Obama, Japan supports Obama, Barack. Photo by Ko Sasaki, for the New York Times.

“I believe he’s the right president for this new age,” the mayor said, adding that he liked Mr. Obama’s opposition to the war in Iraq and his emphasis on dialogue. “America’s image in the world will change. And if Obama’s inaugurated president,” he added, “maybe we’ll get some American tourists.” – Toshio Murakami, Mayor of Obama

“America is John F. Kennedy and Rocky, you know, Sylvester Stallone, and now there’s Obama.” – Koichi Inoue, Obama resident