He did it during his so-called Mid-East Apology Tour, the tour he took when he first came into office. Several pictures were taken of him bowing to the Saudi King. He and his spin doctors tried to deny it, but the pictures and video made it too obvious what he was doing.

Many saw it as him placing himself, and thus the Entire U.S., below that of the Saudi King. A position many think ill suited for the President.


This time, it was an echo of that. Many don't understand that bowing is a part of the Japanese culture and is a sign of respect. Others understand, and also understand that the depth of the bow correlates to depth of respect. Those see this bow as maybe a tad more to the subservient side instead of to the depth expected of equals.

EDIT: That last paragraph makes sense in my head even if it doesn't in others.