In November 2009, Tadateru Konoe, Japanese Red Cross Society head, became the first Asian president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

In just over a year into his term, Konoe has faced major global crises, including the devastating earthquake in Haiti and the political unrest in the Middle East. And the IFRC has continued to play a major role in providing humanitarian aid to such countries and regions in need.

"Asia has become a major presence in the world today, and I am actually surprised that there had not been any Asian leaders in the past," Konoe said during a recent interview with The Japan Times.