How low will he go? Obama gives Japan's Emperor Akihito a wow bow (Updates with videos, pic)

(New UPDATE: Monday 5:02 p.m. OK, it's not funny if you work at the White House. But for everybody else a new video at the bottom of this post will provide some chuckles about how the rest of the world chooses to greet the Japanese Emperor. Hint: It's different than President Obama.)

(UPDATES: 12:22 p.m. Saturday. A brief news video has been added below, showing the greeting in this photograph. Contrary to some claims, the video shows no reciprocal bow by the emperor, who traditionally bows to no one. And we've added a file photo from 2007 of Vice President Dick Cheney greeting the Japanese Emperor at the same residence in a different fashion.)

How low will the new American president go for the world's royalty?

This photo will get Democrat President Obama a lot of approving nods in Japan this weekend, especially among the older generation of Japanese who still pay attention to the royal family living in its downtown castle. Very low bows like this are a sign of great respect and deference to a superior.

To some in the United States, however, an upright handshake might have looked better. (See Cheney-Akihito photo, right).

Remember Michelle Obama casually patting Britain's Queen Elizabeth on the back during their Buckingham Palace visit? America's royalty tends to make movies and get bad reviews and lots of money as a sign of respect.

Obama could receive some frowns back home as he did for his not-quite-this-low-or-maybe-about-the-same-bow to the Saudi king not so long ago. (See photo here)

How times change under Democratic presidents.

Back in 1994 when President Bill Clinton appeared to maybe perhaps almost start to bow to Akihito at a White House encounter, U.S. officials rushed to deny it was any such a thing. And the N.Y. Times chronicled the comedic drama here.

Akihito, who turns 76 next month, is the eldest son and fifth child of Emperor Showa, the name given to an emperor and his reign after his death.

Emperor Showa is better known abroad by the life name of Hirohito. He became emperor in 1925 and died in 1989, the longest historically-known rule of the nation's 125 emperors.

Hirohito presided over his nation's growth from an undeveloped agrarian economy into the expansionist military power and ally of Nazi Germany of the 1930's.

And, later, Japan became a global economic giant. Hirohito, along with Prime Minister Hideki Tojo, who authorized the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor, were much reviled abroad during World War II.

Historically, debate has simmered over how much of a political puppet Hirohito was to the country's military before and during the war.

Even after Democratic President Harry Truman ordered the two atom bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in the summer of 1945, there were strong forces within Japan that wanted to continue to fight the Americans in the spirit of kamikaze suicide pilots.

But Akihito's father went on national radio, the first time his subjects had ever heard Hirohito's voice, and without using the inflammatory word "surrender," pronounced that the country must "accept the unacceptable." It did.

As the conquering Allied general and then presiding officer of the U.S. occupation, Gen. Douglas MacArthur, decided to allow Japan to keep its emperor as a ceremonial unifying institution within a nascent democracy.

Tojo, on the other hand, was hanged.

MacArthur treated Emperor Hirohito respectfully but, as his body language in this black and white postwar photo demonstrates, was not particularly deferential. 

(But then MacArthur was not known as a particularly deferential person, as Truman discovered just before firing him later. But that's another war.)

Akihito was born during Japan's conquering of China and was evacuated during the devastating American fire-bombing of Tokyo, which was built largely of wood in those days.

The future emperor learned English during the U.S. occupation, but, inexplicably, his father ordered that his oldest boy not receive an Army commission as previous imperial heirs always had.

Akihito assumed the throne on Jan. 7, 1989. Within weeks he began a series of formal expressions of remorse to Asian countries for Japan's actions during his....

...father's reign. In 2003, he underwent surgery for prostate cancer.

In 1959, Akihito married Michiko Shoda, the first commoner allowed to enter the Japanese royal family. That was two years before the birth of Akihito's future presidential guest, Barack Obama.

Joe Biden was already 17 by then. But he wasn't a senator.

(UPDATE: Here's a new video assembled by some clever College Republicans at the University of Connecticut. It's even got music and requires no explanation.

-- Andrew Malcolm

No bowing necessary here. Just click here to get Twitter alerts of each new Ticket item. Or follow us @latimestot. And we're also over here on Facebook.

Photo: Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty; David Bohrer / White House (Vice President Dick Cheney greets Emperor Akihito somewhat differently in 2007); Reuters (Obama bows to the king of Saudi Arabia earlier this year); U.S. Army Archives (Gen. Douglas MacArthur not bowing to Emperor Hirohito after World War II).

Comments

[johngifu]

Not a problem at all with the American president bowing to the Japanese emperor. President Obama is respecting the culture of Japan and showing respect to a person who has the title of emporer in Japan. I wish more American leaders would have this respect for other cultures and peoples as this man has and is humble enough to show them.

Japan Australia

[johngifu]

Not a problem with the President of the United States bowing to the Japanese emperor. Mr Obama has shown great respect to the emperor of Japan and great cultural awareness. I wish more American leaders had the humility and International understanding of Mr Obama.

Japan Australia”

[Aya]

I think some of you need to read up on Japanese culture before making unfounded statements. In Japan, bowing is used to greet people. It's called etiquette. At least Obama went out of his way to read up on the culture to see how it's customary to greet people in Japan. I realize that we all come from different cultures, but showing respect and knowledge, not stubbornness and pigheadedness to please some uneducated multitude, will be much more appreciated.
You think people abroad are going to appreciate this self-righteousness some of you seem to have? People aren't particularly happy with many Americans abroad; I'm not saying we should lick foreign nations' shoes, but observing traditions when abroad is called being educated and well-mannered; not doing so is just plain rude.
I'm a high school student and I seem to have the sense not to regurgitate everything the media says. Please stop being so childish, really. And do some research before flooding the comments with completely idiotic statements.

[Zan]

It's called cultural sensitivty and royal protocol, you hicks.

[Cindy]

Hurray - the president does the right thing AGAIN. God bless America (and Japan.)

[Simple Etiquette]

It isn't proper for non-Japanese people to bow to the Emperor of Japan. It's not about being a macho American or a courteous American, or about showing respect or lack thereof. It's simply a question of whether one is or is not a subject of the Emperor, and Barack Obama is not.

I can't help thinking it's a bit sad that I know more international protocol than our current President (although, in fairness, he has bigger issues to which he should rightly direct his attention).

[alexandria]

I think that President Obama bowed to show respect. Why is everything that he does criticized so negatively? Is this because he is Black?

[Bernie]

this guy is a joke,nothin else to say

[Tommy]

I can understand people being angery over it however...
And try and understand this from a Japanese point of view, from the Emperors point of view...

Obama is not equal to The Emperor, to a King, Queen, Prince ect. Not from THEIR point of view, they are royalty, in most cases head of the church, and sometimes revered for being chosen by God (Or The Gods) to rule over their nation. Powerful stuff from a cultural point of view, not to mention the Emperor comes from long line of Emperors.

In alot of ways, he was not bowing to the Emperor but to the Japense people who the Emperor was meant to represent, I mean, if your Japenese (Or a Normal person of any nationality) You would be expected to Bow, the point of American democracy is, it is a normal person ruling normal people, thats why its fair, so if Obama is normal, not Royality, why shouldnt he bow? Isnt it a tesimony to democracy for him to do so?

[Tommy]

Ive already posted but from I can see, Americans will never understand the importance of a Monarcy (Or most of them anyway) And the respect they are due

And yes Im insulted that he bows for the Emeror but not the Queen, I thought Britain and America were close Allies, it appears as though your country will be changing tunes soon, unless he starts bowing to the Queen too, or treats them all the same...

[VJ]

The United States was formed to break free from monarchy. The Declaration of Independence states "all men are created equal". Therefore, no one, including the President and any citizen, has to bow to anyone. We should still respect other foreign leaders, but only as a foreign leader, and not some supreme being.

Now my question to those who say it is Japanese custom for people to bow when they greet each other. Did Akihito bow in return to the President's bow? No he did not, so Akihito is not following Japanese custom, and therefore, our President should not follow Japanese custom.

And for those who think monarchs are revered as God, that is a formula for a dictatorship.

[yuki]

i think that its great that he is bowing. it shows that he respects other countrie's culture, and its a great way to start building or establishing an even stronger relationship to foreign leaders than america's previous leaders.

[bill]

The only people that Obama disresoects are we citizens.

[Why]

Wouldn't nobody be talking about this if obama was white. Only White poeple think they know who to do things. Does it ever occur to you people that maybe he was nervous. All I see and all I hear is all these people(white people) talking about obama. It is racial. Anyone posting this talking about he didn't bow to the Queen is because she's A: White B:A Woman. How steriotypical of you!!

[MK]

oh no! He showed respect for an old man who the US has international relations with... By doing so, I'm sure everyone will take advantage of the situation and come conquer America. Come on, people. He's the President of the United States -- performing a polite bow doesn't show weakness; I doubt Akihito has forgotten the country that stripped him of his godhood. This isn't some sort of showdown either. What's in the past is long in the past, and Obama is just being polite and respectful. At least if you're going to attack the man's behavior, do it in regards to something legitimate.

[Bob]

Yea I understand the idea of respecting Japanese culture but what about American culture? American leaders DO NOT bow to anyone they look you in the eye and firmly shake your hand. I dont care if it is God himself. Besides did any of these leaders bow to Obama? I wish Obama would just disappear... What a mistake electing this poor excuse for a man. I would take that b**** Hilary over Obama any day. At least the America would still have some freedoms.

[Senen]

I saw President Bush kneeling down at the coffin of Pope John Paul II, was that okay??

[alice]

Dont you people know that in Japan when people meet each other they bow Obama was being polite and not offending their culture everyone does it

[G.]

If others lacks of protocol, and/or politeness, its their problem.
Your President's gesture honors himself. And, by that, your nation.

[Muter]

I am sick of people talking about the President's act. Just because he has learned others' cultures and act appropriately. Does NOT mean that you low life has to show your ignorance!

[TV]

All events of meeting is international, he should have stick to a standard friendly and sincere hand shack, after all thats what all his counterpart did! What a fool Obama is, he is shaming USA live all over the world!

[Hiya]

If Obama show respect to other countries then they will most like would want to do business with America. It is all about respect and there's nothing wrong with bowing.

[Stephen]

I think he did go a bit too far, after all HIM (not a capitalized version of the pronoun, but an acronym for His Imperial Majesty) Akihito and President Obama do (basically) hold the same positions within their respective governments. Obama is not a subject of the Emperor, BUT I do believe that he did right by bowing to the emperor. By Japanese culture, and in a way most Western cultures, Akihito is Obama's superior, for one reason. Akihito is several (SEVERAL!!!) years Obama's senior. This is where I feel that Obama was justified in his bow to HIM. He wasn't saying that we, as a country, are bowing to the will of Japan, it is a showing of respect for HIM. Also Japan is several (SEVERAL!!!) centuries older than the US, so this is a bow of respect to Nippon (Japanese name for the country of Japan) as a country.

Why do people of the US have such a big problem with our president adhering to the cultures of other countries? After all, our culture isn't unique. It is a combination of several different aspects from several different cultures. I'm sorry, I just think that people have WAY overreacted to his bow. Get over it, he was showing respect to a man who is much older and demands much more respect from his subjects. Obama could learn A LOT from HIM.

@Sandra, Obama is NOT Muslim, and how is lacking leadership skills by showing respect to a man much older than he is? If anything he has shown that he possess impeccable leadership skills.

@Jim S, he isn't grovelling, bowing is a sign of respect in Japanese culture, that's exactly what he was doing. SHOWING RESPECT! Obviously respect is a concept that a lot of my fellow Americans don't understand... It is a bit disheartening.

[...]

In case you all aren't aware, it is respectful to bow to an elder in Japanese culture, regardless of your position in your own government. It is considered disrespectful not too.

[Alex]

What a stupid article, you people never heard of something called protocol, I believe. Obama showed his respect for Japanese culture by following an ancient tradition of the country, that's all. What's the big deal? Cheney, on the other hand, acted like a typical ignorant red neck neocon who doesn't care about other countries and who believes the world starts on the US east coast and ends in Hawaii. Bowing is part of the Japanese culture and customs, you see it everyday all the time, and it is a matter of respect to bow to the Emperor, a head of government can do it and it doesn't mean he is being low or acting as an inferior being. That's total paranoia.

[Johnny]

You racist fools!

Obama was just respecting a foreing custom you bunch of stupid rednecks.
A true american would know when to kneel and when to stand up. That means education! I can´t believe your arrogance and "prepotentia".

[MikulasBelly]

I would say that this was a great example of being educated in the diplomatic sides. Bravo.

[raine35]

as I remember correctly. The bible specifically says to bow to no man. This wouldn't be a problem except for one small thing.... HE SAID HE WAS A CHRISTIAN. He's a liar, or a fool. Or he's the anti-christ. No joke. "The world will love him." nobody referred to the peoples in the bible loving him. Just "the world." what represents the world? the Leaders... how better to be loved than be a knee scraping lunatic, that obviously f'ing bowed, he's standing up straight, with his butt backward, he did not trip! and he's looking down... he is not getting a better look at his face! morons...

[bob guertin]

what else do you expect from 0bambi,a mere deer in the headlights ? leader of the most powerful nation on earth ?doesn't look like it does it ? he bowed to the saudi king because obambi is a muslim. he's a man/boy so far over his head he has to appoint many many tzars.is this a romanoff wedding ? no. it's because he has never ran anything in his life.no experience.we have an incompetent at the helm.and the first woman is as bad or worse. deplaneing from hubby's favorite toy she looked like a hooker working the beach crowd. nice pair. feel more secure now ? uh huh !

[Qawra hotels]

What is wrong with bowing? I think what Pres. Obama did was great... he's a real man of honor and respect. It's very flattering to have a leader who respects others, whether they're leaders or civilians. To Pres. Obama's parents, you have raised a great leader, wonderful person... congratulations! Pres. Obama, we are proud of you!

[Sed]

What is wrong with a bow - it does not subordinate the US or Obama. Anyone who has a problem with this is simply an uneducated redneck.

[Luna]

A low bow is a sign of respect, and if the others had not show such - so much more I respect Obama for doing it. Absent in the video above was the scene of the very low courtesy bow with which Princesse Diana always saluted the Japanese Imperial family. It is beautiful that a president of a democratic country shows profound respect for the tradition of royalty. Only someone who really knows one's own worth can do it. Admirable!

[Anon]

Hey idiots, in Japan it is a custom. And remember, Bush KISSED a Saudi leader. Remember that when you get all wound up over Obama simply bowing. I thought you guys hated gays? I don't recall the Saudi Leader being female.

[adam]

Very impressive stuff. thanks for sharing