Meaning Bending in Japan

Meaning Bending in Japan

How bowed the right is part of an important social ethics in Japan. President Barack Obama looks awkward when he tried to shake hands with Emperor Akihito at the same time bowing.

Some U.S. media with vigorous anti-Obama, saying the president criticized violate protocol or too worship.

According to professor of Asian Studies at Temple University in Tokyo, Jeff Kingston, in Japan alone no one offended by Obama's actions. Japanese media even preach this case as an aspect of American life that are difficult to understand.

How leaned back in the news when the Toyota automotive company apologized for the withdrawal of car-mobilnya.Dalam statement to the media last February 5, Toyota president Akio Toyoda apologized to bend over a little as if the Japanese neighbor accidentally meet in front of the house.

Whereas in the previous two weeks he did not appear at all when the company faced many complaints about the brake and gas pedal so as to make the company's stock fell 20%. It is clear that the way Toyoda bowed not meet people's expectations.

Japanese Media

Japanese media are usually polite, bluntly said Toyoda attitude was late and inadequate. In Japan, the deeper the more he bent down and bowed as if he meant showing respect or remorse.

With just a little bent, and second, the attitude shown is like a person who becomes angry at your boss. While hunched his shoulders and went straight gesture like a child who scolded.

While attitudes repeatedly bowed down to the waist with an apology occurs in extreme circumstances such as a car mechanic damaging consumers but is still charging large. But general bowing in Japan is a sign of the body repeatedly done even without realizing the interaction with everyone .

Zen Culture

When the show for the second time in front of the media on February 9, Akio Toyoda bowed deeper and more solemn. But in a news conference, Toyoda faces look very bleak, but the meeting was intended to dampen criticism of the company. He looked uncomfortable facing critical questions on the performance of the car.

Toyoda became Toyota's top leaders because his grandfather was the founder of the company. He was a shy and does not like to appear in public, such as Apple's CEO, Steve Jobs.

In addition, he comes from Zen culture that emphasizes silence and stoic, which is more concerned with action than words. With a calm and serious demeanor he wants to show its determination to restore his family's honor and restore consumer confidence. Then at the end of the press conference, he bowed in a way that shows remorse and sincerity.