A town called Obama

Thousands of Pacific miles might separate residents of an isolated fishing town on Japan's snowy west coast from the buzz of the US election campaign but that hasn't prevented them from taking an avid interest in the fortunes of one candidate - the young Illinois senator with whom the ancient community shares its name.

Obama, Japan has been thoroughly infected by the mania surrounding its accidental namesake and is mounting an astonishing display of support for the man who hopes to become America's first black president.

The main hotel is splattered with posters hailing Obama, while his image will grace headbands and T-shirts currently in production. Sweet bean "manju" cakes bearing Obama’s portrait are being prepared by local confectioners, and the town of 32,000 has even held special primary night parties to celebrate his victories.

Mayor Toshio Murakami plans to send the candidate a good luck "daruma" doll in the lacquerware for which the town is famous nationally, with the word "victory" emblazoned across its chest in Japanese calligraphy.

Murakami sent a gift - a set of lacquer chopsticks - to Obama last year but is not sure whether it arrived as he used an address he found on the internet.

"I will present you the chopsticks of Wakasa paint and I am glad if you use it habitually," Mr Murakami said in the letter, written in English. "I wish you the best of health and success."

He pointed out that Obama's birthday, August 4, happens to be "Chopsticks Day" in the city.

"At first we were more low-key as Hillary Clinton looked to be ahead, but now we see he is getting more popular," Murakami said.

"I give him an 80 per cent chance of becoming president," the 75-year-old said, beaming with pride.

But policy doesn’t seem to be a major concern for the candidate's Japanese supporters - the main draw is his name.

"Obama gives good speeches and has a good voice, so I want him to do well. And, of course, we
share the same name," Seiji Fujiwara, a hotel executive and leader of a local support group established
earlier this month for the candidate, said.

Residents in Obama - which means "small shore" in Japanese - want nothing in return for their support, but hope that if their man becomes president, he might grace them with a visit or perhaps even an international summit to put their little-known home on the tourist map.

Comments

[Jimmy, Japan]

That's ridiculously awesome.

[Edward Nobel Bisamunyu]

I have always held that there is a relationship between the Japanese and African languages. My mother travelled to Japan in the 1960s and returned to comment that many Japanese words meant something in our language. Later, as I grew up, I could not help but notice that everytime something was written about Japan, I recognised a word from an African language. In Swahili, for instance, the word NAANI means "who" or "whom" but the same words means "what" in Japanese. KYOTO means "fireplace" in my language and NAGOYA means "I have baked." I have tried to look deeper into this and spoken to many Japanese friends about this and they have also found it astonishing. This truly calls for a study. I am convinced that Western linguists would never even contemplate the possibility but am certain the Japanese and the Africans eventually will see the light!

[Jeff in Kansas]

While the article makes for an interesting story I just hope neither Obama OR Clinton wins the election since they are dyed in the wool socialist if not outright communists!
We in the US. are heading to the hammer and sickle type of government without the help from these two and I don't like McCain either!

[David Jackson]

We want Obama for President!

[BruceInKentucky]

As shallow as the man himself, but the Japanese do have a penchant for Idoru Worshippu (idol worship). Also amusing that they like the idea of a black U.S. president...I wonder how many Diet members are ethnic Korean or Chinese?

[Benjamin from Canada]

It's a small town celebrating a name - not worshipping idols or making grand political stands. Criticizing the ethnic makeup of Japan's Diet over this story is a wild throw.

[Molo Kudan Manila]

Since the man is lacking in real accomplishments, esp. in the field of foreign affairs, to qualify as America's new CEO, he may as well claim this one as as his first: a picturesque town in a foreign land "named" after him.

[Anthony in Illinois]

Hey Obama, Japan--- your awesome. The people of Illinois are psyched.

[Don Johnson]

The Japanese are wonderful people, I think along with the other news of the day - the Italian election being positively influenced by Obama - is an indication we are already beginning to have a positive influence on the world. There is a great one amongst us and is one of us,

[dabwiso]

which race is superior? I dont understand,why white is always felt superior.
When is this issue going to end?The race card.I hace a solution? We should have more white girls marrying black men and more white men marrying black women,chainese japanis asians and so forth.We should have this topic at the united nations.
Women must be in the forefront because they are the ones that produce babies,have more of the barack obamas,so that in the next 100 years there will be no black or white neither chines.
Whats your comment?

[Deanestrada@hotmail.com]

Wow!