On April 8, 2019 international politics scholar and former University of the Ryukyu’s professor, Seigen Miyazto, passed away.

Until recently Professor Miyazato tackled research regarding US-Japan relations and Okinawa’s military base issues through the Society for the Study of Okinawa’s International Issues, which he established with Professor Masaaki Gabe of RIIS and other researchers.

Additionally, in order to help support the development of research regarding the United States at the University of the Ryukyus, Professor Miyazato made a sizeable donation to RIIS a few years ago. The donated funds, currently in the Seigen Miyazato Endowment, are being utilized for American Studies and the study of Japan-U.S. relations.

We of RIIS would like to reaffirm our appreciation to Professor Miyazato for his support of our research and offer our deepest sympathies to all affected by Professor Miyazato’s passing.