I can't believe they even made an issue out of it. So negative and aggressive. I think they need to get out of their little bubble and explore different cultures, perhaps that will help make them more understanding, tolerant and peaceful . Cultural respect and compromise is what the world needs. I agree with Takae ‘since when is the US the world?’ Very disappointed with these attitudes.

The comment made by Andrew Malcolm is very ignorant. Narrow minded people are very dangerous with words. America has an open minded President, who is open to other cultures and respects them. That should be something to be proud of and not moan or complain about. I cannot to believe that his show of respect towards Japan's Emperor has made such headlines. As a South African I'm shocked to see you still have people who live in such close minded bubbles.

No it is not wrong look where he is, in Japan where in Japan you bow to High ranking leaders that is what he is doing because in that country that is there culture. When traveling to another country you are supposed to follow there culture not your own. If Japans High ranking officials were in the US they would either bow to him bc thats theres along with a hand shake or a solute which is how its done here. OBAMA is a peace maker let him make peace what is the need for violence.

World embarrassed? Since when the U.S. is the world? :P It's only the U.S. that seems embarrassed. A bow with a handshake is not wrong. You shake hands and bow if you like. Some do and some don't.