"Obama Bow To Emperor Was Inappropriate" (This A.M.'s Japanese Press: My Translation)

47 News, (Japan) From Original Japanese from Kyodo ^ | 16 November 2009 | 47 News (Japan)

[AmericanInTokyo]

Title in-full is: "Obama Bow To Emperor Inappropriate-- U.S. Conservative Faction Criticizes"(オバマ氏の天皇にお辞儀は不適切　米保守派が批判 (They are essentially saying that US Conservatives are asserting that. (But it is fairly widespread here as a perception, and growing, although to-date Japanese have been their typical polite goodselves in playing down the faux paus of an ignorant, visiting, protocol-devoid foreigner, in this case POTUS).

(http://www.47news.jp/CN/200911/CN2009111601000125.html)

Goes on to say that U.S. Conservative blogosphere, FOX News, etc. have picked up on the Obama bow as inappropriate. Also tied it into the earlier Obama bow/genuflection to Saudi Arabian King.

For your information.

It is actually from a Kyodo News report, which means it has now hit the Japanese news wires, big time. (...this is equivalent to AP carrying it in USA, Notimex in Latin America, German Press Agency in Germany, etc.).

[altair]

/highfive

[PghBaldy]

It’s one thing when he does soething here that I mock. I so wish he hadn’t done this for many reasons, one of which it hurts the US (though not as much as the bow to Saudi king).

[SevenofNine]

OMG that too rich for material you could find anything on Google

[SevenofNine]

OMG that too rich for material you could find anything on Google

[NewLand]

when ignorant liberal Uber-honkies do that palms-pressed-together Thai bow thing

This guy used to do that
thing a lot...couldn't
find an 'action shot'
but never miss a chance
to post a JF'n'K pic...

[rabidralph]

I vaguely remember when some WH protocol officer allowed someone in the Reagan admin bow to a Japanese dignitary. And the media said it was wrong for a government official to bow.

[rabidralph]

That is an extremely deep bow. He may as well prostrated himself.

[happinesswithoutpeace]

/mark

[444Flyer]

Did he sing as he bowed?

I'm turning Japanese

I think I'm turning Japanese

I really think so

Turning Japanese

I think I'm turning Japanese

I really think so

I'm turning Japanese

I think I'm turning Japanese

I really think so

Turning Japanese

I think I'm turning Japanese

I really think so

[altair]

My experiences are somewhat different. Not only did my late wife cover her head in shame when taking me to a festival in her home town of Ishioka, but every woman there made it quite clear that the white boy was not welcome there.

(And I know the difference between staring at someone with a different skin color and hatred).

[JerseyDvl]

I too always appreciate your your informative posts. Would you as an American in Tokyo bow before the emperor? Thanks in advance for your insight.

[AmericanInTokyo]

Initially it will get much more attention in Japan than in the USA.

[AmericanInTokyo]

As a private American I would take his lead, him being the Emperor. I would bow if necessary, not that low but certainly watching him to go a slight notch lower, and I certainly would not extend my hand while bowing. It is all academic because I doubt he would bow to me and would probably do the Western style. He might bow if I were sandwhiched in a group of two or three Japanese, in which case I would spin on a dime and do what those were doing around me, in perfect Japanese style and timing. But if one on one, it is also certain 100% it would be a mutual handshake. I would use my best keigo (respectful form of Japanese language, but I would also not blab on and maybe say one short sentence and wait for him to ask ME the questions).I might, (in the handshake and me as a private citizen, not President representing an entire nation), naturally considering the level of such a person as Emperor, bring my head down a bit out of some respect but never a 90-degree at the waist, hand outstretched like that funny looking Obama individual. That has to be the most ridiculous-looking thing.

Now as President? I do what nearly all world leaders do and have done and should be trained in. Respectful, friendly handshake, no bow, eye contact maintained, warm, relaxed smile (everything Obama was NOT).

[Mamzelle]

I remember Hawaii had many Japanese “ichiban”—Obama must have know his share of Japanese families. He ought to have known something of Japanese bowing etiquette.

[Billthedrill]

Oh, boy. I haven't weighed in on this one because I actually have a bit of sympathy for 0bama here - it isn't really that difficult to get the Japanese bow but if you don't understand what you're trying to communicate you end up looking like, well, like that.

The Japanese, being Japanese, will forgive him almost anything for trying. Lord knows they forgave me enough during my time there. But somebody really, really let 0bama down if they didn't at least tell him what the protocols are. What do we have a State Department for, anyway?

The Emperor probably thinks he's goofy but sweet, which is what they think of most of us gaijin and sometimes it's the best they do think. But this isn't some dumb E-3 visiting his Japanese counterparts' parents' home, it's the head of state, and it makes me angry to see him appear as ignorant as...well, as I did sometimes. Yoroshiku onegaishimasu.

[El Gato]

I’ve been thinking about this, and many of Obummer’s other foreign policy fook ups. Are he and his advisors really that stupid, or are they deliberately trying to damage relations with our best and closest allies? They give inappropriate gifts to the Queen of England, have bad things to say about the Germans and French. Now their ticking off the Japanese. Who’s next? Australia and New Zealand?

[AmericanInTokyo]

Your points are all well taken and good. Issue now is whether he got the brief from State/Embassy and what they specifically advised. If it was not to do it and he ignored it, that says something. If they said to bow like that (harder to believe) that also says something. It also says something that, what with his self-proclaimed knowledge of Asia-Pacific and culture which he arrogantly talked about on this trip, if the State gave him bum deal and told him to bow like a fool, he would know it was crap and would disregard it and do just the handshake.

Fact is, either way you cut it, Obama should have known better, he was either misled and failed to catch it, or they prepped him and he ignored it, or they did not prep him at all, and he either had this on his mind from the beginning as some kind of show, or he just winged it at the last moment ("freelanced" it as I am fond of saying), making a fool of himself regardless. One of those flavors of macha ice cream I am afraid.

[RightField]

Here are many of the same pics, set to music.

Obama Bow ... The Musical

[pissant]

It was completely appropriate.....for a groveling anti-American worm.

[JerseyDvl]

You are an invaluable resource and your reply will certainly be remembered if I run into any sycophants who try to excuse this foolishness. This is a rare instance where Obumble has stumbled on the world stage and the US propagandists can’t completely cover it up. I expect to see this photo in campaign commercials along with him bowing to the Saudi King in the near future. Godspeed FRiend and thanks again.