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© KYODOGov't arranging emperor's meeting with Trump
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OssanAmerica
Royals today for the most part aren't "Leaders" of their country. That role is carried out by their Presidents and Prime Ministers. And yes, no matter what Trump does or doesn't do, the media will be all over it.
Halwick
Well, the consensus here is that no matter what Trump does or not do when he meets the Emperor, a big deal will be made about something and you all will all blast him anyway.
But I agree with @bass4funk, the US President shouldn't bow to any foreigner leader-period.
toshiko
Melania and Empress can speak in English.
toshiko
Emperor may look up Trump. He is not familiar to bow like foreigners do and we Japanese laugh at them. "Okashiine. Atamao sageteru."
katsu78
Um, bowing isn't getting a title of nobility. Nor is it getting a present, emolument, office, or title.
Seriously, the Constitution says nothing about bowing, because the people who wrote it weren't micromanaging, opportunistic nitwits.
It's not a big deal, move on with your life.
bass4funk
No, he should shake his hand or not, Trump does have excessive OCD, so that would be interesting to see.
Ok, Smith, relax. I get the impression you don't like Trump for some reason.
I see...lol...anyway, The US president shouldn't bow to any foreigner leader-period.
ulysses
The emperor better not displease Trump or he will be referred to as 'Little Aki' in the future.
theeastisred
I'm waiting for him to walk on the tatami in his shoes. On purpose. Because no US president removes his shoes before any other world leader.
Dan Lewis
Would be funny if the emperor told Trump to "Bend the knee."
Strangerland
The US government has showed itself to be clueless on more than one occasion in time. This is just another example.
Fair enough. There is nothing wrong with not bowing, as long as proper respect is shown. But we are not discussing not bowing, we are discussing bowing. It's a sign of respect, not subservience.
No it doesn't. None of us chose the US. None of us elected the US. The US has decided it wants to lead the free world, and has gone out with its military and said "we're going to lead you". That doesn't mean they do lead us, only that they want to.
Paying respect to foreign leaders strengthens his position.
Nope.
You need to get out of that information bubble you're living in on the right, and open your eyes to how the world really works.
lucabrasi
That’s why Obama was not really respected among the many world leaders....
Whereas Trump is, right?
Loved by the masses for his ability to relate to common folk, yet held in reverent awe by those in government for his firm grasp of the geopolitical situation and the natural authority he exudes.
Awesome.
Halwick
Exactly right. There is US Constitutional and historical precedence why US Presidents do not bow to royalty.
The Founding Fathers made it clear that they despised royalty forms of government that dominated Europe at that time and incorporated it in the Constitution, i.e.,
Article I, section 9 of the U.S. Constitution states: "No Title of Nobility shall be granted by the United States: And no Person holding any Office of Profit or Trust under them, shall, without the Consent of the Congress, accept of any present, Emolument, Office, or Title, of any kind whatever, from any King, Prince or foreign State."
Thomas Jefferson set the precedence by not bowing to royalty when he was called upon to meet with the British monarchy and present his credentials. It wasn't out of disrespect or arrogance; In accordance to American values, he is showing he was an equal, not a subservient subject.
When Franklin D. Roosevelt met the king and queen of England in 1939, he did not bow either, or bow to any foreign leader.
When MacArthur met Hirohito, he didn't bow to the Emperor and was dressed in casual military attire and treated Hirohito as an equal. You all remember that famous 1945 picture.
The United States leads the free world, and it goes without saying that our President as Commander in Chief is duty bound to protect the nation, and our allies by treaty. He should act in such a way that strengthens, not weakens, his position.
When it comes to bowing before foreign leaders, there is a fine line between showing politeness and servility, between respect and weakness.
Apparently Obama forgot that lesson by bowing before a Saudi king and Japanese emperor. He sent an implicit message that the Leader of the Free World accepts the notion that some people are born to a higher rank than others. That's why Obama was not really respected among the many world leaders, especially by the Chinese and Russian leaders where symbolism of power is important.
OssanAmerica
Actually, the Emperor did bow as did the Empress, but very slightly (typical of old people)as they simultaneously shook hands.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FtT8wJaokOA
extanker
Well, the US State Department disagrees, which is why Obama got so much flack for doing it.
lucabrasi
@extanker
The Emperor isn’t a “world leader” like Trump, Abe, Merkel or May.
He’s a symbolic head of state, like the Queen in the UK or the King in Spain.
So bowing is a sign of respect towards the whole Japanese nation, rather than a form of national or self-abasement.
You can agree or disagree with the monarchical system. But it’s important to recognise the symbolism involved....
Strangerland
The fact that Obama did proves you wrong.
There are no rules for how world leaders interact with each other. There are simply customs, and customs evolve over time.
Maybe he was prepped to shake hands, and wasn't able to adjust accordingly. Or maybe [insert something else here]. Your comment is not conclusive.
extanker
Think what you want, but the fact is, world leaders do not bow to each other. You may have noticed that when Obama bowed to the Emperor, the Emperor did not return the bow, but did shake his hand. I wonder why.
OssanAmerica
That makes zero sense unless one is oblivious to customs in foreign countries and cultures. Shaking hands is a Western custom, which Japanese people do when in countries where it is customary. When two people bow on meeting in Japan today they are exchanging a greeting indicating mutual respect. Obama understood this. The Emperor shakes hands when visiting other countries. When leaders of other nations visit him, in his own country, they bow. When the ambassador of some vassal state bowed before a Chinese Emperor a thousand years ago while the Emperor remained seated on his throne, that signified subservience.
Strangerland
Ridiculous. It’s a sign of respect. Nothing more.
hachikoreloaded
Will the "rezident" repeat his recent verbal blunder and rehash it to refer to WW2 by saying "Japan knew what they were getting into" only to say after the fact, "never said that"?
The Emperor shouldn't waste a second of his time on "rezident" hump.
toshiko
Japanese etiquet. Low ranked family members boowbto high ranked family. Members.
extanker
For all you people arguing about bowing, it is proper political etiquette in all countries that NO world leader bow to another, no matter where they are.
Obama actually did make an etiquette mistake when he started bowing to other leaders. He really shouldn't have done it and Trump shouldn't either. World leaders always shake hands as a sign of mutual respect and equality. Bowing to another leader signals your country is subservient to theirs. No matter how you view it, in politics, it's just not supposed to happen.
toshiko
If Emperor welcomes Trump, this is none of our business.
OssanAmerica
It's not "Americans" doing it, it's Trump himself. You think for a moment that Trump pulled the US out of the TPP because he had a deep understanding of it's mechanics and goals? Trump is widely known to have some demented fixation on undoing anything Obama did.
ClippetyClop
How 'bout one of them dainty little curtseys he did when brown-nosing the Saudis? Can't wait for him to come though, should be very entertaining!
smithinjapan
bass4funk: "No, the US president should never bow to any foreign leader, I hope he doesn’t do that."
They should never HAVE to, no, but they should do so out of courtesy, and respect -- something Trump knows nothing about, but demands all the same. In fact, Trump IS the only one who should be forced to bow, and not only that, get on his knees and touch his head to the ground. Not for the Emperor, per say, but for the disgrace of a man Trump is, and for how he has destroyed the US and endangered the world in general.
smithinjapan
I bet it gets "cancelled" because of a "busy schedule" on the Japanese side. No way they want to risk the massive embarrassment Trump is going to cause the US and risk the Emperor and the IHA possibly having to try and save face.
FizzBit
Only Frodo, Sam, Pippin and Merry bow to no one.
Strangerland
What a stupid comment. That's like saying the president should never shake anyone's hand.
theeastisred
Angela Merkel is not mentioned anywhere in the article.
So, should a non-US leader bow to a US president? If the answer is Yes, what is the difference between the two scenarios?
nakanoguy01
i wonder what charming nickname trump will give the emperor before or after meeting him.
trump: i like emperors who don't retire. this guy is retiring so he's a loser. he looks like he has low energy, too. and trust me, his hands are definitely smaller than mine. his wife does look hot though. yo, michiko, wanna see my hands?
Goodlucktoyou
Why is Abe arranging it? He is a loser pm, just six years through cheating, corruption, scandals. Most people hate him. I have yet to meet a Japanese citizen who has any bad words about the emperor. Surely he can make his own plans?
Halwick
You mean like the way George H.W. Bush puked all over PM Miyazaki back in 1992? Let's hope Trump doesn't gorge on sushi and sashimi and re-enact the "Bushu-suru".
katsu78
The Emperor had best be careful. Trump is willing to spit on the grieving parents of dead US servicemen and women. Just imagine what he's willing to do to a rival h̶e̶a̶d̶ symbol of state.
Personally, I'm just hoping for snide comments about the lack of gold-covered fake-baroque decor, and an offer to renovate the Imperial Palace into something "bigly great."
Dan Lewis
I predict that Trump will either:
1) shake he emperor's hand nearly off
2) mistake a staffer for the emperor
3) say something stupid
4) all of the above, but number 3 repeatedly
Civitas Sine Suffragio
Would be great if the emp could give him a swift knee in the goolies...
Seth M
Americans shouldn't bring their domestic rift to the international stage. This "Obama did so Trump won't" is childish, if you are president you represent you country not a party.
OssanAmerica
Considering that Obama already met the Emperor, I'd be surprised if Trump would too. Like Obama visited Hiroshima, I don't see Trump doing that either.
domtoidi
I think it's very shrewd to meet Trump, knowing that he'll make a fool of himself in some way.
There is no downside for the emperor. His stature can only be elevated by being polite to the fool.
Miyam_Musashi
The Leader of the Free World will meet the Emperor of Japan. Full stop.
MAGA
goldorak
Like ALL euros Melania knows palace protocols, she'll talk to her hubby prior to the trip, should be fine.
European class does come in handy sometimes. Hmmmm
bass4funk
No, the US president should never bow to any foreign leader, I hope he doesn’t do that.
Only if there’s a valid reason.
Its not Trump that we need to underestimate, it’s the blood thirsty media and the moon bats on the left that’s looking for a cut that’s the real problem. Never miss an opportunity these losers.
Yubaru
Pray tell just what has he actually done so far? I mean seriously? His party controls both the house and senate, and he can't get a health reform package pushed through, not once, but twice, he spouts his mouth off like a senile old man, has the thinnest skin of any president EVER, with the way he responds to people who criticize him, and the list goes on....
What has he done to make his "record" so great?
Jimizo
The right attacked Obama for bowing to the emperor. If Trump bows, I suppose the right will see it as an example of how Trump has shown he's able to grasp the art of diplomacy. If Trump does something idiotic, the right will attack everyone for anti-Trump hysteria.
Trump will have to pull something truly rancid out of the bag to get the attention of all. Don't underestimate him.
SimondB
I can see so many ways in how this could go wrong. I mean, this is the same guy that was badmouthing the Pope via twitter.
Schopenhauer
I wish Trump will not embarrass the emperor.
gokai_wo_maneku
Maybe the Emperor can assuage Trump's dislike of Japan. My parents, the bankers, say that Trump came to Japan in 91 after the property bubble burst to become a big player in the Japanese property market, but nobody would take him seriously, hurting his pride. So he dislikes Japan.
papigiulio
Nonononononono, just leave these poor people alone. The Emperor and Empress have better things to do like ENJOY their retirement. The person who had this idea should be fired.
bluesky.greentrees
Trump forgot about Japan trade surplus & Yen.
Dango bong
wow I realize it is PC and fun to bash Trump, I am not a supporter but the economy, stock market and jobs market are sky high since he took over, I think his record is better so far than any President since Reagan.
Yubaru
You are being ever so kind calling Trump "mediocre".
Jeff Huffman
Gov't arranging emperor's meeting with Trump
Why?
yokohamarides
“I'm kinda of thinking he'll pull out his crazy power handshake and that will be it.”
You hope so. I’m afraid he might opt for “pull my finger”.
Speed
I don't think the Emperor should lower himself to meet with such a mediocre president.
Cricky
Why? The Emperor expressed his inclination to retire a year ago. He has probably no interest at all in meeting any head of state. An enforced photo opportunity that neither want.
OssanAmerica
Oh God no....I have this morbid fear that he's going to do or say something stupid causing a major embarrassment at best and a diplomatic crisis at worst. I wonder why I feel that way....
garypen
Oh great. Now he'll be confused about how Japan's government works.
He still hasn't quite figured out how the US one works.
SaikoPhysco
U.S. Conservatives were a bit ticked off when President Obama bowed to / with Emperor Akihito when they met years ago. To me, it is a mutual sign of respect between allied nations but what will Trump do. I'm kinda of thinking he'll pull out his crazy power handshake and that will be it.