Stepping Down

After nearly a half-century of government service, including more than 11 challenging and productive years as ambassador to Japan, Mike Mansfield has announced that he is bringing to a close what must surely be counted as one of this century’s more distinguished public careers. No American ambassador served longer in Tokyo than Mansfield, and probably none has done more to deepen U.S.-Japan relations. The inevitable frictions arising from competition between two economic giants of course remain and will persist. But the underpinnings of the fundamental relationship have grown steadily stronger. Much of the credit for that must go to the retiring ambassador.

Certainly the Japanese will miss Mansfield’s thoughtfulness and understanding, and certainly policy-makers in Washington will miss his wise and careful counsel. Mansfield didn’t often publicly criticize Japanese actions or policies; when he did, his words carried special weight. Patient and prudent, Mansfield treated the U.S.-Japan relationship not as a rivalry, where one side must lose and the other win, but as a partnership based on shared interests. That was why he was so effective and so deeply appreciated in both capitals. No ambassador can hope to leave a greater legacy.