A Visit From the Emperor of Japan

A Visit From the Emperor of Japan

On September 26, 1971, Hirohito, the emperor of Japan, touched down in Anchorage, Alaska, where President Nixon was waiting to greet him. The meeting was brief, as the emperor was Europe-bound: his plane landed at 10 pm and took off again at 11:40. Nevertheless, it...
1972: A Key Year for Nixon’s Asia Policy

1972: A Key Year for Nixon’s Asia Policy

On January 6-7, 1972, President Nixon met with the Prime Minister of Japan, Sato Eisaku, at San Clemente to hammer out the details of the upcoming reversion of Okinawa. It was nearly the end of a difficult and emotional but ultimately successful venture. The US...
Okinawa Down…More Issues to Go

Okinawa Down…More Issues to Go

This political cartoon from August 1971 suggests a foreboding future for relations with Japan. Fortunately, the reality was not so grim.One of the first National Security Study Memoranda (NSSMs) President Nixon issued was NSSM 5, a study on US policy toward Japan. The...
1953: VP Nixon in Japan

1953: VP Nixon in Japan

The presidency of Richard Nixon played a crucial role in the development of post-World War II relations between Japan and the United States, which culminated in the return of Okinawa to the Japanese government in 1972. However, RN’s encouragement of Japanese autonomy...