark in their culture the "we are better" thinking , but for Obama to actually bow and study the basics of this culture in other to greet another important person I think it means a great deals from him, means he is humble , a good president thinking of people first and not pride and noticing the cultural barriers
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