Japan & back - Hugh Cortazzi

Sir Hugh Cortazzi, one of Britain's most prominent post-war Ambassadors to Japan who was in Tokyo to receive Margaret Thatcher on her historic 'handbagging' visit in 1982, was never a so-called 'traditional' diplomat.Having gained entry to the Foreign Service in 1949 his diplomatic life was hardly 'conventional'; it was most certainly, at times, controversial -- from London to Bonn, to Washington (at the time of Watergate) but principally Japan where he undertook three tours of duty, the last as Ambassador, 1980-84. After retiring from the Diplomatic Service, he became a high-profile Chairman of the Japan Society in 1985, a post he held for ten years. This memoir is a real tour de force, providing the reader with an informed, critical perspective on world affairs in general, but with a particular emphasis on Japan.

Hugh Cortazzi was British Ambassador to Japan 1980-84 and Chairman of the Japan Society 1984-94. He has written extensively on Japan. His many books include Isle of Gold: Antique Maps of Japan, The Japanese Achievement and his memoir Japan and Back and Places Elsewhere. He has edited three volumes of Britain and Japan: Biographical Portraits for the Japan Society, together with British Envoys in Japan, 1859-1972. Most recently, he published his translation of Crown Prince Naruhito's account of his years in Oxford (The Thames and I, Global Oriental, 2006). He remains highly active in the field of Anglo-Japanese relations and continues with his monthly column for the Japan Times, as well as being a regular reviewer.