http://blogs.wsj.com/washwire/2009/01/20/early-inauguration-celebration-in-obama-japan/Halfway around the world in Japan, citizens of a tiny city — coincidentally called Obama — celebrated the inauguration early, kicking off with fireworks and a bell-ringing ceremony in a local temple.
At 7 p.m. sharp, dozens of people gathered at Hagaji temple for the event, organized by a 2,000-member committee of people supporting Barack Obama. They rang the bell seven times, representing the seven seas of the world, to pray for world peace. Next on the program: hula dancing by local women and a chorus of Beethoven’s “Ode to Joy” by a group of local singers.
The city of Obama, population 32,000, means Little Beach in Japanese.
Seiji Fujiwara, the committee’s leader, said he plans to stay up until 2 a.m. to watch the inauguration speech on TV with dozens of local people in a hotel he manages. “I wish we will have a chance to visit White House to meet with Mr. Obama over the next four years,” he said.
Worldwide, People Mobilize for Obama Inauguration
http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory?id=6685681In the Japanese town of Obama, stages were erected outside a local Buddhist temple for an "Obama for Obama" event, featuring hula dancers — Obama was born in Hawaii, and hula is popular in Japan — and speeches by local dignitaries.
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