Japanese politician Takai made headlines recently when he respectfully bowed to the Taegukgi, the Korean national flag, during a visit to South Korea, a gesture that has drawn attention and sparked much discussion in Korea. This act of diplomacy is seen as an attempt to build a stronger relationship between the two neighboring nations.
In Japan, this act is viewed with intrigue and complexity due to the complicated history between Japan and Korea. The greeting to the Taegukgi is a sign of respect to the Korean people and a potential step towards improving the strained relations. However, some conservative circles in Japan might see it as controversial.
In the US or EU, such diplomatic gestures between leaders are often seen as a way to strengthen foreign relations. However, reactions can be mixed depending on the political climate and the historical relations between the nations involved.