Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3804: Barack Obama, Shinzō Abe and The Pearl Harbor Memorial - Body Language and Emotional Intelligence (PHOTOS)

Shinzō Abe is the first Japanese Prime Minister to visit Pearl Harbor in the company of a sitting US President. In this image, the Prime Minister and President Obama are seen at the USS Arizona Memorial.

Note Barack Obama's body language:

• Head Bowed
• Feet Close together
• Hands in a Fig Leaf (aka "Genial Guarding")

While normally such a nonverbal cluster sends signals of acquiescence, submission and a beta emotional tones, during a ceremony at a war memorial it sends sincere signals of respect and reverence.Thus it is also normal contextual behavior for a head of state to use identical body language during weddings ceremonies, funerals and when receiving remains of the deceased. A president should also use these nonverbal signals when meeting a high-ranking religious figure (and thus send signals of deference as well as respect/reverence). Outside of these and similar scenarios, such body language would not be advisable for the leader of any country.

It's important to note that the two navy personnel are at attention, and thus their nonverbal behavior is practiced protocol.

Prime Minister Abe's right hand can be seen in relatively tight fist (his left hand obscured by his jacket blowing in the wind), which, based on his other nonverbal signals, projects significant anxiety.


See also:

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3803: A Common Gesture of Donald Trump's - Variation on Alpha-Beta Hybrids

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3801: Marion Cotillard, Lip Syncing and Honest Anxiety

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3799: Carrie Fisher and Princess Leia - Full Lips and Lip Pursing

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3794: Racist Rant at Jefferson Mall in Louisville

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3772: Mitt Romney Meets with Donald Trump

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3730: The 3rd Presidential Debate - Donald Trump v. Hillary Clinton - Part II - Donald Trump won't commit to accepting election results

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3700: George Clooney comments regarding the News of Brad Pitt's and Angelina Jolie's Divorce

Nonverbal Communication Analysis No. 3683: Milo Yiannopoulos believes trolling is his way of "Doing God's work"


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