Since 1987, the Program has annually hosted a leading commentator on U.S.-Japan relations or other relevant topics to give a major address. At Harvard for several days, the Distinguished Visitor also lectures in classes and meets with Associates and students. The individuals so recognized in recent years, and the titles of their speeches, are listed below.
2010-11
T.J. Pempel
Professor of Political Science, University of California, Berkeley
Lecture title: "Japanese Politics: Between Pork and Productivity"
Discussant: Hirotaka Takeuchi. Professor of Management Practice, Harvard Business School
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2009-10
Sheldon Garon
Dodge Professor of History and East Asian Studies, Princeton University
Lecture title: "'Keep on Saving': How Other Nations Forged Cultures of Thrift When America Didn't"
Discussant: Lizabeth Cohen. Howard Mumford Jones Professor of American Studies, and Chair, Department of History, Harvard University
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2008-09
Carol Gluck
George Sansom Professor of History, Columbia University
Lecture title: "Past Obsessions: World War II in History and Memory"
Discussant: David Blackbourn, Coolidge Professor of History and Director, Minda de Gunzburg Center for European Studies, Harvard University