In a fragmenting global order, former Japanese leader urges pivot to China

AdvertisementChina-Japan relationsChinaDiplomacyIn a fragmenting global order, former Japanese leader urges pivot to China

Yukio Hatoyama says the two powers should work together against ‘US arrogance’ and expand coalitions with like-minded nations

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Alyssa ChenPublished: 6:00pm, 29 Apr 2026Former Japanese prime minister Yukio Hatoyama has called on Beijing and Tokyo to work together against “US arrogance”, as the global order is upended by President Donald Trump.

Hatoyama, who was Japan’s prime minister from 2009 to 2010, said the two nations should find common ground and work to manage their bilateral relations.

“I would argue that Japan and China should jointly confront a self-centred United States and [prevent] the collapse of the world order,” Hatoyama said at an event in Hong Kong on Tuesday.Advertisement

“To do so, expanding coalitions with various like-minded nations, on a case-by-case basis, will increase our bargaining power.”

Hatoyama was speaking at an event organised by the University of Hong Kong’s new School of Governance and Policy.AdvertisementHe said Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi had made courting Trump a priority to make sure “Japan does not fall victim to US bullying” but he said that approach was not sustainable.AdvertisementSelect VoiceSelect Speed0.8x0.9x1.0x1.1x1.2x1.5x1.75x00:0000:001.00x