Ishiba criticized in Japan for 'bad manners' at APEC summit

Footage showed Ishiba checking his smartphone while seated as leaders including Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau and Malaysia's Anwar Ibrahim approached him. Ishiba looked up from his phone and shook hands but did not stand up.

Tottori is very rural but has much natural beauty.

Shame on Ishiba for displaying the manners of an LDP provincial daimyo.

Prime Minister Ishiba’s phone use is a lot like what I see with my students. When he was checking his phone instead of engaging with other leaders, it felt pretty disrespectful. Similarly, when my students are glued to their phones in class, they miss out on what’s happening around them. It just goes to show how important it is to be present—whether you’re a world leader or a student. We really need to encourage everyone to put their phones down and focus on the moment!

Oafish uncouth, Shigeru Ishiba appears in complete duncish ignorance to register.

I can only wonder what his table manners are like.

Needs to get the boot. Enough with this clown already. He's going for broke setting the bar so low in the LDP and that's a pretty low bar already.

This? THIS is the focus of the public’s ire on their PM? Not the scandals, the billions wasted, corruption? But this? It is bad, but, come on Japan, show your outrage over the decades of LDP misrule instead.

@Allan

I understand your point but a leader has responsibilities and if he or she cannot do the task than this person is not suitable for that function. PM Ishiba has a function and needs to represent his function.

Even PM is. Ishiba is often seen sleeping during work. Is he suitable I don't believe he his with the same behavior as your students.

Basically people who consider themselves as "important person" (偉い人) will do that. However when important person go abroad, everything just the same and equal, some just not get used to it.

This? THIS is the focus of the public’s ire on their PM? Not the scandals, the billions wasted, corruption? But this? It is bad, but, come on Japan, show your outrage over the decades of LDP misrule instead

But this is exactly what happens here in Japan, small thing like proper etiquette, manners, etc are blown out of proportion and people are outraged. Meanwhile graft, theft and malfeasance is taking place, but nobody complains about that. Rather childish if you ask me. Should he be more polite, yes, is he a bit oafish, yes, is he as slick as Shinzo Abe, no, but then again Abe was the crookedest politician in a long time.

This? THIS is the focus of the public’s ire on their PM? Not the scandals, the billions wasted, corruption? But this? It is bad, but, come on Japan, show your outrage over the decades of LDP misrule instead.

Nailed it. "We can gaman with the three decades of stagnant wage growth and blatant government corruption, but sitting down while shaking hands is where we draw the line!"

People really don't have enough to do. In the picture he is giving a warm greeting, and it is being received well. If people are so easily embarrassed, they should start reading about all the world leaders in history. Maybe that will help put things into perspective.

Oh come on Mr. Ishiba. Take a moment, stand up and show a bit of respect to the host.

Oh come on , to the poster who disagrees with Mr. Ishiba needing to stand up for the greeting of the host . Guessing your manners may not be any different?

There was another footage that went viral on SNS a couple of weeks ago, showing Ishiba’s horrible table manners. He didn’t even know how to hold a bowl of rice properly. Apparently his parents weren’t very strict with him.

This is just stupid. A couple years ago when he was a minister I recall it being made into a scandal when he put his hands in his pockets during a press conference. Now its the double whammy of him shaking hands while seated and standing with his arms crossed.

The horror /s

A gentleman always rises to welcome a visitor and shake their hands especially when it's a lady he's meeting, anything else is incredibly rude and shows a lack of manners.

LDP needs to hire a consultant to train Ishiba on how to behave in an international setting. Domestic ones too it seems.

He represented Japan where it is known for highly polite and exceptionally good manner, but he embarrassed the whole nation so disgusting.

Footage showed Ishiba checking his smartphone while seated as Canadian counterpart Justin Trudeau approached him. 

That's about all the acknowledgement Trudeau deserves.

Jay

Couldn’t have put it better myself, lol

He is a bir of a card must say, but seems like a rather lethargic chap, dynamic is not a word that comes to mind with him.

Anyone else thinks that he is not just extremely rude and callous, but misogynistic also? So far, he was, by far, THE WORST leader of this summit, from all points of view.

Certainly the Foreign Ministry briefed this guy in diplomatic etiquette, right, RIGHT?

One would hope that such lessons would not even be needed when greeting a leader of a foreign country. A gentleman always stands to greet a lady in a formal setting.

Where are the Embassies, Consulates and Permanent Missions advisers?

https://www.mofa.go.jp/about/emb_cons/over/index.html

It is frankly remarkable nobody whispered in Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba ear and suggested the appropriate decorum.

Shaking a person,while seated is usual in America, even in a professional seating,he was not in Japan Bow Wow

Manners 101. And for those Japanese harping about Ishiba, how about looking at your other Japanese compadres, like taking your hat off in the building, at the dinner table, or when entering a place of worship or a place of solemnity. How about not having your kid screaming and running around and causing a disturbance, or giving up your seat on the train. He's just another Japanese like y'all, and it was done out of ignorance. If this got your goat, wait till trump comes along.

aaronagstring:

This? THIS is the focus of the public’s ire on their PM? Not the scandals, the billions wasted, corruption? But this? It is bad, but, come on Japan, show your outrage over the decades of LDP misrule instead.

Indeed. If this is the biggest criticism of Ishiba making the front page, he must be doing all right.

Sad to see this photo, it says a lot about the attitudes and etiquettes of the Bureaucrats

You stand up when greeting a lady, obviously.

So very Japanese that someone is given a free pass by the people even when his actions are extremely damaging for the country but it becomes a huge scandal when that someone have bad manners in an international context. It really shows the cultural priorities.

Knew this guy was an arrogant oaf. The way he dragged the families of the North Korean abductees out promising the impossible ( photo shoot ) , the way and tone that he talks to people as if they were children, missing the first APEC photo the other day due to traffic and now doesn’t have the sense nor the common decency to stand up for other world leaders that come to greet him. Clueless,

You've outdone yourselves with this one Japan.

He might have had some back pain or something we don't know about. But probably just being lazy.

Ishiba's onigiri eating is stomach turning:

https://x.com/mrjeffu/status/1859222253470417179

Not just stand up coz it's a woman in shaking hands, it is a common courtesy.

This is very unJapanese.

To be fair, the janitor at the conference place deserves about 10 times as much respect as Justina Trudeau...

Maybe he was just jet lagged.

Lazy politician.

inakakusai?

highly likely so....

The one of him stuffing an onigiri in his mouth sideways is very offputting. I wouldn't want someone near me doing that.

He gets a pass from me on dozing off because it sounds like he's not getting much time to sleep at night.

If, as suspected, the leader is mostly a puppet and power is wielded in the shadows, then yes, image is going to matter. The leader will not have achievements that might give them a pass for being coarse.

Total buffoon. Probably disinterested in even being there. Wonder if it was the dead fish handshake too.

@rainydayToday 07:45 am JST

This is just stupid. A couple years ago when he was a minister I recall it being made into a scandal when he put his hands in his pockets during a press conference. Now its the double whammy of him shaking hands while seated and standing with his arms crossed.

The horror /s

Now the United States elections are over, it seems they already have their second target Ishiba San. Whining about Trump doesn't cut it therefore a new target is necessary to keep the garbage news going.

The Ishiba cabinet’s support rate rose considerably this week, so he must be doing something right in the eyes of those who voted out his majority

This is what happens when a country put as it’s representative a former defence minister with a typical jiji bossy mentality.

No wonder Japan can’t get rid of it’s infamous reputation of being a misogynistic paternal society.

"So embarrassing,"

Yes, he is.

Typical oyaji behavior. They don't stand up for pregnant women, disabled people or small kids in the train either.

This is very unJapanese

This is actually very common among people here to have bad manners like that particularly among men.

I know nothing about this fella but it seems obvious the media do not like him if this is what they focus on.... there must be more substantive things to go after or is this a smokescreen?

In my opinion this is not an appropriate behaviour for a Prime Minister and definitely vulgar.

What surprises me in this situation is seeing Ishiba behaving in such superior and bossy way which is acceptable within the Japanese society for men of a certain age in power but it is absolutely a no no in the international thratre as for Japanese saving face is everything.

I knew that missed group photo screw up would be just one of a great many. He's going to squander whatever goodwill has been banked by past governments.

Does Ishiba know who or where he is?

He represents the country of Japan at home and abroad. He is pictured at an event of world leaders, APEC in this case.

Does he think persons approaching him are volunteers?

He seems quite disengaged.

He's minding his cell phone? Surely his aides can inform him of any crisis at home.

Certainly a sad showing, disgrace for the country, citizens of Japan.

I hope he apologizes publicly. Call an election.

I will judge him about his results.

And no one knows if he had pain standing up or ày issue to do that.

Sometimes people are not perfect but do a good job.

Problem usually in Japan as for politicians is style over matter only.

Here maybe none.

Can somebody explain to me what M. Shigeru has ever done with his two hands ?

He is already in a weak position after the election, and he is not really helping himself by first falling asleep during his inauguration and now this. Normally it would be a minor faux pas but with all the other things that has happened lately he really can't afford more bad publicity.

He might get along very well with the next POTUS.

He’s the PM, over there for a summit, proper etiquette would be to stand when greeting people, particularly if they are standing at the time and also if they are the host of the summit.

I think there should have been criticism of his praise for Fujimori - a dictator. But Japanese blood trumps all, I guess

how about cutting the 'noise' and having comments about his contributions to the outcome of the APEC sit-down summit? I note most of the above comments do not target his 'lack' of decorum.

Those being?

how about cutting the 'noise' and having comments about his contributions to the outcome of the APEC sit-down summit?

How about cutting the 'noise' and having comments about his contributions to the outcome of the APEC sit-down summit?

The 2024 APEC Summit in Lima, Peru, resulted in several significant outcomes:

Machu Picchu Declaration: This comprehensive roadmap aims to enhance economic collaboration among APEC economies. It focuses on trade and investment liberalization, supply chain resilience, anti-corruption measures, and sustainable economic practices

Lima Roadmap: This initiative promotes the transition to formal and global economies from 2025 to 2040, emphasizing inclusive and sustainable growth.

Ichma Statement: This statement revisits the Free Trade Area of the Asia-Pacific agenda, aiming to boost regional economic integration.

Geopolitical Discussions: Leaders discussed various geopolitical issues, including Russia's aggression in Ukraine, reflecting these discussions in a companion Chair’s Statement.

Public-Private Collaboration: The summit featured extensive collaboration between government officials and business leaders, focusing on global opportunities and challenges shaping economic, environmental, and societal trends.

Infrastructure: Built as part of the Belt and Road Initiative by the Chinese port operator Cosco, the port of Chancay will redraw the map of South American logistics. The terminal will save 10 days’ transport time for trade between Asia and South America, as ships must currently sail all the way to Brazil to unload. The port’s initial capacity will be 1 million containers a year – twice that of the French port of Le Havre – and this will eventually rise to 5 million, twice that of Rotterdam, Europe’s leading port.

Bad knees? Back pain?

Probably just being new to the world stage as Japan PM and no guidance from MOFA or his staff on standard international meeting protocols.

Doesn't look like those who approached him followed protocols also . this whole encounter could have been more pleasant for everyone if maybe ishiba was approached first by an aide that speaks Japanese well and later facilitated communication.

Anyway, from " the spectator"

The reason he has failed so often (this was his fifth tilt at the top job) is ascribed to his willingness to criticize his colleagues and go his own way. Described as a “plain spoken populist” by TIME magazine and ‘blunt” and “arrogant and condescending to his fellow lawmakers”

When the clown moved into the palace, the palace became the circus.

And no, he is well mannered for a Japanese ojiichan who barely speaks English, has no international experience. They won't stand for pregnant women, nevermind presidents of other countries. A woman is still a woman, in his mind she's not deserving more respect than that. He probably thought she was the waitress anyway.

When a lady comes to you and welcoming, you have got to stand tall and a little bowing with handshake.And this lady is the head of state of Peru, she is the hosting country of this G20 forum. This is common sense, sir !

I recall people on here continually attacking Mr Shinzo Abe when he was Prime Minister of Japan but he in fact knew some English, used it at international conferences with other countries' leaders etc and was well respected by both left and right leaning leaders and governments.

The man was a good diplomat and helped Japan's standing to be raised in the international community. His assassination was bad in many ways and there is nobody to fill the void he left in Japanese politics.

Arthritis in the knees or jet lag?