Japan expert tells ABC that Obama's bow to the Emperor did make him look foolish
On the ABC News blog of Jake Tapper (via Hot Air), a Japanese expert has said Obama did make himself look like a fool:
“Obama’s handshake/forward lurch was so jarring and inappropriate it recalls Bush’s back-rub of Merkel.At least one newspaper in Japan isn't even running the photos out of embarrassment. Curiously enough is that Obama shook hands with the Empress yet didn't make much of a bow to her. Is that because a woman, in his mind, isn't qualified for as much respect as a man?
“Kyodo News is running his appropriate and reciprocated nod and shake with the Empress, certainly to show the president as dignified, and not in the form of a first year English teacher trying to impress with Karate Kid-level knowledge of Japanese customs.
“The bow as he performed did not just display weakness in Red State terms, but evoked weakness in Japanese terms [...].The last thing the Japanese want or need is a weak looking American president and, again, in all ways, he unintentionally played that part."
Labels: Asia, Japan, United States
