U.S.-Japan relations lost two giants, Dr. Ezra F. Vogel and Mr. Minoru “Ben” Makihara, last month.

Dr. Vogel was often described as one of the world's leading experts on East Asia. In my view, he was the foremost expert in the world on East Asia bar none because he was one of the most respected scholars on both Japan and China, the two major countries in the region. There are many scholars, who are on par with Dr. Vogel on one of these nations, but there was nobody, who was on a par with Dr. Vogel on both Japan and China in East Asia. His understanding of both countries was extremely deep and nuanced due to his multi-layered academic and practical approaches, combined with his rare mastery of two difficult languages. There is so much to learn from his last book “China and Japan: Facing History” (2019) on how the two nations learned from each other over the centuries and how important it will be for the two nations (and the U.S.) to make efforts to seek a constructive relationship in an increasingly complex and competitive geopolitical environment in the region.

Mr. Makihara was widely known as one of the most astute international business leaders in post-war Japan. He was born in London, educated at St. Paul’s, a boarding school in New Hampshire, and then at Harvard University. He went on to work for Mitsubishi Corporation and became president and chairman, leading one of the world’s most respected companies during the difficult post bubble period in Japan. Mr. Makihara dedicated his life to improve and strengthen the relationship between the U.S. and Japan with peace and prosperity of East Asia in mind. He personally knew the pain of military conflicts as his father, a Mitsubishi executive, was killed by the U.S. Navy when the ship he was traveling on from Manila, Philippines to Tokyo, the Taiyo Maru, was sunk by a submarine torpedo attack. A framed black and white photo of the ship was always hung at his office at Mitsubishi headquarters. He established the company`s Washington office in 1971 forging close friendships with central figures in Washington, such as Mrs. Katherine Graham. Mr. Makihara played a major role as chairman of the U.S.-Japan Business Council and chairman of the U.S.-Japan Conference on Cultural and Educational Interchange among many other positions focusing on U.S.-Japan relations over the years.

Dr. Vogel and Mr. Makihara, together with Dr. Henry Rosovsky, Dr. Susan Pharr and Dr. Shoichiro Toyoda, and some others, played a central role in establishing Harvard’s Asia Center. Dr. Vogel and Mr. Makihara shared the importance of creating a platform to connect the U.S. and Asia, reflecting tremendous security, political, economic, and social transformation of the region. Both Dr. Vogel and Mr. Makihara were interested in fostering lively exchanges of ideas among researchers, policy makers, and practioners in the U.S. and Asia. They also thought it was crucially important to provide opportunities to young people in the U.S. and Asia to grow and become leaders of the future.

Following in the footsteps of these two giants, Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA also hopes to contribute to strengthening the U.S.-Japan relationship. With everyone at Sasakawa Peace Foundation USA, I offer my heartfelt condolences to the families of Dr. Vogel and Mr. Makihara. May their legacies live on for generations to come.

Dr. Akimoto published a tribute to Dr. Vogel in the Japan Times shortly after his passing on December 20, 2020.

On January 26, Sasakawa USA was pleased to host an online event on the U.S.-Japan alliance with RADM James Kelly, USN (Ret.), Former Commander, U.S. Naval Forces Japan, and Dr. Takako Hikotani, the Gerald L. Curtis Associate Professor of Modern Japanese Politics and Foreign Policy at Columbia University. Drawing on his many years of service in Japan, RADM Kelly reviewed the evolution of U.S.-Japan cooperation in defense and addressed areas of potential growth. His talk focused on the importance of personal relationships in building a stronger alliance as well as the need for continued dialogue amongst all stakeholders. Dr. Hikotani as the discussant added her own perspective on the trajectory of the U.S.-Japan alliance. A recap of the event, as well as a recording of the discussion, will be available on Sasakawa USA’s website in the coming weeks.

Photo: RADM Kelly, USN (Ret.), and Dr. Hikotani

On January 23, JUMP was pleased to host a special online event titled “Beyond Reconciliation: Celebrate Japan-U.S. Alliance and Honor Nisei Veterans,” in partnership with the Japan-America Society of the State of Washington, the National Association of Japan-America Societies, the Embassy of Japan in the United States, and the Nisei Veterans Committee (NVC). In addition to a special performance by the Japanese Ground Self Defense Force 1st Infantry Regiment Bugle Team, the event featured many speakers from the United States and Japan. Guests included the Honorable Hisao Inagaki, Consul General of Japan in Seattle, Major General Hiroyuki Sugai, Defense Attaché at the Embassy of Japan, Major General Xavier T. Brunson, Commanding General of the U.S. 7th Infantry Division, and Rear Admiral Stephen D. Barnett, Commander of Navy Region Northwest. Their presentations centered on the strength of the U.S.-Japan alliance and the long legacy of military service in the Nisei community. Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Director of JUMP, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, also delivered a message on the missions of JUMP and Sasakawa USA’s continuing objective to strengthen U.S.-Japan relations. The event video is available here.

Photo: Panel discussion by MG Sugai, left, MG Brunson, center, and RADM Barnett, right, moderated by Lt. Col. Yaguchi, USAF (Ret.), Vice Commander of NVC, top left.

On January 28, JET Alumni Association of Chicago held a virtual event “J-Talks: Finding Japan in the Midwest,” which was sponsored by Sasakawa USA through a mini-grant partnership with USJETAA. In their webinar series “Strengthening Ties Through Dialogue,” this first session explored the hidden roots of Chicago's Japanese communities and discussed the role the Midwest plays in bridging US-Japan relations. The panel consisted of Mr. Erik Matsunaga, a writer and researcher who provided a virtual tour of Chicago’s historic Japantown; Mr. Dustin Henrich, President of the Heartland JET Alumni Association, who spoke on sister city relations in the Midwest; and Ms. Jo Oyama-Miller, Board President of Madison-Obihiro Sister Cities, Inc who shared a touching look at the deep ties between the two cities and the transformative impact it has had on both communities.

Photo: Mr. Matano

On January 24, Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, was interviewed live by BS-TBS on the Japanese TV program, “Sunday News Biz Square,” where he spoke about the Biden administration. The interview was hosted by Mr. Takushi Harima, the former Tokyo Broadcasting System’s (TBS) Washington Bureau Chief. In their conversation, Dr. Akimoto and Mr. Harima discussed the Inaugural Address by President Biden, the highlights of his first 100 days, and the nominees for his administration. Lastly, Dr. Akimoto shared his insights on the Japanese government’s approach to the Biden administration from the perspective of enhancing international cooperation.

Photo: Mr. Harima and Dr. Akimoto

In his new article, “Prime Minister Suga, Muddling Through,” Dr. Satohiro Akimoto, Chairman and President of Sasakawa USA, gives his assessment of the current state of Prime Minister Suga’s leadership. Mr. Suga began his tenure with overwhelming support from Japanese citizens, but the spread of COVID-19 and the resulting economic consequences has led to sharply falling poll numbers. While some Japanese media outlets are suggesting this is the beginning of the end of the relatively young administration, Dr. Akimoto argues that how Mr. Suga and his cabinet navigate the coming months will be a deciding factor. With successful management of the COVID-19 crisis, the decrease in public support for the Prime Minister could very well be reversed. Furthermore, the success or failure of such efforts will inform the Prime Minister’s critical decision on when to hold the next general election.

Photo: Prime Minister Suga at the 53rd meeting of the Novel Coronavirus Response Headquarters on January 22, 2021. (Official Website of the Prime Minister of Japan and His Cabinet)

Sasakawa USA is pleased to host a virtual event on February 2 remembering the late Dr. Ezra F. Vogel with Dr. Steven K. Vogel, Chair of Political Economy Program, University of California, Berkeley, Mr. Glen S. Fukushima, Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress, and Dr. Joseph S. Nye, Jr., University Distinguished Service Professor, Emeritus at Harvard University. Throughout his sixty-year career of scholarship and teaching, Dr. Ezra F. Vogel demonstrated a unique commitment to building understanding between East Asia and the United States. He leaves behind not only a rich catalog of landmark works on China and Japan, but also a legacy of inspiring his colleagues, students, and friends. To pay tribute to Dr. Vogel, our speakers will share their personal experiences with the late professor.

Photo: Dr. Vogel, Mr. Fukushima, and Dr. Nye