politics

Michelle Obama to make first official visit to Japan in March

30 Comments

Japan will host U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama in mid-March, Japanese media reported Monday. It will be Obama's first official visit to Japan.

Obama, who is expected to be accompanied by her two daughters, Malia and Sasha, will arrive in Japan on March 18, TBS reported. During her stay, Obama will take part in a symposium on improving education for women in the developing world. She will also visit Kyoto, before heading to Cambodia.

U.S. President Barack Obama visited Japan last April, but his wife was not able to accompany him, much to the dismay of Japanese media. Prior to that trip, Michelle Obama and her two daughters had visited China for a week.

© Japan Today

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

30 Comments
Login to comment

@Serrano

That's just silly. Hillary Clinton is referred to as 'Clinton' and Angelina Jolie is referred to as 'Jolie' - what's the problem?

It's one thing to be rude and/or ignorant but I don't think you should flaunt it in public...

1 ( +1 / -0 )

Trans-Pacific Partnership.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@YubaruFEB. 17, 2015 - 07:50AM JST I wonder if Mrs. Abe is going to be her tour guide?

I blieve she will be better guide and speaker than Govt officials or professiona; guides/ After all, she was used to talk around as radio announcer in Shimonoseki/ But I hope she does not recommend Puff Fish delicassen to Michell. Just Tokyo food.

2 ( +2 / -0 )

Kyoto is beautiful in spring (and fall, too, to avoid a fight). I hope Mrs. Obama and her daughters have a great time.

3 ( +3 / -0 )

I wonder if Mrs. Abe is going to be her tour guide?

Highly likely. Shinzo for Barack, Akie for Michelle.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

Official visit? Last time I checked the wife of the US president doesn't hold an "official" position and is not actually part of the US government in any capacity to make the claim of official visit. But then what do we expect from elitists.

-7 ( +1 / -8 )

Her hair is so beautiful and looks so naturally.

Have a nice stay in Japan.

0 ( +2 / -2 )

'U.S. President Barack Obama visited Japan last April, but his wife was not able to accompany him,'

Of course she was able to accompany him, she just chose not to.

sillygirl said 'Why not refer to her as Mrs. Obama or First Lady? Obama seems rather unrefined.'

That's just silly. Hillary Clinton is referred to as 'Clinton' and Angelina Jolie is referred to as 'Jolie' - what's the problem?

-6 ( +1 / -7 )

Sasha and Malia will be the superstars.

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

Indeed a perfect platform and opportunity to shine for both First Lady's , equally photogenic Akie Abe and Michelle Obama, daughters, Malia and Sasha present a positive modern image of women in their perspective societies.

2 ( +3 / -1 )

what a waste of US taxpayer dollars. She can skip Japan and visit China again.

-5 ( +4 / -9 )

I am so proud to have such a fine woman represent us all as First Lady, whatever they choose to call her !

0 ( +4 / -4 )

Referring to ber as Obama is extremely strange, considering that's how we refer to the president himself.

2 ( +4 / -2 )

Since they visited China, they have to also visit Japan to counterbalance, so Japan doesn't feel slighted

0 ( +0 / -0 )

I hope Mrs. Obama and Mrs. Abe can get a little private time together cause I know they'd hit it off. Both free thinking, free speaking women and they'd raise some hell in the establishment. Both of these women probably need a break from their husbands' inane speeches!

5 ( +5 / -0 )

Does this have any political significance at all? I am wondering if the trip is just a personal trip and if so are they going to stop traffic for that?? In case of a personal trip please do consider the burden you will cause by stopping traffic, expenditure and etc...

-5 ( +3 / -8 )

I'l say one thing! Them folk sure enough spend a Heap of TaxPayers $$$$ Maybe the kids could make a stopover in Syria!

-13 ( +5 / -18 )

why didn't she come with her husband in the first place. most first ladies travel with their husbands.

-3 ( +3 / -6 )

Why not refer to her as Mrs. Obama or First Lady? Obama seems rather unrefined.

Maybe she will wear a scarf in deference to the local custom - no wait, that was what she was supposed to do in the other country. Oh well, hope she takes her shoes off before walking into the Imperial Palace.

0 ( +1 / -1 )

Hopefully she won't lecture anybody about their school lunches...

2 ( +7 / -5 )

"Obama spending more of my tax paying dollars she's the biggest freeloader along with her husband."

I'm sure other First Ladies have traveled overseas, but of course it's a case of hatred by association because of who her husband is.

8 ( +13 / -5 )

Sure, take advantage while you can. A free trip to Japan on AF2 luxury....a dream trip for teenagers.

1 ( +5 / -4 )

For all those wondering why the First Lady is referred simply by her surname on subsequent references:

I'm guessing it's because Japan Today (probably) follows the Associated Press Stylebook, which does not require courtesy titles before surnames. Many English-language news media outlets adhere to AP Style, though others (including the New York Times) follow other style guides.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AP_Stylebook

3 ( +7 / -4 )

Obama spending more of my tax paying dollars she's the biggest freeloader along with her husband.

-16 ( +7 / -23 )

Obama seems rather unrefined

Maybe so, but her manners have gotten better over the past few years.

0 ( +8 / -8 )

Mrs. Obama is not in the military and is not a man, please refer to her as Mrs. Obama or Michelle Obama or the First Lady of the US. Thank you. I agree with sillygirl and FightingViking.

7 ( +10 / -3 )

@sillygirl

Why not refer to her as Mrs. Obama or First Lady? Obama seems rather unrefined

I agree, I was just about to make the same remark.

5 ( +9 / -4 )

A spring break for her daughters?

-1 ( +2 / -3 )

I wonder if Mrs. Abe is going to be her tour guide?

4 ( +4 / -0 )

Why not refer to her as Mrs. Obama or First Lady? Obama seems rather unrefined.

5 ( +11 / -6 )

Login to leave a comment

Facebook users

Use your Facebook account to login or register with JapanToday. By doing so, you will also receive an email inviting you to receive our news alerts.

Facebook Connect

Login with your JapanToday account

User registration

Articles, Offers & Useful Resources

A mix of what's trending on our other sites