The bow that shook a Nation

US media goes into a frenzy over President Barack Obama's low bow before Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko

The bow that shook a Nation

US media goes into a frenzy over President Barack Obama's low bow before Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko

However, the bow drew a lot of flak from the American media, with some even calling him 'groveller-in-chief'.

The Drudge Report gave a banner headline to a photo of the encounter: "Obama bows before Japan's Emperor."
Drudge linked to a Los Angeles Times blog post that headlined the photo: "How low will he go?"

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.

But the comical sight, which saw the President bend almost double, will no doubt earn him nods of approval in Japan, where a low bow is a sign of great respect and deference.

Not Bowled Over: Obama bows to the royals at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

Just protocol

Obama met the emperor and Empress Michiko at the Imperial Palace on Saturday, a stop on his nine-day Asian tour that will also see him take in Singapore and China.

A senior administration official said Obama was simply observing protocol when he bowed to the Japanese royals upon arriving at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo.

"I think that those who try to politicise those things are just way, way, way off base," the official said.

"He observes protocol. But I don't think anybody who was in Japan who saw his speech and the reaction to it would say anything other than that he enhanced both the position and the status of the US, relative to Japan.

Earlier this year, Obama was criticised for the way he greeted Saudi King Abdullah at a G-20 meeting.

The National Republican Senatorial Committee said Obama bowed to Abdullah, while the White House insisted Obama simply bent over to shake hands with the shorter king.

Net Outrage

Reader comments on https://latimesblogs.latimes.com

Obama to Emperor of Japan: "May I shine your shoes, Sir?"

Obama WASN'T bowing - He saw a Japanese Yen on the floor and went to pick it up because it might be worth more than our dollar!

Was that before or after he apologised for World War II?

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