Japan woke up yesterday with surprise to see the intense scrutiny of its First Lady's proficiency in English.
It followed US President Donald Trump's comment, as part of his broad‑ranging New York Times interview, that the wife of the Japanese Prime Minister Akie Abe, cannot speak any English.
When discovered on YouTube a video of her giving a speech in English, however, they went on to speculate that she must have pretended to not know the language to avoid having a conversation with Trump.
His critics treated her as their hero and American media have taken an intense interest in the story.
But the truth may not be as black and white.
While the president's remark that she cannot even say "hello" may be an exaggeration, being able to read a scripted English speech does not mean that one is capable of having a spontaneous conversation over dinner.
Her previous diplomatic encounters have almost always been through an interpreter and when the BBC requested an interview with her in the past, they said she would only accept if it is conducted in Japanese.
Source: BBC
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