The next meeting of the Japan History Group (JHG) at the Institute of Social Science (ISS), University of Tokyo, will be held on Tuesday, 25th June, at 6:00 PM in Conference Room No.1(Dai-Ichi
Kaigishitsu) of
the Institute of Social Science main Building.

Presenter: Craig Nelson (Ph.D. Candidate, Ohio State
University)

Title: "The Miracle Man of Japan": Shoriki Matsutaro and Atoms for Peace.

Discussant: Takeo Kikkawa (Professor, Hitotsubashi
University)

Abstract:
Shoriki Matsutaro is widely remembered as the larger than life owner of the Yomiuri Newspaper and as a central figure in the development of Japanese baseball.
One of his most important contributions to Japanese life, however, is not nearly as well known: he was a crucial player in the adoption of nuclear power in Japan. This presentation will explore Shoriki's role in promoting and developing nuclear power, both as an influential figure in the media and as the first chairman of the Atomic Energy Commission. It will focus on Shoriki's involvement with the CIA, the Yomiuri Shimbun's sponsorship of the Tokyo Atoms for Peace exhibition, and the key decisions he made regarding the importation of the first commercial nuclear reactor to Japan. It will also address how his experience in bureaucracy, business, and the media shaped the early Japanese nuclear regime.

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Dr. Naofumi NAKAMURA
Professor of Business History
Institute of Social Science,
The University of Tokyo
naofumin[at]iss.u-tokyo.ac.jp