international affairs

Obama Thanks Japan for Its Most Important Export: Emoji

US President Barack Obama accompanies Japan's Prime Minister Shizo Abe during a visit to Lincoln Memorial on April 27, 2015 in Washington, DC. AFP PHOTO/MANDEL NGAN (Photo credit should read MANDEL NGAN/AFP/Getty Images)
Photo: Mandel Ngan/AFP/Getty Images

The White House is hosting Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe tonight for a State dinner, and Obama welcomed him Tuesday morning with a ceremony on the south lawn. In addition to a 19-gun salute and the playing of both the Japanese and U.S. national anthems, Obama also gave a nice little speech encouraging Americans to thank Japan for their excellent contributions to society, like emoji.

Today is also a chance for Americans — especially our young people — to say thank you for all the things we love from Japan,” Obama said. “Like karate, karaoke, manga, anime and of course, emojis.”

Strangely, he did not address what is perhaps Japan’s most beloved export: tentacle porn.

Obama Thanks Japan for Its Top Export: Emoji