Peruvian President Alan Garcia (L) shakes hands with Japanese Emperor Akihito Peruvian President Alan Garcia (L) shakes hands with Japanese Emperor AkihitoNote to Obama: we won.
Generally the bow is a physical sign of subservience as well as respect, depending on the relative depth of the bow by each party.
Since it would be impossible for the Emporer to bow to another person...well you get the idea
An entirely inappropriate bow, and I say that as one who loves Japanese customs. This guy has no clue. Actually, it looks more like a prostration in terms of what would have been appropriate.
I have only one question does anyone know if Bush ever bowed to him when he was in office, I’m assumiong it’s protocol?
When General MacArthur (PBUH) was the military ruler of Japan, it became necessary for him to meet with Emperor Hirohito.
Had he gone to the Imperial palace to meet the Emperor, it would have shown fealty, and cost MacArthur (PBUH) so much “face”, that it might have caused a Japanese revolt against the “weak invaders”.
Had the Emperor gone to MacArthur’s (PBUH) headquarters, it would have so humiliated the Japanese people, that thousands would have committed suicide out of shame. The Emperor was still regarded by many as a deity, and they bowed and averted their eyes in his presence.
So a solution was achieved by having both General MacArthur (PBUH) and the Emperor decide to go for a walk on the same day, with their entourages, and happen to meet in a pleasant place in a park.
This was but one example out of many how General MacArthur (PBUH) had to show great tact, diplomacy, and awareness of the Japanese people, to avoid tragic and bloody misunderstandings out of mutual cultural ignorance, and inadvertent offense. There were many times when he saved thousands of Japanese lives with the stroke of a pen.
To this day, Emperor Akihito, who is a great and passionate fan of Sumo wrestling, who as Crown Prince was a fixture at championship matches, while seated in the royal box seats, on the death of his father has no longer been allowed to attend such matches, as Emperor. This is because though it would not be demanded of them, for a wrestler to lose a match in the presence of the Emperor would be so shameful, that they might choose to end their life.
So the royal box seats remain empty, and the Emperor has to watch the match in the palace, on television.
And in to this situation of delicate protocols and diplomacy, enters the new and naive US president, embarrassing himself and his nation in front of the Emperor.
Perhaps later he will don a straw hat, and do a little dance, before playing his banjo, or challenge the Emperor to a pick up game of “hoops.”
As the Japanese might say, “Baka yaro!”
A disgusting show of American subservience to Japan. Again, dear leader attempts to apologize...in his own style.
It’s time to take back the country.
well that puts down the lie he told about NOT bowing the Arabs... 
Bowing to other human beings is frowned upon in Muslim culture as all human beings are considered equal and, in Islam, bowing is only supposed to done to Allah.
Leni
Well he is ignorant, incompetent, inexperienced, narcissistic, and arrogant. His bowing to foreign leaders displaying weakness, submissiveness,and appeasement is a very dangerous sign. The bigger picture is, under this administration, the once sovereign U.S. will bow before these international rulers.
I can already hear our beloved troops saying fubo.
He never learns.
Did Obama bow to the Queen of England?
IMPEACH THIS BASTARD
Unfit, unworthy, unqualified, unAmerican
Once again, demonstrating just how well the Saudi King has “trained” his subject.
No President in US history has bowed to a foreign leader other than Obama. George Washington is spinning in his grave.
Imagine how well this will go over with the Chinese
