In Japan the bow is a sign of respect. Take away the handshake and what he is doing is showing his inferiority to a superior. The picture shows Emperor Akihito giving a slight bow (maybe 10 degrees?) while trying to maintaining eye contact. That is the proper way for equals to greet each other.
When I was stationed in Japan long ago I had a high status position and much of our time was spent on “People to People” projects. I became used to the greetings. When meeting the local prefect governor, mayor, chief of police and superintendent of schools we would exchange greetings in the manner of the Emperor. We were equals. Other, lower status people would greet me with more pronounced bows. The lower status the deeper the bow.
President 0bama’s groveling greeting was nearly the bow of a peasant to a lord. The next step down would for him to be on his knees with his face on the floor.
That is absolutely correct, and depsite living in Japan for several years and many military and civilian training session on international protocol, I completely forgot that point.
When two captains of Japanese industry meet, no matter if they are fierce competitors or partners in a joint endevor, that is exactly how they greet each other. A slight bow while maintaining eye contact.
This is Protocol 101. Either Obama is so arrogant he ignores the advice from his protocol staff, or he is so arrogant he has no protocol staff.