Dear Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama,

You have repeatedly emphasized the need for the creation of an East Asian community. You wrote in the New York Times in August: "The East Asian region, which is showing increasing vitality, must be recognized as Japan's basic sphere of being. So we must continue to build frameworks for stable economic cooperation and security across the region."

While I could not agree more with your sentiments, all of us who are acquainted with Japan's modern history are well aware of this country's troubled past with its Asian neighbors, most especially China and Korea. You, of course, are well aware of this legacy, for you wrote: "Due to historical and cultural conflicts as well as conflicting national security interests, we must recognize that there are numerous difficult political issues." However, you then added: "The more these problems are discussed bilaterally, the greater the risk that emotions become inflamed and nationalism intensified."