Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama attended the graduation ceremony at the National Defense Academy in Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture.

In his address, Prime Minister Hatoyama said, "It is a proper mission of the Self-Defense Forces (SDF) to engage in national defense. Japan has pursued the policy of self-defense while maintaining the Japan-US alliance as a cornerstone [of its foreign policy]. This policy is unwavering and remains unchanged under the Hatoyama Cabinet. It is also essential from Japan's security strategy point of view that we develop a perspective of creating a network for mutual dependence and building trust with neighboring countries and establishing common rules that will be adhered to more proactively. This is an implication of an East Asian community that I advocate. Promotion of trade, investment, and people-to-people exchanges is not the only way to expand networking in Asia; the SDF could be a crucial player in this endeavor, too. For example, the SDF can play a significant role in international disaster relief activities, the United Nations peacekeeping operations (PKO), and activities to fight piracy. Let us exert our strengths to the greatest extent possible for this nation."