Dance on

It really looks like he's thinking "We are not amused" - (in a previous photo he really looked scared out of his wits...)

Looks like Abe is studying movement of Tangata Whenua. His entourage must have included Japanese scholars who specializes on Polynesian and Maori culture. Before going oversea countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs usually brief (lecture) about the countries, anyway, .He is a very thoughtful Manuhiri.

And, I wonder, what is the real meaning of this dances trotted out for tourists and visiting dignitaries? "Give us back our land?"

@Patricia: It is Manakitanga dance/ Maori welcomes toward dignitaries. Japan had similar culture during feudal era. Shinai Odorii, (especiallu Ni-ten-ryu), Hozo-in-ryu Yari-gamae..

@toshiko

It is Manakitanga dance/ Maori welcomes toward dignitaries.

I think you'll find that they're Aborigines...

As an Australian, I'm somewhat perplexed over the imagery of Aborigines dancing with an iron ore mine in the background...

@toshiko

Looks like Abe is studying movement of Tangata Whenua. His entourage must have included Japanese scholars who specializes on Polynesian and Maori culture. Before going oversea countries, Ministry of Foreign Affairs usually brief (lecture) about the countries, anyway, .He is a very thoughtful Manuhiri.

Um, yeah...like sighclops said, Manuhiri is a Maori concept & these are Aborigines. At least you tried to do your homework, but they are very different cultures yeah.

@sighclops: There are too many different aborigine people in the world. So, are Maoriis. Just like we are classified differently like Japanese, Chinese, Korean, etc under Mongorian, New Zealand natives were called Maoris, there are other Maoris in the world so people don't call aborigines. Calling New Zealand Maoris ias aborigines is just like calling Japanese, Korean, Chinese as Mongolian.

@toshiko

There are too many different aborigine people in the world. So, are Maoriis. Just like we are classified differently like Japanese, Chinese, Korean, etc under Mongorian, New Zealand natives were called Maoris, there are other Maoris in the world so people don't call aborigines. Calling New Zealand Maoris ias aborigines is just like calling Japanese, Korean, Chinese as Mongolian.

Yes, I understand where you're coming from, but what you're referring to is an "aborigine", not an "Aborigine". The noun "aborigine" can refer to a person, animal or even plant from its country of origin - whereas an "Aborigine" is native to Australia. The people pictured are most definitely Aborigines! Aboriginal & Maori cultures are vastly different.

@sighchops: ........ The picture stated. Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe, right, watches aboriginal dancers during a tour of the Rio Tinto West Angelas iron ore mine, in the Pilbara region of Western Australia, on Wednesday.. '

aboriginal dancers the article stated. (Not Aborinonal dancers) I believe dancers are Western Australian Aborigine tribe people, like you stated. Abe finished NZ tours so he is in Ausie now.

It really looks like he's thinking "We are not amused" - (in a previous photo he really looked scared out of his wits...)

And I would say he has a look of curiosity.

Somebody else might suggest he wants to pass gas or is having trouble restraining his excitement.

Or maybe he's cold, considering that it's Winter.

It's good to know some of the AbOriginals and their unique culture which includes dance has survived into the modern era. Should Prime Minister Abe exchange notes with Prince and Princess Akishino, he will see that there is much in common between the dance styles of Australia and Zambia in Africa where the they visited last month https://fbcdn-sphotos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xpa1/t1.0-9/10431472_10152324755832730_967743217125670442_n.jpg