'Obama for Obama'

The Japanese city of Obama ('small beach') was once renowned nationally as the key trading port from China and Korea to mainland Japan. It was through its streets that trade poured in from mainland Asia for many years.

Times have changed, however. As Japan evolved, trade through the city has dwindled. Tourists are now more likely to visit the town because of its reputation for manufacturing chopsticks, or its historic wooden Old Town.

...This was the case until a certain American politician, almost unknown at the time, landed in Japan on a political visit in 2006. Barack...