I don't know much about Japanese culture, but I know that bowing is a pretty big deal and a sign of respect or something like that, so when Hirai and the others bowed for seven seconds I'm assuming that was a pretty big deal and something that's probably lost on a lot of people who aren't familiar.

I know Giant Bomb has a few people who are a lot more experienced with Japanese culture than I am, so am I correct in assuming that the bowing is a pretty big apology coming from the executives of a fuckhuge corporation like Sony?

Figured I would make it a blog post so people could ignore it if they wanted.

I wouldn't call it an apology, just a greeting.

In the parallel universe where Sony is an American company:

Cowboy hats are tipped forward. The executives light cigars and blow smoke all over the audience. They then stand up, brandishing their assault rifles and shotguns, and say, "Let's go get them fuckin' hackers, YEE HAWW" The whole place explodes in excitement and the guns are fired at the ceiling.

I doubt anyone really cares about them bowing. 

" I doubt anyone really cares about them bowing. 

Tony Hayward said he was sorry tons of times but everyone knew he didn't give a fuck, same goes for Sony execs.

"

" @zombie2011 said:

" I doubt anyone really cares about them bowing. 

Tony Hayward said he was sorry tons of times but everyone knew he didn't give a fuck, same goes for Sony execs.

"

Thats cus Tony Hayward was in charge in the biggest screw up. 

Sony just had their systems hacked, Tony Hayward had a GLOBAL CATASTROPHY to deal with.

It's like a ant bite (Sony) compared to a snake bite (BP).

"

Kaz bowed during the NGP announcement conference too. It's a Japenese culture thing.

Smug bastards were probably just smelling their own farts...

From Wikipedia:

 

Bows are a required and expected part of any apology or expression of thanks in East Asia, especially Japan, Korea, and Taiwan .

Bows of apology tend to be deeper and last longer than other types of bow. They occur with frequency during the apology, generally at about 45 degrees with the head lowered and lasting for at least the count of three, sometimes longer. The depth, frequency and duration of the bow increases with the sincerity of the apology and the severity of the offense. Bows of thanks follow the same pattern.

Bows of apology are frequently performed at press conferences by high-ranking members of a company that has performed some misdeed, such as producing faulty parts that resulted in a death. These bows are almost invariably performed standing behind a table; the tips of the fingers touch the table while the upper body, held straight, is lowered from the waist until the face is parallel with the tabletop.

" I wouldn't call it an apology, just a greeting. "

didnt watch it but if they were bowing for 7 seconds i would say they were expressing how sorry they were through a bow.  can kaz hirai speak japanese?

It's a thing you do. Sort of like how Americans say "hows it going?" as a greeting and they don't actually care how it is going.
I've seen plenty of Japanese politicians and CEO's even cry while bowing and act like they are ready to commit suicide over their guilt (which actually has happened. I know at least as late as the 80's there was a politician who commited good old fashioned Seppuku with a sword and all). It's from the time when a samurai who failed would take his own life.

Seppuku or GTFO.

Sony lost my trust.  In my mind Microsoft won the console wars by default, and a bow isn't going to change that.

" didnt watch it but if they were bowing for 7 seconds i would say they were expressing how sorry they were through a bow.  can kaz hirai speak japanese? "

" From Wikipedia:

 

Bows are a required and expected part of any apology or expression of thanks in East Asia, especially Japan, Korea, and Taiwan .

Bows of apology tend to be deeper and last longer than other types of bow. They occur with frequency during the apology, generally at about 45 degrees with the head lowered and lasting for at least the count of three, sometimes longer. The depth, frequency and duration of the bow increases with the sincerity of the apology and the severity of the offense. Bows of thanks follow the same pattern.

Bows of apology are frequently performed at press conferences by high-ranking members of a company that has performed some misdeed, such as producing faulty parts that resulted in a death. These bows are almost invariably performed standing behind a table; the tips of the fingers touch the table while the upper body, held straight, is lowered from the waist until the face is parallel with the tabletop.

"

" Sony lost my trust.  In my mind Microsoft won the console wars by default, and a bow isn't going to change that. "

" Sony lost my trust.  In my mind Microsoft won the console wars by default, and a bow isn't going to change that. "

Sony lost my trust.  In my mind Microsoft won the console wars by default, and a bow isn't going to change that.

If my credit card has been hacked, they're gonna have to do more than bowing...

Bow or not, I don't really care about the cultural implication. I just want the guarantee that the credit info is safe. Or not. Honestly, I just want a definitive answer. 

" @xsheps said:

" Sony lost my trust.  In my mind Microsoft won the console wars by default, and a bow isn't going to change that. "

Derp der der derp.  "

You know... I read through half of the first page thinking you guys were talking about "bowling" and I now that I see it is bowing that they did, it makes a LOT more sense that that is something to show a sign of apology/regret/etc.

" @xsheps said:

" Sony lost my trust.  In my mind Microsoft won the console wars by default, and a bow isn't going to change that. "

Way to dive in head first, bro. "

" You know... I read through half of the first page thinking you guys were talking about "bowling" and I now that I see it is bowing that they did, it makes a LOT more sense that that is something to show a sign of apology/regret/etc. "