Death Of Former Ambassador To Japan Mike Mansfield

All of us in the Department of State were deeply saddened to learn of the death of former Senate Majority Leader and Ambassador to Japan Mike Mansfield. America has lost a great leader and elder statesman. American Presidents and Japanese Prime Ministers alike found his sound advice, his penetrating perceptions, and his plain-spoken manner invaluable in resolving differences and building a more solid relationship with Japan.

President Jimmy Carter appointed Senator Mansfield as the 22^nd U.S. Ambassador to Japan in April 1977. After his election in 1980, President Ronald Reagan asked Ambassador Mansfield to stay on, exemplifying the great respect he enjoyed in both political parties. During his nearly 12 year tenure as Ambassador, Mike Mansfield worked tirelessly for strong U.S.-Japan relations, but he never forgot the centrality of his mission. Once, when asked by then-Secretary of State George Shultz to point out "his country" on a globe, Ambassador Mansfield without hesitation put his finger on the United States. "This, sir, is my country", he told the Secretary.

Ambassador Mansfield's plain speech and unwavering integrity endeared him to Americans and Japanese alike. He was a great American. We will all miss him sorely.