Dr. Donald C. Hellmann (Professor Emeritus, University of Washington) to receive 2019 Fall Decoration from the Government of Japan
2019/11/3
On November 3, 2019, the Government of Japan announced that Dr. Donald C. Hellmann, Professor Emeritus of the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies at the University of Washington, has been awarded the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon, in recognition of his contributions in promoting academic exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States.
Summary of Contributions
Professor Hellmann obtained a B.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Studies at Princeton University in 1955. In 1961, he went to Japan supported by the Ford Foundation and dedicated himself to his research on postwar Japanese foreign policy. After obtaining a M.A. in Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, he earned a Ph.D. in the same program in 1964.
In 1967, he came to work for the University of Washington (UW), where he served as the Chair of the Japan Program for his first six years at the University. He also served for two years beginning in 1970 as Director of the institute that would become the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. Throughout those years, he worked successfully for the expansion of the Japan Program. He raised money from the Ford Foundation to help launch The Journal of Japanese Studies and expanded the number of faculty positions focused on Japan. In 1973, he was instrumental in securing the contribution of Tanaka Fund money to support Japan Studies across the UW campus. This financial support enhanced both the teaching and research achievements of the Japan Program.
He has also been actively engaged in publications on Japan-related topics, and his books, academic articles, and lectures have had far-reaching impact in the field of Japan Studies in the United States and abroad. Three of his books have been translated into Japanese. His book Japanese Foreign Policy and Domestic Politics: The Peace Agreement with the Soviet Union in Japanese translation became a bestseller in its genre and was recently reprinted in English as one of the memorable books the University of California Press has ever published.
Professor Hellmann has built widespread connections with American political leaders and those in many Asian nations. He served as a policy advisor on Japan to the U.S. executive branch, Congress, and policy advisory organizations. While Director of the Japan Program at the American Enterprise Institute from 1976 through 1992, he engaged in the production of two hour-long programs focused on Japan’s role in the world, which was shown in both the U.S. and Japan by the Public Broadcasting Service and the Japan Broadcasting Corporation.
During his more than 50 years at the University of Washington, Professor Hellmann has taught over 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students, thus contributing to the training of generations of scholars in Japan Studies as well as political and business leaders.
- Decoration: Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon
- Service: Contributed in promoting academic exchanges and mutual understanding between Japan and the United States
- Major Titles:
- Professor Emeritus, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington
- Professor, Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies, University of Washington
Summary of Contributions
Professor Hellmann obtained a B.A. from the Woodrow Wilson School of International Studies at Princeton University in 1955. In 1961, he went to Japan supported by the Ford Foundation and dedicated himself to his research on postwar Japanese foreign policy. After obtaining a M.A. in Political Science at the University of California, Berkeley, he earned a Ph.D. in the same program in 1964.
In 1967, he came to work for the University of Washington (UW), where he served as the Chair of the Japan Program for his first six years at the University. He also served for two years beginning in 1970 as Director of the institute that would become the Henry M. Jackson School of International Studies. Throughout those years, he worked successfully for the expansion of the Japan Program. He raised money from the Ford Foundation to help launch The Journal of Japanese Studies and expanded the number of faculty positions focused on Japan. In 1973, he was instrumental in securing the contribution of Tanaka Fund money to support Japan Studies across the UW campus. This financial support enhanced both the teaching and research achievements of the Japan Program.
He has also been actively engaged in publications on Japan-related topics, and his books, academic articles, and lectures have had far-reaching impact in the field of Japan Studies in the United States and abroad. Three of his books have been translated into Japanese. His book Japanese Foreign Policy and Domestic Politics: The Peace Agreement with the Soviet Union in Japanese translation became a bestseller in its genre and was recently reprinted in English as one of the memorable books the University of California Press has ever published.
Professor Hellmann has built widespread connections with American political leaders and those in many Asian nations. He served as a policy advisor on Japan to the U.S. executive branch, Congress, and policy advisory organizations. While Director of the Japan Program at the American Enterprise Institute from 1976 through 1992, he engaged in the production of two hour-long programs focused on Japan’s role in the world, which was shown in both the U.S. and Japan by the Public Broadcasting Service and the Japan Broadcasting Corporation.
During his more than 50 years at the University of Washington, Professor Hellmann has taught over 2,000 undergraduate and graduate students, thus contributing to the training of generations of scholars in Japan Studies as well as political and business leaders.