US President greets Japanese emperor with a handshake and nod – but no bow
TOKYO: US President Donald Trump greeted Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko yesterday with a genteel handshake and nod, but no bow, avoiding the pitfall of US President Barack Obama who was criticised at home for his deep bow to the monarch.
Trump, wearing a suit and tie and his wife, Melania, in a long, dark blue dress, were met at the palace entrance by the royal couple, who were both wearing suits. Trump smiled, shook hands and nodded at the 83-year-old emperor before greeting Michiko as well. The four entered the palace where they chatted through interpreters in footage aired live on television, but without sound as is customary.
After the meeting, Trump shook hands again, and tapped the emperor’s arm repeatedly with his left hand. “Thank you for the great meeting”, he told Akihito. “I’m sure we will meet again”.
Obama came under fire after meeting the emperor in Tokyo in 2009 for what his critics back home said was bowing too low to Akihito. Some US commentators said the US president should not lower his head before foreign monarchs.
Akihito has spent much of his reign working to heal the wounds of World War II, which was waged across Asia in his father’s name, Emperor Hirohito.
Obama also faced criticism from a different quarter – etiquette experts – who noted he combined a bow with an handshake, which is not done in Japan traditionally, whether meeting the emperor or anyone else. Japanese guests are not supposed to touch the royal couple or shake hands, but foreign guests often do. — Reuters