Seems quite proper to me, since the symbolism is all its about. Bow to express respect for the traditions of the Japanese people as regards the Emperor, shake hands to assert the American tradition of equality. Why not?
The leaders of other nations must avert their gaze, lest it fall haphazardly on POTUS(PBUH). Anything less is a sign of disrespect. Obama failed to tell China to go get its fuckin’ shine box, and therefore exposed his vulnerability. They’ve already launched a first strike, phase one of which is to inundate the nation with detonation devices modeled after cheaply manufactured, cheaply priced toys and electronics. Obama is simply what the Chinese would call a “tea-smoked duck,” or “[box character][box character][box character][box character][box character][box character][box character]” according to the Aborigines of Manitoba.
According to my Japan residing eldest son the bow was only noted to make fun of the American media making an issue of it. How odd Americans are that they object to trying to be polite and focus on that instead of things like troop levels in bases in our country.
As to what was accomplished - today China and Russia both went along with the US in condemning Iran for their ongoing nuclear program. “China and Russia have refused to support strong measures against Iran previously, now both counties appear to agree” … hmmm. Ya think maybe just maybe an American President having shown that he wants to work with them and not try to make them lick his boots has made the leadership of these other countries a bit more likely to work with him on issues like Iran?
I think maybe so. A direct accomplishment of this trip? Maybe not. But a real consequence of the tone that this trip and his administration has set. That yes. Iran has been even more egregious before and China and Russia protected them when Bush asked them for support.