#  People 

 



The Acting Director (2024-25) is [David Howell](https://scholar.harvard.edu/dhowell/home), Robert K. and Dale J. Weary Professor of Japanese History. The Program Director, [Christina L. Davis](https://scholar.harvard.edu/cldavis/home), Edwin O. Reischauer Professor of Japanese Politics in the Department of Government, is on sabbatical during the 2024-25 academic year. [Susan J. Pharr](http://scholar.harvard.edu/spharr), Edwin O. Reischauer Professor of Japanese Politics Emerita, serves as the Program’s Senior Advisor. The Program leadership consults and collaborates with the [Faculty Advisory Committee](/people/people-categories/faculty-advisory-committee) and the [International Advisory Committee](/people/people-categories/international-advisory-committee) on strategic planning and programming. [Faculty Associates](http://programs.wcfia.harvard.edu/us-japan/people/people-categories/faculty-associates) at Harvard and neighboring institutions participate actively in program seminars, symposia, and workshops. [Staff](https://programs.wcfia.harvard.edu/us-japan/people/people-categories/staff) supports a variety of program activities.

The Program’s [Postdoctoral Fellows](https://programs.wcfia.harvard.edu/us-japan/taxonomy/term/4706), [Visiting Scholars](https://programs.wcfia.harvard.edu/us-japan/people-categories/visiting-scholars), and [Associates](https://programs.wcfia.harvard.edu/us-japan/people-categories/associate), complete a major research paper during the academic year, and present their research panels in program seminars. The [Executive Committee of the Tokyo Alumni Association](https://programs.wcfia.harvard.edu/us-japan/pages/executive-committee-tokyo-alumni-association) brings together the program alumni at an annual reception in Tokyo in January, and organizes other activities.

## Alumni Directory

For more information on program alumni, please visit the [Alumni Directory](https://programs.wcfia.harvard.edu/us-japan/associate-directory).