Obama city in Japan celebrates with temple bells, dancing
TOKYO (AFP) — Temple bells rang out and women danced gleefully in the small Japanese port city of Obama as its accidental namesake claimed his place in history as America's first black president.
As a tribute to Hawaii, Barack Obama's state of birth, the city's hula dancers, who call themselves the Obama girls, braved chilly temperatures to perform.
Residents of the small central city of 32,000 people -- Obama means "small shore" in Japanese -- hope the new US president will one day pay them a visit.
"I am very happy as the mayor of the city which shares the name Obama and as a citizen of Obama," Mayor Koji Matsuzaki said in a statement, willing the new US president to visit.
"We have been waiting for this day to share the joy since the days of the Democratic Party's presidential primaries. We would be honoured if you stop by in Obama when you visit Japan," he said.
It was Obama himself who first drew attention to the connection. He told Japan's TBS network in 2006 that, when he flew into Japan, a passport control officer said he was from Obama.
A local Buddhist monk, Shoryu Tamagawa, encouraged the mayor to send Obama a good-luck charm and a pair of chopsticks.
Supporters in Obama followed the election race closely, putting up posters wishing the senator luck and making sweets bearing his likeness.
"I want the president to come to Japan and visit Obama," said Seiji Fujihara, a local tourism official who led a support campaign for Obama.
In Tokyo, young Japanese gathered at cafes and bookstores to watch Obama's inauguration.
Over 100 people, including hip hop fans who dedicated songs to the new president, chanted "Obama" with beer mugs in hand at an underground bar in Kabukicho, one of the capital's largest red-light districts.
"I thought what Obama was saying was that anybody, regardless of what colour of skin or disabilities you have, can speak out," said Shuichi Matsuoka, 34.
"I myself have leg disabilities, but I came here to prove that I am also speaking out."