Former Japanese PM urges peace to mark WWII anniversary

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama called for deeper cooperation between China and Japan to help break the global cycle of conflict and division, in a keynote speech delivered Thursday at the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Beijing.

Former Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama speaks at the Global Civilizations Dialogue Ministerial Meeting in Beijing, July 10, 2025. [Photo by Guo Shasha/China Pictorial]

Speaking at a time of rising international instability, Hatoyama said that this year — which marks the 80th anniversary of the end of World War II — should be a moment for reflection and renewed commitment to peace. "The 20th century was a century of war," he said. "Many had hoped the 21st would be a century of peace, but we are already a quarter into it, and wars and divisions continue to intensify."

He pointed to ongoing conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza, and rising tensions between nations like the United States and Iran, as signs that the world is veering further from peaceful coexistence. Against this backdrop, Hatoyama urged China and Japan to lead by example.

If neighbors harbor hostility, the damage is mutual. But if they support each other, the benefits ripple outward, he said.

Hatoyama stressed the importance of building what he called a "fraternity-based society" — one built on mutual respect, understanding and support. "Fraternity is not an outdated idea," he said. "In today's world, it is more essential than ever — not only between individuals, but between nations."

He also expressed admiration for China's approach to modernization, calling it "a contribution of Eastern wisdom to the progress of human civilization." He praised China's vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind and frameworks like the Belt and Road and the Global Development Initiative, which he said offer an inclusive, cooperative alternative to zero-sum geopolitics.

Hatoyama emphasized that true freedom and equality cannot exist in isolation, but only through coexistence. Drawing on Confucian values such as the concept that "harmony is most precious," he argued that these traditional philosophies could serve as guiding principles for global governance.

As the world reflects on the tragedies of past wars, Hatoyama said it is time for China and Japan to "show the world a way out of the cycle of division and hatred."

"We must recognize how foolish it is to kill each other or disparage other nations," he said, hoping that the meeting can send a clear message of peace to the world.