picture of the day

Meeting of minds

38 Comments

Prime Minister Naoto Kan chats with U.S. Pacific Command Commander Admiral Robert F Willard at the prime minister's official residence in Tokyo on Tuesday.

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It looks like Kan is trying to make a humorous remark in English and Willard is wondering what he is doing sitting there and when should he respond with a compliment.

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Herod meeting with Pontius Pilate

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I bet willard was thinking that he made a huge mistake by having this meeting with kan because it was probably very unproductive and so very boring to watch a Japanese trying to act like an American with his boring and weird jokes.

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For 2 countries trying to curtail unecessary spending withing the Gov't, why is there two translators instead of one?

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At first I thought Pope Benedict XVI was with Kan.

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Gurukun have a think i'm sure the answer will eventually come

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Why bother now? In September a new PM is elected and all talks start over once again.

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Gurukun, trust but verify what the other side is saying, that's why

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alladin at 07:55 AM JST - 25th August I bet willard was thinking that he made a huge mistake by having this >meeting with kan because it was probably very unproductive and so very >boring to watch a Japanese trying to act like an American with his >boring and weird jokes.

Why would Kan or any Japanese PM having a meeting in his own residence in Japan have to try to act like an American? And what exactly is "acting American"?" Was Kan chewing gum and listening to an ipod during the meeting?

Gurukun at 07:56 AM JST - 25th August For 2 countries trying to curtail unecessary spending withing the Gov't, >why is there two translators instead of one?

Standard protocol in diplomatic official meetings so the one translator can't manipulate the exchange.

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Kan must be thinking "yaaa! mabushi kono hito!"

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"yaaa! mabushi kono hito!"

Hahaha good one & true hard on the eyes

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TumbleDry,

Yup, Kan wishes he brought his sunglasses alright.

The admiral has that look in his eyes, "You wait till the next WBC and we'll kick your behind. The last two don't count because it was in the off season"

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Ummm...eto ne....to tell you the truth....i will....ah no....probably be prime minister for only another month or so....hahahaha...(the photo was taken during the hahaha part of his speech).

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The left chair is intentionally too low. (Japanese are expected to have short legs?) Probably very uncomfortable.

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I met the Admiral back in my old navy days. A former F-14 Tomcat pilot and a true hard baller. It's his way or the highway.

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Guys, your comments are hilarious.

Electric, the guy on the left chair is too heavy and thus it looks like it is low. Anyway, I like the look on he translator lady.

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The guy on the left looks like a movie star... maybe James Caan or Robert Duval. kakoi!!

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That USN summer dress is an overkill, which is appropriate in describing his carrer as a naval aviator. This man can also keep a straight face when asked the dumbest questions by politicians. He is a true bro, Japan is lucky to have such a great man as its vanguard.

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love the white sneakers on the 80 year old man. great style.

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The guy on the left looks like a movie star... maybe James Caan or Robert Duval. kakoi!!

FYI, I used to work for ADM Willard, and for those who didn't know this, it was him who was doing all of the F-14 flying in the movie "Top Gun" that Tom Cruise was doing. You can even here them mention his name in the later part of the movie when Maverick is launched in the Alert 5 and the CIC officer ask who's next and they say "Willard is stuck on the catapult."

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Just the mannerisms and facial expressions clearly show who is the alpha dog in this relationship. Kan looks like a nervous school boy who has been called to the principal's office. He is clearly out of his league discussing defense strategy with someone of Willard's stature. He knows enough just to be dangerous -- and send mixed signals.

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Admiral: "How are you?"

Kan: "Ehh, eto....I am-u a little fine!"

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Admiral Willard looks like a guy you don't want to mess around with.

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why the translator are both japanese?

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why are they wearing shoes????

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Stardot1988 at 06:59 PM JST - 25th August why the translator are both japanese?

How can you be certain of that? The US translator could easily be Japanese-American or any other American of Asian background.

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I never liked that pure white Navy uniform, the shoes and socks should be black, the cuffs on the jacket, collar and eplets should be black. Their should be a stripe down middle highlighting the area of the buttons and the pocket flaps should be black also. The pants should have a stripe down side that is black also and belt should be black. This would make the uniform look much better, bolder and more military yet clean and professional.

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He looks like a doorman at one of those expensive hotels. The PM looks like an undertaker who chose the wrong tie.

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"That USN summer dress is an overkill"

Jack Nicholson would say, "What're you doin' wearing that faggoty white uniform?" Ha ha ha!

Jokes aside, I wouldn't want to get on the admiral's bad side.

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Why does the PM of Japan have to suck up to a US soldier?

He ain't a soldier son, he be a Naval Aviator!. Suck up? Nah, they are just shooting the breeze.

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"love the white sneakers"

They're not sneakers, they're dress shoes, if you can believe that.

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Another Navy uniform I hate is the popeye blue shirt and blue jean type of pants with bell bottoms and pockets that are square, sewn outside of the pants and look like they were designed for only carrying an I/D card or credit card so it would not give a bulgeing appearance.If your fingers were cold you could put them in the front pockets if you don't mind looking like chicken man with elbows stuck out. The Navy has some of the most useless uniforms!

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Patrick Smash at 08:58 PM JST - 25th August Why does the PM of Japan have to suck up to a US soldier? Japan truly is >a US colony still.

What part of the article or photo suggests the J-PM is doing anything, sucking up or otherwise?

Sarge at 10:02 PM JST - 25th August "love the white sneakers" They're not sneakers, they're dress shoes, if you can believe that.

Looks to me like the Admiral can go straight to the golf course after this.

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Most politicians and such prefer their own personal interpreter. She might or not be a Japanese national.

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Naval white uniforms are pure class.

"As the Commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, he was responsible for the world’s largest fleet command, encompassing 100 million square miles and more than 170 ships and submarines, 1,300 aircraft, and 122,000 Sailors, Reservists and civilians." Wikipedia.

That's some serious whipass!! Respect.

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As the Commander of the Pacific Forces, he also oversees the Marine bases under his command. So he probably has a real good reason for chatting with the Prime Minister. (Anybody hear of a Marine base named Futenma?) This guy only has TWO people above him in the Chain of Command: The Secretary of the Navy and the President of the United States.

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The Secretary of the Navy

You mean the Defense Secretary?

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Jkanda:

About the too low chair, I mean it. I once was in a more expensive western style restaurant in Yokohama with my family. And the waiter of the restaurant explained to me, that they had imported the pluschy chairs from France and then cut the legs of the chairs, because some japanese customers expect the chairs being too low as normal. Gaman!

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