Japanamerica via LA Times: Tiger and Toyota
"When Toyoda made that sort of apology in Japan, Roland Kelts, from the University of Tokyo, pointed out to ABC News that the executive had bowed very deeply. 'The deeper the bow,' said Kelts, 'the greater respect you show, and quite literally you are exposing the back of your neck. In samurai days, you were offering your head, which could be cut off.'"LINK