Japan loves Obama

[therewasatime]

It turns out many people in Japan are inspired in a somewhat surprising way.

In high school English classes in Tokyo they have this program where they play his speeches through a computer, as they also write stuff down in this Obama book or something. Their textbook is an obama book and CD set featuring his speeches. They mimick his speaking style and take grammar quizes on all of it.

The book isn't just a hit in high school either, it's a best seller all across Japan. The book has sold so well that they followed it up with a sequal, feating his his innaugral address. The first book is #1 on Japan's version of Amazon and the sequal is #2 based on book reservations alone.
The publisher of the books said that many people were moved by the books and even cried, giving the japenese people hope.

[Ωmega]

Wow. Its amazing to see that one man can give so many people hope. I think its a good thing, perhaps it'll pull everyone out of this super-paranoid 'OMG, SOMEONES GONNA BOMB US' phase.

[suzumi]

Yeah, the Obama craze is pretty...crazy. XD

If our Prime Minister had even half of his charisma, then we might actually support him. But alas! he does not. But I suppose that it is good that there is someone out there that can give us Japanese some hope. =P

[Rubedo, the Crystal Blood]

The reason Obama gives so much hope to so many people is because of (1) his character, which I must say has won me over and (2) because he's black. I mean, how long has America lived off of 40-50 year old White Chief Executives? It's a sign that other cultures are moving up on the scale.

I think it's funny. I read an article today. "Opinion of Obama is Subject to Change" and under that "Presidential Popularity Generally Improves Over Time". I laughed.

[therewasatime]

The reason Obama gives so much hope to so many people is because of (1) his character, which I must say has won me over and (2) because he's black. I mean, how long has America lived off of 40-50 year old White Chief Executives? It's a sign that other cultures are moving up on the scale.

I think it's funny. I read an article today. "Opinion of Obama is Subject to Change" and under that "Presidential Popularity Generally Improves Over Time". I laughed.

Lol. Also his aproval rating right now is arguably 80% so it's funny he/she wrote that...

[pandacommander]

ok that's a bit over the top but yeh well I'm pretty sure the majority of Aussies where rootin for Obama in the us election

[Datenshi]

The publisher of the books said that many people were moved by the books and even cried, giving the japenese people hope.

I think that's a little exaggerated. At least, nobody around me has been bursting into tears that I know of.

It's just the usual outbreak of the Japanese's inferiority complex to the West. I'm not surprised. Although it is annoying to see Democratic Party members nagging the Prime Minister for "Change" (i.e. a snap election) with every breath. For Godssakes, at least be creative enough to think of your own catchy phrase instead of stealing it from another country. Frankly I'm tired of the "the Americans had CHANGE, now it's our turn to say no to the current government" rhetoric used by politicians grubbing for power.

[Eris]

I think that's a little exaggerated. At least, nobody around me has been bursting into tears that I know of.

It's just the usual outbreak of the Japanese's inferiority complex to the West. I'm not surprised. Although it is annoying to see Democratic Party members nagging the Prime Minister for "Change" (i.e. a snap election) with every breath. For Godssakes, at least be creative enough to think of your own catchy phrase instead of stealing it from another country. Frankly I'm tired of the "the Americans had CHANGE, now it's our turn to say no to the current government" rhetoric used by politicians grubbing for power.

Actually, the Americans didn't invent getting elected with vague promises of change and rebuilding the country to it's former glory. The Nazis did the exact same thing (and they probably copied it too). Obama is the right type to pull it off too, very charismatic and messianic. He has to be careful though, for if he starts to believe himself what he inspires his followers to believe about him, the world is in deep guano.

[october breath]

Surprisingly many Japanese people are into American politics.
Enough to put a guy that looks or is Obama in Air Gear.

[wolfgirl90]

Umm...President Obama's popularity in Japan is a little bit more simple than that.

He is popular in Japan because he shares the name of a Japanese city there.


Obama (小浜市, Obama-shi) is in the Fukui Prefecture of Japan. When Barack Obama traveled to Japan as senator, an airport official looked at his visa and said that he from Obama (instead of Obama being his name).

When he was beginning to run for president, the mayor of Obama found out about him and his popularity in Japan skyrocketed.

[Leleiron]

I just hope that Obama can make a difference or else people will just use him as a scapegoat...

[Akihiko Yamamoto Hozagaki]

Umm...President Obama's popularity in Japan is a little bit more simple than that.

That's just one aspect. He's incredibly popular all over Japan.

I can understand. After coming after Bush, almost anyone can looks like a messiah. I'm just worried people's expectations for him are way too high. However, he's an incredible speaker and I like what he's doing so far. I can see why he's loved.

[suzumi]

Umm...President Obama's popularity in Japan is a little bit more simple than that.

He is popular in Japan because he shares the name of a Japanese city there.


Obama (小浜市, Obama-shi) is in the Fukui Prefecture of Japan. When Barack Obama traveled to Japan as senator, an airport official looked at his visa and said that he from Obama (instead of Obama being his name).

When he was beginning to run for president, the mayor of Obama found out about him and his popularity in Japan skyrocketed.

Like P-san said, that's just one aspect.

There was also a Japanese comedian who imitated Obama, and that also added fuel to the fire.

[Princely Dreaming Doll]

You can't just say Japan loves Obama.
A lot of countries love Obama.
I was amazed to see the people from Africa waving the American flag and not burning it. Waving it.
A lot of these countries that have burned America and hated America are becoming all excited and everything.

And we shouldn't expect change right away.
I do hope Obama is a good president.
The way his speeches work, they have the mannerism of Abraham Lincoln and the power of Martin Luther King Junior.

[therewasatime]

Umm...President Obama's popularity in Japan is a little bit more simple than that.

He is popular in Japan because he shares the name of a Japanese city there.


Obama (小浜市, Obama-shi) is in the Fukui Prefecture of Japan. When Barack Obama traveled to Japan as senator, an airport official looked at his visa and said that he from Obama (instead of Obama being his name).

When he was beginning to run for president, the mayor of Obama found out about him and his popularity in Japan skyrocketed.

No that can't be the only reason why. They wouldn't get emotional over his speeches just because there's a city with his name, lol.

[therewasatime]

ok that's a bit over the top but yeh well I'm pretty sure the majority of Aussies where rootin for Obama in the us election

Yep. "An Australian poll conducted in August 2008 found that over 75% of Australians want Obama to win the presidential election"

[Aizmov]

The Obama fans are in for a sad realization. Obama is going to be like all the revolutionary change leaders in history, i.e. a disaster waiting to happen!
The thing that bothers me the most, is the Obamania that's sweeping the globe!

[wolfgirl90]

That's just one aspect. He's incredibly popular all over Japan.

I can understand. After coming after Bush, almost anyone can looks like a messiah. I'm just worried people's expectations for him are way too high. However, he's an incredible speaker and I like what he's doing so far. I can see why he's loved.

I know. I just find it funny that he first became popular in Japan because of his name before anything else. Once he started running for president, he became extremely popular in Japan. Everyone wanted to know more about him (his speeches, his books, etc) and they made a bunch of cool stuff for him. They even made a hamburger named after him!

[Diocletian]

Japan also likes monkies that make change like Obama.

[Sanosuke23]

Surprisingly many Japanese people are into American politics.
Enough to put a guy that looks or is Obama in Air Gear.

For reference.

[Qoo]

For reference.

Don't forget Obama's reference in Yatterman!

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And Obama-kun (and Hilary-chan)...

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...Sharing a hint of love? ohdeargod

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[Zanmato]

ok that's a bit over the top but yeh well I'm pretty sure the majority of Aussies where rootin for Obama in the us election

I don't think the East Coast on Aussie really cared, we kinda got our own problems, like The heatwave in VIC, and the Floods up north QLD, although after watchin the news updates, i guess it was a pretty darn big feat of history....

[Manhattan_Project_2000]

Actually, the Americans didn't invent getting elected with vague promises of change and rebuilding the country to it's former glory. The Nazis did the exact same thing (and they probably copied it too). Obama is the right type to pull it off too, very charismatic and messianic. He has to be careful though, for if he starts to believe himself what he inspires his followers to believe about him, the world is in deep guano.

It's at least as old as Greece, which would make it about as old as democracy itself.

The Obama fans are in for a sad realization. Obama is going to be like all the revolutionary change leaders in history, i.e. a disaster waiting to happen!

I know, like that bastard George Washington, or that lying commie FDR. Either you're an idiot or you need to learn how to troll better.

[[U.S.N]Senkan_California]

Obama-Kun(小浜(オバマ)君) and Hillary-Chan（ヒラリちゃん）|O|