People think Trump broke major protocol with concerning act during Japan visit

Donald Trump has been accused of breaking protocol at his meeting with Japan’s new leader Sanae Takaichi during his trip to the country.

Donald Trump may have caused the US some embarrassment by his behaviour during a meeting with Japan’s new prime minister Sanae Takaichi, at least that is according to some of his critics.

In case you were unaware, Trump has traveled to Japan this week as part of his Asia diplomatic tour.

While he was in the country, he met with the nation’s newly and first female-elected prime minister and addressed US troops on an aircraft carrier that is stationed near Tokyo.

He also signed a trade and rare earth agreement with the country, which will likely a point of bragging in the coming days.

However, it is a video from a ceremony that Trump attended that many pointed to as the moment he potentially breaking protocol.

The video footage shows Trump receive a ceremonial welcome from Takaichi at the Akasaka State Guesthouse.

This ceremony included musicians and soldiers standing at attention and video footage showed Trump and Takaichi walking around the room, seemingly to inspect and appreciate the spectacle.

However, there is one point where Trump walks past both the US and Japanese flag and simply salutes the soldiers.

Others have pointed out that it is traditionally customary for foreign representatives to bow to the other’s flag as a sign of respect.

Assistant professor and PHD at the Waseda University’s Organization for Regional and Inter-Regional Studies in Tokyo, Jeffrey J. Hall pointed this out on X formerlly known as Twitter as he shared the video.

It looks like President Trump didn't realize he was supposed to stop in front of the US and Japanese flags. Prime Minister Takaichi seemed confused that Trump kept walking, and then followed proper protocol and bowed in front of the flags.pic.twitter.com/ZRNIgqDy2D

— Jeffrey J. Hall 🇯🇵🇺🇸 (@mrjeffu) October 28, 2025

He wrote: “It looks like President Trump didn't realize he was supposed to stop in front of the US and Japanese flags. Prime Minister Takaichi seemed confused that Trump kept walking, and then followed proper protocol and bowed in front of the flags.”

He followed this up by showing what it ‘should’ look like, sharing a video of Sri Lanka’s president Anura Kumara Dissanayake bowing to the Japanese flag alongside Japan’s former prime minister Shigeru Ishiba, who bowed to Sri Lanka’s flag.

Other people on social media simply took to mocking Trump for the apparent blunder and claimed that it appeared the US president looked lost while strolling around the room.

One user wrote: “Trump violated protocol during his meeting with Japan’s Prime Minister Takaiichi. He didn’t stop by the flags, saluted the Japanese soldiers, and walked ahead without waiting for her.”

While another added: “He's walking and breathing at the same time - I wouldn't expect a whole lot more out of him.”

A third wrote: “They should have put a leash on him like a puppy dog. He is incapable of understanding any protocol. Such an embarrassment for our country.”

With another writing: “Trump knows nothing about Protocols, Traditions, or Standards. And he doesn't care. Trump does what Trump wants and doesn't care if it's disrespectful or not. This is Trump.”

UNILAD has contacted the White House for comment.