Donald Trump is under fire for potentially breaking protocol during his meeting with Japan’s new Prime Minister, Sanae Takaichi. Critics point to a video where he walks past the US and Japanese flags without bowing.
Donald Trump is facing criticism after a video surfaced from his recent visit to Japan, in which he appeared to break diplomatic protocol during his meeting with Sanae Takaichi, Japan’s newly elected Prime Minister.
Trump, who is currently on an Asia diplomatic tour, met with Takaichi at the Akasaka State Guesthouse in Tokyo. The visit, which included meeting with US troops aboard an aircraft carrier and signing a trade agreement, had a particularly controversial moment when he walked past both the US and Japanese flags during a ceremonial event without bowing.
The Ceremony and the Controversial Moment
The video footage shows Trump walking alongside Takaichi, while soldiers and musicians stood at attention. As they moved around the room to appreciate the spectacle, Trump passed both flags without pausing to acknowledge them. This action was noticed by many as it deviated from the expected diplomatic behavior, which includes bowing in front of the host country’s flag as a sign of respect.
Jeffrey J. Hall, Assistant Professor at Waseda University in Tokyo, pointed out the oversight on X (formerly Twitter), sharing the video and noting that Prime Minister Takaichi appeared confused when Trump continued walking without stopping to acknowledge the flags. Takaichi then followed the correct protocol by bowing in front of the flags, highlighting the discrepancy in Trump’s actions.
Jeffrey J. Hall commented:
“It looks like President Trump didn’t realize he was supposed to stop in front of the US and Japanese flags. Prime Minister Takaichi seemed confused that Trump kept walking, and then followed proper protocol and bowed in front of the flags.”
It looks like President Trump didn’t realize he was supposed to stop in front of the US and Japanese flags. Prime Minister Takaichi seemed confused that Trump kept walking, and then followed proper protocol and bowed in front of the flags.pic.twitter.com/ZRNIgqDy2D
— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) October 28, 2025
Social Media Reaction and Criticism
Trump’s actions quickly sparked mockery and criticism across social media platforms. Many users expressed disbelief over the apparent gaffe, with some suggesting that Trump seemed “lost” during the ceremony.
One user wrote:
“Trump violated protocol during his meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Takaichi. He didn’t stop by the flags, saluted the Japanese soldiers, and walked ahead without waiting for her.”
Another social media commenter added:
“He’s walking and breathing at the same time—I wouldn’t expect a whole lot more out of him.”
Some went further, calling the situation an embarrassment for the country. One user stated:
“They should have put a leash on him like a puppy dog. He is incapable of understanding any protocol. Such an embarrassment for our country.”
Diplomatic Protocol and Its Importance
The incident has brought renewed attention to diplomatic protocol, particularly the tradition of bowing in front of the flags as a sign of mutual respect. While cultural differences may play a role, the optics of such a blunder have led to widespread derision.
Critics have also pointed out that Trump’s disregard for such formalities reflects a larger pattern of behavior where he prioritizes personal actions over established diplomatic norms. As a former president, such protocol breaches have raised questions about his readiness for global leadership roles.
The White House Responds
As of now, UNILAD has reached out to the White House for a comment on the situation, but no official response has been issued. The incident remains a topic of conversation, particularly on social media, where Trump’s approach to diplomacy continues to be debated.
