Knowra Edwin O. Reischauer Edwin O. Reischauer Edwin O. Reischauer was an American historian of Japan and U.S. ambassador to Japan from 1961 to 1966. He helped shape postwar American understanding of Japan and East Asia.
George M. McCune : An American scholar of Japan who taught at Harvard and helped establish Japanese studies in the United States. McCune was Reischauer’s Harvard colleague and collaborator in developing Japanese studies.
United States ambassador to Japan : The chief diplomatic representative of the United States to the government of Japan. Reischauer held this post from 1961 to 1966.
Japanese studies : The interdisciplinary study of Japan’s language, history, society, politics, and culture. Reischauer helped establish Japanese studies as a major field in American universities.
The Japanese Today : Edwin O. Reischauer’s 1977 book introducing Japanese society, history, and culture to general readers. This widely read work extended his influence from diplomacy into public understanding of Japan.
John F. Kennedy : The 35th president of the United States, serving from 1961 until his assassination in 1963. Kennedy appointed Reischauer ambassador to Japan in 1961.
Treaty of Mutual Cooperation and Security between the United States and Japan : The 1960 treaty that established the framework for the U.S.–Japan security alliance. As ambassador, Reischauer defended the alliance created by this treaty amid Japanese protests.
Harvard University : A private research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, founded in 1636. Reischauer studied and taught at Harvard, where he helped build its East Asian studies program.
Japan: The Story of a Nation : Edwin O. Reischauer’s concise history of Japan, first published in 1970. The book distilled his historical scholarship for students and general audiences.
Eisaku Satō : A Japanese politician who served as prime minister from 1964 to 1972. Satō became prime minister during Reischauer’s ambassadorship and worked with him on bilateral issues.
Okinawa Reversion Agreement : The 1971 agreement that provided for the return of Okinawa from U.S. administration to Japan. Reischauer advocated returning Okinawa to Japanese control after leaving his ambassadorial post.
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