Japan's reaction to bow plus Japanese

Obama bows as he greets the Emperor and Empress of Japan. Sign of respect or social gaffe?
(AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

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During Barack Obama’s first presidential visit to Japan, he managed to work in a private lunch with Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko. The lunch, which lasted about an hour, was reported to have just been the three of them plus one interpreter. While the topics of their lunchtime conversation remain a mystery, the Japanese media delightedly reported on the event, stating how Obama made a polite short English greeting before entering the palace.

Some in America, however, have picked up on the brief, but rather deep bow Obama made as he shook hands with the Emperor. 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."

While the Japanese media has largely avoided commenting on the incident, numerous comments have been made on Japanese blogs and open forums. The general comments have been rather different in tone from that of American counterparts. Here are some select comments made on several sites:

[All comments translated from Japanese]

• “What a bow!”
• “Such a deep bow from Obama, what a fine guy.”
• “I’m surprised he bowed. He’s really trying hard to meet the Japanese way!”
• “President Obama is a top-class person, isn’t he? Amazing!”
• “The Emperor is giving a nice smile!”
• “Is the Japanese Emperor really that special?”
• “The Emperor or the Pope, the President or the Prime Minister, whoever is greater is not something that I think can be decided objectively.”
• “I laughed because it was a much better bow than I had imagined.”
• “Obama’s huge!”
• “Obama has more of a true Japanese heart than most Japanese do.”