Japan: Obama gets support from Japanese city · Global Voices
Hanako Tokita

(This is article is crossposted on Voices without Votes)
Excitement is growing in a sleepy fishing town on the coast of the Japan Sea. The city of Obama, whose name means “little beach” in Japanese, is receiving unusual attention for its coincidental resemblance to the name of a certain US presidential candidate.
Obama merchandise, from T-shirts to manju to chopsticks with Obama's face printed on them, is sold at local shops and posters are put up at every corner of the city. On Super Tuesday, a volunteer group that supports Obama organized a “public viewing” event, attended by about 300 residents wearing their Obama T-shirts and  headbands. Adding to the excitement,  the mayor of Obama received a letter from the Senator expressing appreciation for their support.
A blogger  [Ja] shares the city's excitement:
It is quite a surprise that a letter addressed to the city arrived from [Senator] Obama.
Even though it was for the support that came from a place that has no influence [on the election].
It shows Mr. Obama's greatness as a person.
I think it marks a huge difference [between him] and another person who is competing using her husband's achievements and name value.
On the other hand, many bloggers have expressed critical views and pointed out that the candidate's policy does not seem to matter to the Japanese Obama “campaign” and  it lacks political sensitivity.
stoyachi writes:
とはいえ、オバマ氏の政治手腕は未知数。日本に対してどのような政策を実行するのかもわかりませんね。
One of the users of a news BBS commented expressing their critical opinion:
この選挙に対する選挙権もないわけで、ただのお祭り騒ぎと傍観していてもよいかもしれません。
しかし、小浜市民の全員がオバマ氏を支持しているわけでもないだろうし、ましてや税金使って応援グッズを贈ったり、「市長」自らが「健闘を祈りたい」ということには、違和感を覚えます。
However, I don't think all the people of Obama City support Mr. Obama, and not only that, spending tax money on sending merchandise, and the mayor himself wishing [Obama] good luck — I think there's something wrong about this.
オバマ氏は、米国の将来を決める大統領になるため、自らの信念を掲げて立候補しているわけで。
米国民の生活がかかっているわけですよね。責任重大です。
なのに、日本のある行政機関が、そのオバマ氏の主張や主義を認めて応援するのではなく、単に「音」が一緒だから応援するというのは、ヘンじゃないでしょうか？
Although not entirely critical, this blogger  provides a cynical view:
ポリシーなど何もなく、節操がない様な気もするが、これはこれで良いのでは。オバマ氏が大統領になったとしても、小浜市を訪れることはないと思うけど、地方都市が(ヤケッパチ(?)でも)元気を出しているのは今どき悪いことではない。小浜市には小浜さんという名字の方もたくさん居るのだろう。一方、日本には「くりんとん市」は無い。「ヒラリーの涙」と名付けたワインが出回ることもないだろう。名前を聞いただけで「超辛口」で飲む気がしない。