What did you think of Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama's diplomatic debut on the world stage last week?

Sunday 27th September, 04:28 AM JST

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blvtzpk at 09:52 AM JST - 27th September

He handled himself well. I am getting tired of the overuse of 'debut' though. Each time I hear or read it it I wonder what sort of gown he was wearing and did he get a corsage or not.
Foxie at 10:44 AM JST - 27th September

Job well done!
johnnyreb at 09:49 AM JST - 28th September

his english was quite decent.
Wakarimasen at 11:01 AM JST - 28th September

Fabulous. Japan is back!
Rugbyfan at 11:38 AM JST - 28th September

I think Mr Hatoyama has done a very god job so far. He seems to be a likeable person who has self-confidence but is modest too. I just hope that one of his ministers or other politicians in his group don't do something really stupid, like showing up to a news conference drunk or embezzling funds. He hope he stays in power long enough to actually do some real good.
Hephatsheput at 11:57 AM JST - 28th September

Very unimpressed.
joetheplumber at 01:03 PM JST - 28th September

All show and no substance at this point. Addressing the UN is easy. Delivering will be difficult. I was not overly impressed.
XXXXX at 03:32 PM JST - 28th September

It seems that whatever he's done, it went well. Too bad I missed it.
ratpack at 04:06 PM JST - 28th September

Now comes the hard part.
clodhopperOne at 04:48 PM JST - 28th September

He looked very tired as he was trying to read from the speech text without even trying to look-up at audience. But the Speech had some substance... lets see if he can deliver what he said....
realist at 08:33 PM JST - 28th September

Great - but he shouold leave his dear wife at home - she`s an embarrassment.
desmosedici at 10:43 PM JST - 28th September

After having seen it on the news so many times, I also started to think it went great. They let him wait for 20 minutes, probably due to the lengthy rants of other leaders. He said what he wanted to say. He spoke rather well English, although he had some trouble with the word "bridge", but he practised it and anyway, who cares. Something about 25% and leadership. And people were applauding his speech. Then the Japanese media interviewed a variety of folks in attendance, but nobody had been listening...
kp123 at 05:53 AM JST - 29th September

Not much was mentioned about PM Hatoyama in the U.S. press unfortunately. The leading papers were remiss. Press and TV media underscored the Pittsburgh riots and the Irani ultimatum from Pres. Obama more than what other leaders had to say. I think the UN session prior to the G-20 summit was covered more extensively by the media. "Japan Today" is doing a great service to the uninformed about Japan.
Pukey2 at 07:12 AM JST - 29th September

rugby:

He seems to be a likeable person who has self-confidence but is modest too.

Yes, indeed, when compared to Aso, who always tried too hard to be cool and ended up looking like an idiot. I trust Hatoyama can read Japanese properly. Thank heavens he's making some promises for things that can benefit mankind, not like building a manga shrine.
tokyotom at 08:20 AM JST - 30th September

he sure kissed Obama's touche, despite what the campaign retoric said he has a lot to prove, we will see