Over the weekend, the president of the United States managed once again to set off a firestorm of condemnation when he bowed deeply to Emperor Akihito of Japan. The last time this happened the White House embarrassed themselves by claiming Obama did not bow at all to the Saudi King.
Most Kool-Aid drinkers rushed to defend Obama by claiming he was being “respectful” to the Emperor. But the problem is Obama was actually very disrespectful to the Emperor by bowing deeply and not maintaining eye contact — a no-no in Japanese culture.
Then there’s the fact that Obama broke a longstanding protocol that dictates NO U.S. president bows down to Monarchs.
The video above shows 47 different greetings between the same Emperor Akihito and various heads of state. Only one person among them bows inappropriately. Can you guess who?
