Arab News Japan

TOKYO: Former Japanese Prime Minister HATOYAMA Yukio has accused US President-elect Donald Trump of making “outrageous remarks” about his desire to purchase Greenland and acquire Canada as the 51st state of the United States.

Hatoyama called on Japanese Prime Minister ISHIBA Shigeru to tackle Trump. “Is Japan, which is dependent on the United States, unable to say anything?” Hatoyama asked. “Prime Minister Ishiba, as a friend, should admonish him.”

Hatoyama made the remarks on X, which Trump ally Elon Musk owns.

Trump made the remarks about Greenland and Canada at a press conference at Mar-a-Lago in Florida, saying: “Greenland is necessary for the security of the United States,” threatening to impose tariffs on Denmark if it was unwilling to sell Greenland, which is autonomous Danish territory.

Trump also suggested that if Canada were absorbed into the United States, it would avoid tariffs and be safe from threats from Russia and China, backing up previous comments where he said: “Canada should become the 51st state of the United States. If we join, what a wonderful country we will become!”

Hatoyama was only prime minister for nine months (2009-2010) but managed to push through several social welfare bills during his time in office. He is regarded as somewhat eccentric – he is known as ET – and practices transcendental meditation. He is also known for his outspoken comments. For example, in March 2015, he visited Crimea and claimed that the referendum in Crimea was “constitutional.”

Hatoyama, 77, comes from a famous Japanese political dynasty that has been likened to the Kennedys in America. His paternal grandfather was a prime minister, and his father was a foreign minister. His maternal grandfather founded the Bridgestone Corporation.