Bending the right way is part of an important social ethics in Japan. President Barack Obama looks awkward when he tried to shake hands with the Emperor Akihito at the same time bowing.
Some of the media that the United States with a vigorous anti-Obama criticism by saying the president violated the protocol or even less worship.
According to professor of Asian studies at Temple University in Tokyo, Jeff Kingston, Japan itself has nothing to be offended by Obama's action. Japanese media even reported this case as an aspect of American life that are difficult to understand. How bent back into the news when the Toyota automotive company apologized for the withdrawal of car.
The information to the media last February 5, Toyota president Akio Toyoda apologized to bend a bit like as if the Japanese had accidentally met a neighbor in front of the house. Whereas in the previous two weeks he did not appear at all when the company faced a lot of complaints about the brakes and gas pedal, making the company's stock fell 20%.
Obviously that means bending Toyoda did not meet the expectations of society. Media Japan Japanese media are usually polite, bluntly said Toyoda was the attitude of late and inadequate. In Japan, the deeper the bow and the longer he bowed as if he meant showing respect or remorse. With just a little bow and a second, the attitude shown are as a person who becomes angry at your boss.
While hunched his shoulders and went straight gesture such as a new child being scolded. While the attitude many times bowed down to the waist with an apology occur under extreme circumstances such as a car mechanic that damage consumers but still require payment besar.Tetapi general bowing in Japan is the repeated gestures performed unconsciously even in interactions with all people.
Culture Zen When appearing for the second time in front of the media on February 9, Akio Toyoda bowed deeper and more solemn. But in a press conference, Toyoda faces look very bleak, but the meeting was intended to quell criticism of his company. He seemed uncomfortable with the questions critical to the performance of his car. Toyoda to Toyota's supreme leader because her grandfather was the founder of the company.
He was a shy and do not like public appearances such as Apple CEO, Steve Jobs. In addition, he comes from Zen culture that emphasizes silence and stoic, are more concerned with action than words. With a calm demeanor and serious he wants to show its determination to restore the family honor and restore consumer confidence. Then at the end of the press conference, he bowed in a show of remorse and sincerity.
