No foreign leader should bow to Japan's flag

During welcoming ceremonies for visiting foreign leaders, Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi repeatedly gestures for them to bow to the Japanese flag. When some leaders follow her cue, she appears to flash a satisfied smile. Others, however, have chosen not to follow her lead, resulting in some awkward moments.

·Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, former British prime minister Keir Starmer, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney, French President Emmanuel Macron, and German Chancellor Friedrich Merz have all bowed to the Japanese flag.

·US President Donald Trump simply walked past without responding to Takaichi's gesture, seemingly leaving her caught off guard. Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto and Bangladeshi Prime Minister Tarique Rahman opted for other forms of greeting.

This has become something of a signature move for Takaichi. But why does she keep doing it?

·Some commentators see it as political theater aimed at Japan's right-wing voters. For some right-wing nationalists, the flag symbolizes a version of Japan's past that celebrates national pride while downplaying wartime aggression and responsibility.

·By prompting foreign leaders to bow, Takaichi turns a diplomatic greeting into a politically charged gesture, potentially presenting it as an endorsement of her nationalist vision.

Bowing to the Japanese flag may be a Japanese custom, but foreign leaders should not be expected to observe it. What kind of national dignity depends on maneuvering foreign guests into a bow?