In a move widely seen as ignorant-bordering-upon-insulting, Israeli celebrity chef Segev Moshe made waves on May 2nd by serving Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe his dessert in a metal shoe while Netanyahu, Prime Minister of Israel, was hosting. Shoes are generally seen as unfitting for the dinner table around the world but are especially unacceptable in mainstream Japanese culture, with the Japanese people known for removing their shoes before even entering a residence; anonymous Japanese and Israeli diplomats railed against the move as insensitive, saying of shoes: "there is nothing lowlier than a shoe in Japanese culture". While Abe has yet to make a statement on the choice, the denizens of the internet have not been so restrained, adding to Japan-Israel tensions already heightened by remarks by Netanyahu effectively complaining of a lack of media coverage of the visit.
This ties into American history when then-president LBJ would posture and disrespect American (and foreign) politicians with his intimidating stature and shameless indecency; the man would burp at, cuss out, and even pee on others just to stand his ground. Though this turned out well enough for Johnson (the man passed some pretty controversial legislation), he never insulted the head of a more stable and economically powerful state in such a manner, and was generally more domineering than the Israeli Prime Minister; it'll be interesting to see what Netanyahu does to remedy the situation.
https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/05/07/netanyahu-puts-wrong-foot-forward-by-serving-japans-abe-dessert-in-a-shoe/?utm_term=.aace1e88ca6f
It is interesting how a simple lack of observation of culture can change relations between countries. I hope the situation is remedied as you said.
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