First of two parts
Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama routinely refers to "yu-ai" (fraternity) when he talks about policy, including diplomacy. But since taking office in September, he appears more focused on pursuing fraternal ties in Asia rather than boosting relations, like his predecessors, with the United States.
Critics have warned that if the Hatoyama administration continues to distance itself from Japan's top ally, bilateral relations could suffer serious consequences.