Yukio Hatoyama

Former Prime Minister of Japan

Born on Feb 11, 1947, Yukio Hatoyama is the 93rd Prime Minister of Japan (2009–10). He belongs to the Hatoyama family which had produced four generations of politicians including his grandfather, Ichiro Hatoyama, who served as Prime Minister between 1954 and 1956.  

Yukio Hatoyama was educated as an engineer, earning a bachelor’s degree at the University of Tokyo (1969) and a doctorate at Stanford University (1976). He taught at Senshu University in Tokyo since 1981 and began his own political career as a member of the Liberal Democratic Party, winning election in 1986 to the House of Representatives as a member from Hokkaido. In 1996, he joined the newly formed Democratic Party of Japan (DPJ), serving as Co-Leader. He became President of DPJ from 2009 and he served as Japan’s 93rd Prime Minister from September 2009 to June 2010. He also received Order of Friendship of Russian Federation in 2011 as well as Vietnam Friendship Medal in 2013.

Since leaving the frontline politics, Yukio Hatoyama has remained active in private sector. He is currently President of East Asian Community Institute (EACI) since May 2013. He also serves various positions such as President of Yuai Foundation, Honorary Advisor of International Academic Society for Asian Community and Supreme Advisor of Japan-Russia Society.