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US President Barack Obama (L) bows as he shakes hands with Japanese ...

(AFP/File) — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:55:29 GMT

(AFP/File) - US President Barack Obama (L) bows as he shakes hands with Japanese Emperor Akihito (C) and as Empress Michiko (R) looks on upon Obama's arrival at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on November 14. The former top commander of US troops in Asia on Thursday strongly defended Obama against critics of his bow to Emperor Akihito, calling it a gesture of respect.(AFP/File/Mandel Ngan)

US President Barack Obama(L) bows as he shakes hands with Japanese ...

(AFP) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 15:35:06 GMT

(AFP) - US President Barack Obama(L) bows as he shakes hands with Japanese Emperor Akihito(C) and as Empress Michiko looks at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo on November 14.(AFP/Mandel Ngan)

FILE - In this April 1, 2009, file photo US President Barack ...

(AP) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:33:15 GMT

(AP) - FILE - In this April 1, 2009, file photo US President Barack Obama, center, back to camera, greets King Abdullah of Saudi Arabia, center, before the official G20 leaders group photo at London's Buckingham Palace. Obama's awkward greeting with Japanese Emperor Akihito on Nov. 14, 2009 - a bow mixed with handshake - is not the first time the president, a Democrat in office less than a year, has been criticized for his greeting of a foreign leader: critics accused him of genuflecting to Abdullah at the G-20 summit. (AP Photo/John Stillwell, Pool, File)

FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2009, photo U.S. President Barack Obama ...

(AP) — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 07:29:47 GMT

(AP) - FILE - In this Nov. 14, 2009, photo U.S. President Barack Obama bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, not pictured, upon arrival at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. Obama's awkward encounter with Akihito - bows are not meant to accompany physical contact - is not even the first time the president, a Democrat in office less than a year, has been criticized for his greeting of a foreign leader: Critics accused him of genuflecting to Saudi King Abdullah at a G-20 summit earlier this year. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak, File)

U.S. President Barack Obama is seen in silhouette as he walks ...

(AP) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 12:37:32 GMT

(AP) - U.S. President Barack Obama is seen in silhouette as he walks with Japanese Emperor Akihito as he arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, bows as he is greeted by ...

(AP) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 04:19:16 GMT

(AP) - U.S. President Barack Obama, left, bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko, not pictured, as he arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, bows as he is greeted by ...

(AP) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:59:46 GMT

U.S. President Barack Obama bows as he is greeted by Japanese ...

(AP) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:59:36 GMT

(AP) - U.S. President Barack Obama bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko as he arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Emperor Akihito upon ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:31:14 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Emperor Akihito upon arriving at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo November 14, 2009. REUTERS/Jim Young (JAPAN POLITICS ROYALS IMAGES OF THE DAY)

U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Emperor Akihito upon ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:29:03 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Emperor Akihito upon arriving at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo November 14, 2009. REUTERS/Jim Young (JAPAN POLITICS ROYALS)

U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Emperor Akihito and ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:26:55 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko upon arriving at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo November 14, 2009. REUTERS/Jim Young (JAPAN POLITICS ROYALS)

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, is greeted by Japanese Emperor ...

(AP) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:25:31 GMT

(AP) - U.S. President Barack Obama, left, is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito, center, and Empress Michiko as he arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, is greeted by Japanese Emperor ...

(AP) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:23:21 GMT

U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Japan's Emperor ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:18:15 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko upon arriving at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo November 14, 2009. REUTERS/Jim Young (JAPAN POLITICS ROYALS)

U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Japan's Emperor ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:17:11 GMT

U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Emperor Akihito and ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:17:06 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko upon arriving at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo November 14, 2009. REUTERS/Jim Young (JAPAN POLITICS ROYALS)

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, is greeted by Japanese Emperor ...

(AP) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:16:34 GMT

(AP) - U.S. President Barack Obama, left, is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko as he arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

U.S. President Barack Obama, left, bows as he is greeted by ...

(AP) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:16:20 GMT

(AP) - U.S. President Barack Obama, left, bows as he is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko as he arrives at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Saturday, Nov. 14, 2009. Obama is on a two-day visit in Japan since Friday. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito ...

(Reuters) — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 03:13:56 GMT

(Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama is greeted by Japanese Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko upon arrival at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo November 14, 2009. REUTERS/Jim Young (JAPAN POLITICS IMAGES OF THE DAY ROYALS)

Well-wishers wave national flags and paper lanterns as Emperor ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 14:11:59 GMT

(AP) - Well-wishers wave national flags and paper lanterns as Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko make a public appearance during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne in front of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Franck Robichon, Pool)

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko make a public appearance ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:24:07 GMT

(AP) - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko make a public appearance on a bridge of the Imperial Palace during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne in front of the palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Franck Robichon, Pool)

Well-wishers wave national flags as Emperor Akihito and Empress ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:22:13 GMT

(AP) - Well-wishers wave national flags as Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko make a public appearance during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne in front of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Franck Robichon, Pool)

Well-wishers wave national flags as Emperor Akihito and Empress ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:21:26 GMT

Well-wishers wave national flags as Emperor Akihito and Empress ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:20:28 GMT

Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko watch a performance ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:13:07 GMT

(AP) - Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko watch a performance from a bridge during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Yuriko Nakao, Pool)

Emperor Akihito, right, and Empress Michiko stand in the light ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:11:49 GMT

(AP) - Emperor Akihito, right, and Empress Michiko stand in the light as they acknowledge to the well-wishers during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa, Pool)

Japanese well-wishers hold paper lanterns as Emperor Akihito ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:09:35 GMT

(AP) - Japanese well-wishers hold paper lanterns as Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko make a public appearance during a special event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Akihito's coronation to the world's oldest throne Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Japanese Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko wave paper ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:09:16 GMT

(AP) - Japanese Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko wave paper lanterns as they acknowledge well-wishers during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa, Pool)

Japanese Emperor Akihito, right, and Empress Michiko wave paper ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:08:44 GMT

(AP) - Japanese Emperor Akihito, right, and Empress Michiko wave paper lanterns as they acknowledge well-wishers during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa, Pool)

Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko wave paper lanterns ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:08:16 GMT

(AP) - Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko wave paper lanterns as they acknowledge to the well-wishers during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, Pool)

Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, right, fomer Prime Ministers, ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:07:25 GMT

(AP) - Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, right, fomer Prime Ministers, Yasuo Fukuda, left, and Shinzo Abe, second from right, shout 'Long live the emperor' as Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko make a public appearance for well-wishers during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, Pool)

Japanese well-wishers hold paper lanterns while watching Emperor ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:06:54 GMT

(AP) - Japanese well-wishers hold paper lanterns while watching Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on a screen outside the Imperial Palace grounds in Tokyo, Japan, as the couple make a public appearance during a special event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Akihito's coronation to the world's oldest throne Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Emperor Akihito, center, accompanied by Empress Michiko, right, ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:05:36 GMT

(AP) - Emperor Akihito, center, accompanied by Empress Michiko, right, acknowledges as attendants shout 'Long live the emperor,' led by Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama, left, during a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation at the National Theatre in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa, Pool)

Japanese well-wishers hold paper lanterns as Emperor Akihito ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 13:00:00 GMT

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (R) attend an event to celebrate ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:59:06 GMT

(Reuters) - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (R) attend an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Emperor's ascension to the throne in Tokyo November 12, 2009. Japanese Emperor Akihito, whose efforts to soothe Asia's bitter wartime memories have been central to his 20 years on the throne, said his biggest worry is that future generations in his country will forget the past. REUTERS/Shizuo Kambayashi/Pool (JAPAN ROYALS ANNIVERSARY)QUALITY FROM SOURCE

Japanese well-wishers hold paper lanterns and watch Emperor ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:58:16 GMT

(AP) - Japanese well-wishers hold paper lanterns and watch Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko on a screen outside the Imperial Palace grounds in Tokyo, Japan, as the couple make a public appearance during a special event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Akihito's coronation to the world's oldest throne Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

People attend an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:57:59 GMT

(Reuters) - People attend an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Emperor's ascension to the throne in Tokyo November 12, 2009. Japanese Emperor Akihito, whose efforts to soothe Asia's bitter wartime memories have been central to his 20 years on the throne, said his biggest worry is that future generations in his country will forget the past. REUTERS/Franck Robichon/Pool (JAPAN ANNIVERSARY)

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (R) attend an event to celebrate ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:56:55 GMT

Emperor Akihito, leftr, and Empress Michiko applaud as they ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:55:43 GMT

(AP) - Emperor Akihito, leftr, and Empress Michiko applaud as they attend a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation at the National Theatre in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa, Pool)

People attend an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:54:39 GMT

Japanese well-wishers wave national flags and lanterns in front ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:54:26 GMT

(AP) - Japanese well-wishers wave national flags and lanterns in front of the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, as Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko make a public appearance during a special event celebrating the 20th anniversary of Akihito's coronation to the world's oldest throne Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Shuji Kajiyama)

Emperor Akihito, center, and Empress Michiko, right, wave to ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:52:21 GMT

(AP) - Emperor Akihito, center, and Empress Michiko, right, wave to the audience before leaving a ceremony to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation at the National Theatre in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. At left is Prime minister Yukio Hatoyama. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa, Pool)

People attend an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:52:20 GMT

Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko stand on a bridge ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:50:26 GMT

(AP) - Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko stand on a bridge of the Imperial Palace as they make a public appearance during a special event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Akihito's coronation in front of the palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Shizuo Kambayashi, Pool)

Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko stand on a bridge on ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:45:37 GMT

(Reuters) - Emperor Akihito (L) and Empress Michiko stand on a bridge on the Palace grounds during an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Emperor's ascension to the throne in Tokyo November 12, 2009. Japanese Emperor Akihito, whose efforts to soothe Asia's bitter wartime memories have been central to his 20 years on the throne, said his biggest worry is that future generations in his country will forget the past. REUTERS/Franck Robichon/Pool (JAPAN ROYALS ANNIVERSARY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Japan's pop group EXILE performs before Japan's Emperor ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:40:02 GMT

(Reuters) - Japan's pop group EXILE performs before Japan's Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko during an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Emperor's ascension to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo November 12, 2009. REUTERS/Yuriko Nakao (JAPAN ANNIVERSARY ENTERTAINMENT)

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (L) attend an event to celebrate ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:37:48 GMT

(Reuters) - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (L) attend an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Emperor's ascension to the throne in Tokyo November 12, 2009. Japanese Emperor Akihito, whose efforts to soothe Asia's bitter wartime memories have been central to his 20 years on the throne, said his biggest worry is that future generations in his country will forget the past. REUTERS/Junji Kurokawa/Pool (JAPAN ROYALS ANNIVERSARY)

Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (R) attend an event to celebrate ...

(Reuters) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:33:11 GMT

(Reuters) - Emperor Akihito and Empress Michiko (R) attend an event to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Emperor's ascension to the throne in Tokyo November 12, 2009. Japanese Emperor Akihito, whose efforts to soothe Asia's bitter wartime memories have been central to his 20 years on the throne, said his biggest worry is that future generations in his country will forget the past. REUTERS/Junji Kurokawa/Pool (JAPAN ROYALS ANNIVERSARY IMAGES OF THE DAY)

Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko wave paper lanterns ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:15:45 GMT

(AP) - Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko wave paper lanterns as they acknowledge to well-wishers during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Yuriko Nakao, Pool)

Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko smile at well-wishers ...

(AP) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 12:12:14 GMT

(AP) - Emperor Akihito, left, and Empress Michiko smile at well-wishers as they make a public appearance during a special event to mark the 20th anniversary of the monarch's coronation to the throne at the Imperial Palace in Tokyo, Japan, Thursday, Nov. 12, 2009. (AP Photo/Junji Kurokawa, Pool)