Why would you expect them to be the same? They are two countries, thousands of miles apart, and with completely different cultures and histories.

No reason. Just remember it! I really don't understand the above question. Two different nations, nothing in common, etc.

Japan's habit might have come back from Manekineko Because it is common everywhere here. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_gestures#cite_note-6 http://www.onmarkproductions.com/html/maneki-neko.shtml I couldn't look for the origin of the gesture "go away" . Maybe , to avoid confusion with "come on" ? maybe !