Why is he bowing to the Japanese Emperor Akihito?

Reuters photo ^ | 11-14-09

[Echo4C]

They could have at least taught him how to bow properly. Bowing that low in this kind of situation is considered almost an insult, like he’s mocking them. Just another gaff for our “worldly” president.

[eyedigress]

You know it. This guy is as fake as they come.

[Lucius Cornelius Sulla]

Hey Zero - AMERICANS DO NOT BOW TO FOREIGNERS!

When one head of state bows to another they are accepting the other head of state as their country's overlord. We are now the subjects of Japan!

[TigersEye]

The correct protocol in Japan is to bow, same depth, same duration. What The Usurper is doing is tantamount to prostrating himself. ...- is this a correct analysis?

AmericanInTokyo might have a thought on that too.

[freespirited]

Why the dramatic show of reverence ... ?

Because he knows that the You Lie Media will never put this photo on the front page.

[blackbart.223]

See post #37.

[Electric Graffiti]

Emperor Akihito pops the Kenyan on the top of his head and sez...'when you bow, never take your eyes off your opponent.'

What a Maroon.

[TigersEye]

IOWs he just surrendered to Japan. This may give us an idea of how long it will take him to make a decision about Afghanistan.

[Candor7]

This is a weird picture. The problem is that Akahito is NOT bowing back even a little as is the custom in Japan.Nor is the Empress.

Whay say you AIT?

[savedbygrace]

Pinging you to this thread to expound on the Japanese culture WRT bowing. When, who, how much?

Thanks.

I’m thinking 0 is bowing way too low and the Emperor is not bowing enough (but, influenced by the overdone bow of 0, he probably figured he didn’t need to.

[mplsconservative]

I agree. I teach my 12 year old son the importance of manners and protocol. They are a hallmark of a civil society. 0 and crew seem like they just make it up as they go along based on something they saw in the movies when they were adolescents. I do, quite frankly, believe this is a cover-up to his bow to the Saudis.

[TheBigIf]

They are both too busy laughing. Look at the picture.

[eyedigress]

Just ask the DU. He dropped something and is looking for it.
(I wonder what?) Sheesh!

[swheats]

In all my years I’ve never seen an American president bowing as much as this man. He is embarrassing.

[Just A Nobody]

Actually that was the first thought I had simply by reading the title. Good catch!

[TheBigIf]

Both the Japanese Emperor and his wife have their eyes squarely on Oba Mao and have expressions of amusement.

[TigersEye]

He dropped something and is looking for it. (I wonder what?)

He had to take his hands off of his balls to take the Emperor's hand so...

[pandoraou812]

I hope they feed him rotten sushi at some point. Just shaking my head again....

[Washi]

Actually, this is a greater act of submission than is apparent on the surface.

The correct protocol in Japan is to bow, same depth, same duration. What The Usurper is doing is tantamount to prostrating himself.

Candor7, you know Japanese customs better than I - is this a correct analysis?

I lived in Japan for eleven years. Your analysis is spot on. He is bowing WAY beyond what protocol calls for.

One of three possible reasons, which have all been speculated on earlier on this thread:

1. Covering for his bow in Saudi Arabia
2. Apologizing for being American
3. Too stupid to know better, or listen to advisors who know better

[Electric Graffiti]

Akihito has converted to Islam?

LMAO. He must have.