Should Obama Apologize to East Asia?

Published in Zaobao
(Singapore) on 30 November 2009
by Unknown (link to originallink to original)
Translated from by John Yu. Edited by .

Edited by Jessica Boesl

Kim Young-Jin, a Korean congressman who leads the Korean division of the Korean-Japanese Coalition of Christian Congress Members, introduced the issue. According to media reports, Kim declared the following on 27 November in New York:

As leader of the nation that launched the Pacific War (World War II), the emperor of Japan symbolizes pain and suffering for the people of East Asia. For the president of the United States, which upholds freedom and human rights, to perform such an act, is to rub salt in our wounds.

What was this act? It refers to Obama’s actions at noon on 14 November at the Japanese imperial palace, where he smiled and shook hands, and then deeply bowed, almost 90 degrees, to Emperor Akihito and the empress. In the United States, several internet commentators labeled his actions “treasonous,” while the Department of State holds that this was merely a gesture of respect.

Congressman Kim raised the issue again, 13 days later, pressing Obama to apologize to the people of East Asia, which would convey a more agreeable view of history. Kim’s statements expressed an attitude towards Emperor Akihito that is held by many Koreans. At the same time, it is possible that Obama’s bow may have been misinterpreted by right-wing Japanese politicians. After several days of restraint, Kim could tolerate the situation no longer and demanded a public apology from Obama.

While his feelings are understandable given the fact that Korea was the first and most prolonged victim of Japanese expansion during World War II, Kim’s demand for an apology is not entirely reasonable. Rather than coming from Obama, an apology should be issued by the Japanese imperial family and ruling class.

Moreover, Obama’s deep bow should not be construed as support for the position held by right-wing Japanese politicians regarding their nation’s history of aggression. The key word that advanced Obama to the White House was “change,” and one of the important changes he brought forth was learning to show respect for the cultures, customs, and feelings of other nations and races. Unexpectedly being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize has also driven the United States’ first African American president to show humility to other nations. His deep bow to the king of Saudi Arabia expressed his reverence for Arabic culture. Emperor Akihito symbolizes Japan’s culture and bowing is part of Japan’s normal social etiquette.

The Department of State’s explanation for the bow is that the president consults the head of the protocol office on proper etiquette before visiting other nations. Obviously, Obama’s bow was intended to respect both the host nation’s custom of bowing as well as the emperor, who represents Japanese culture.

On another note, the Japanese invasion of East Asia ended 64 years ago, in 1945. While we shouldn’t forget history, we also shouldn’t get stuck on past injustices. Instead, we should celebrate the fact that, after growing accustomed to a wild cowboy in the White House, the world can now look forward to an American president who respects other cultures and customs. In conclusion, Congressman Kim is making a mountain out of a molehill and his complaints are simply unreasonable.


这个话题来自韩日基督教议员联盟韩方会长,韩国议员金泳镇。

  据媒体报道,11月27日,金泳镇议员在纽约发表声明:“日本天皇是发动太平洋战争,让东亚各国饱受痛苦的象征,而秉承自由和人权理想的美国总统竟然做出了那种行动,等于是在东亚人民的伤口撒盐。”

  奥巴马对日本天皇做出什么行动呢?

  原来,11月14日中午,在日本皇宫与明仁天皇和皇后会面时,奥巴马微笑着与明仁天皇握手,并深深鞠躬,鞠躬幅度接近90度。一些美国网民将奥巴马的行为形容为“叛国”。美国国务院的解释是,此举属表示尊重的礼仪问题。

  13天后,韩泳镇议员重新提起这个话题,并“敦促奥巴马向东亚各国人民道歉,以树立正确的历史认识。”

  韩泳镇议员的声明,表现出部分韩国人对日本明仁天皇的态度。奥巴马向日本天皇鞠躬的行为,容易被日本右翼政客曲解。憋了十几天之后,韩泳镇议员终于忍无可忍,要求奥巴马向东亚人民公开道歉。

  韩泳镇议员的心情值得理解,毕竟,韩国是当年日本对外扩张时期的最先受害国和最久受害国,然而,要求奥巴马道歉的理由却是不充分的。

  即,奥巴马总统不应该向东亚人民公开道歉,真正应该向东亚人民道歉的,是日本皇室及其统治阶层。

  同时,奥巴马总统向日本明仁天皇深度鞠躬,也不能解读为奥巴马支持日本右翼政客看待日本侵略历史的立场。

  将奥巴马送上美国总统宝座的关键词是两个字:改变。

  奥巴马当上美国总统后,一个很重要的改变内容,就是开始学会尊重其他国家和其他民族的文化习俗和感情。奥巴马出乎意料获得诺贝尔和平奖后,更是驱使这位美国历史上首位黑人总统在外国人面前表现的更加“谦逊”。

  早前,奥巴马曾经向沙特国王深度鞠躬,即表现出奥巴马对阿拉伯文化的尊重。

  而日本天皇乃是日本文化的象征。日本人之间相互鞠躬,更是日本社会的普通礼仪。根据美国国务院的辩解,美国总统出访前,都会向礼宾司司长办公室征求建议。因此,奥巴马向日本天皇鞠躬的意图就很明显,一为入乡随俗,尊重日本社会相互鞠躬的习俗;二为对日本天皇表示尊敬之意,表现对日本文化的尊重。

  再说,日本侵略东亚各国的行为,已于1945年结束,到目前为止,已经过去了64年,尽管忘记历史不可取,可过于纠缠于过去的屈辱历史,也未尝可取。

  在世界各国习惯了美国总统无拘无束的牛仔作风以后,出现了一位尊重各国文化和习俗的奥巴马总统,实在是一个值得庆幸的事情。韩国议员金泳镇在奥巴马鞠躬这个礼仪细节问题上吹毛求疵,实在不合情理。
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