| Date: | 13 November 2013 |
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| Speaker: | Dr Yukio Hatoyama |
National goal that emerges from the concept of fraternity is the creation of an East Asian community. Of course, Japan-US Security Pact will continue to be the cornerstone of Japanese diplomatic policy. Unquestionably, the Japan-US relationship is an important pillar for Japan. However, at the same time, we must not forget our identity as a nation located in Asia. I believe that the East Asian region, which is showing increasing vitality in its economic growth and even closer mutual ties, must be recognized as Japan's basic sphere of being. Therefore we must continue to make efforts to build frameworks for stable economic co-operation and national security across the region.
Dr Yukio Hatoyama is the President of the East Asian Community Institute. As the 93rd Prime Minister of Japan from September 2009 to June 2010, Dr Hatoyama was the first ever Prime Minister from the Democratic Party of Japan. Dr Hatoyama ran for a seat in Hokkaido's 9th district and was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1986, representing the ruling Liberal Democratic Party. In 1993 he left the Liberal Democratic Party to co-form the New Party Sakigake. He then started the newly-formed Democratic Party of Japan in 1996, and served as its President from September 1999 to December 2002, and from May 2009 to June 2010. He led the party to victory in the 2009 general election, defeating the long-governing Liberal Democratic Party. His membership of the House of Representatives ended in November 2012, and he established the East Asian Community Institute in 2013. Dr Hatoyama holds a BS of Engineering from the University of Tokyo and a PhD in Engineering in Stanford University.
presented by
Office of the Vice-President (Research)
