27-Nov-2009
EU Business
Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama stressed the need for a free trade pact with Europe in a phone conversation on Thursday with incoming EU president Herman Van Rompuy, the foreign ministry said.
23-Sep-2009
Yukio Hatoyama and the Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ) have finally taken up the reins of power after their stunning election victory Aug. 30. The promise of their manifesto is change. With politicians on top and bureaucrats on tap, Japan is to develop a proactive autonomous foreign policy that establishes a more balanced Japan-U.S. alliance, strengthens Japan’s trade relations and promotes measures to prevent global warming. Interestingly, this agenda is echoed in Brussels.