After a photo session in which ceremonial pictures were taken, world leaders began to chat, centering on U.S. President Barack Obama and others. Only Prime Minister Naoto Kan was unable to join in, standing beside the other leaders alone and smiling.
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Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer Aya Igarashi, describing how awkward Prime Minister Naoto Kan looked at the G-8 summit in Toronto. (Daily Yomiuri)
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tmarie
Are we supposed to feel sorry for him? I don't. At his age he would have had to study English in school, should have known he may need it while in politics (more so hoping for the position of PM) and should be ashamed of himself for not at least trying to chat. English is language used for business and politics. For a country who wants to be taken seriously they fail at some many levels when it comes to playing in the international field.
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hoserfella
tmarie - excellent post. Come to think of it, when was the last time Japan had a PM that could have a normal, adult conversation? (dont get me started on Mr."thank you for Elvis" Koizumi..
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Speed
It may not have been an English issue as much as it was about being more assertive and pro-active in engaging others. Perhaps he should have stepped up and initiated a conversation with somebody standing nearby. This is something many Japanese are poor at and it showed here.
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AlfGarnett
The photo don`t come up on my computer so how can i comment on it?
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limboinjapan
hoserfella; "Come to think of it, when was the last time Japan had a PM that could have a normal, adult conversation?"
If you are referring to and English conversation I think that would be June 8th 2010, seeing Hatoyama was as I understand it quite fluent in English and a Stanford grad.
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kyoken
"Premier of the month" ... who should care on the international arena about someone that is likely to be replaced next month?
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telecasterplayer
How come none of the others knew an Asian language? Why is "whitey" the only language to speak? Why weren't translators allowed in the interim between photos? Japan holds a lot of U.S. currency and the western nations have a lot of trade with Japan.. couldn't one of THEM had said "O genki desu ka?"???
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tmarie
Asian languages are used all over the world for business and politics. Nor are they high in demand for many other sectors like tourism and travel. Hatoyama did indeed speak English but he's the only one I know of. Get a mitt, get in the game and start playing Japan.
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