[Candor7]

We here have pretty good collective insight on what his bow represents. Probably more comprehensive than just about anywhere.Bot the Japanese do not see it as their duty to educate politicians at this level of diplomacy.

The Japanese are very mannerly and have a habit of ignoring Western faux pas.

But that is changing. Perhaps some news writers will point out this faux pas critically, but chances are it won't appear in the English language publications.

[mojitojoe]

This photo was possibly photoshopped and somehow distributed by Republicans. Since the White House denied that the President bowed to the Saudi king, it follows that he would likewise never bow to the Japanese emperor. The president, unlike Bush, was raised in part abroad, has traveled extensively, and is very sophisticated. The US was founded on the principle that “all men are created equal.” President Obama knows that it would be a serious breach of protocol for the American president to bow before any monarch.

It’s possible, being so much taller, he was simply trying to look the emperor in he eye. It’s even possible that he stumbled - there are cracks in the floor clearly visible in the photo.

Robert Gibbs needs to issue a statement and clarify this immediately.

lol lol lol

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/11/obama-emperor-akihito-japan.html