Japan and the United States

As one of Japan's most distinguished and gifted diplomats of his generation, Yukio Okamoto navigated the corridors of political power at the highest levels. In Japan and the United States, Okamoto recounts the compelling story of his diplomatic service and his role as a steadfast advocate for strong Japan-United States relations during an era of political crises, war, and fierce economic competition.

Okamoto was born in 1945 just two months after Japan surrendered to the Allies ending World War II. During the war, his father served in the infamous Unit 731, a secret research project that committed horrific war crimes in occupied China. Okamoto was deeply affected by his country's devastation and his family's shame.

During his 20-year career in the Japanese Foreign Ministry and after he left government, Okamoto was an indispensable advisor to several Japanese prime ministers including Ryutaro Hashimoto, Junichiro Koizumi and Shinzo Abe. He worked tirelessly to strengthen relations with the United States even as other Japanese government officials advocated for the dismantling of the US-Japan Security Alliance. The survival of this alliance is due in no small part to Okamoto's influence.

Okamoto was a fixture on Japan's Sunday news shows and his fingerprints can be found on virtually every difficult foreign policy decision during his tenure, including the controversy over the U.S. military presence in Okinawa, Japan's response to the "comfort women" issue, and the reconciliation with China over the discovery of chemical weapons left over from the war.

This book features contributions from former Deputy Secretary of State Richard Armitage and former Assistant Secretary of Defense Joseph K. Nye, who both worked with Okamoto on numerous occasions and share their thoughts on his life, career, and legacy as an influential friend of the United States.