By: Hirofumi Nakasone - Ronald Reagan: An Essay on the Legacy of an American Icon

Member of the House of Councillors of Japan, Former Minister for Foreign Affairs,

President of the Japan-US Parliamentary Friendship League

“Ron” and “Yasu”

Before his passing, my father, Yasuhiro Nakasone, would talk about President Ronald Reagan’s exceptional statesmanship, calling him a “born commander in chief.” He noted also, borrowing the words of the eminent German statesman Otto von Bismarck, that if “politics is the art of the possible,” President Reagan was a master artist in his own right. He also used to say that President Reagan was a statesman with abundant charm who convinced, inspired, and uplifted people with his vision and intuition.

Immediately after my father became Prime Minister of Japan, on his first visit to the United States in January 1983, he proposed a strategy for working together at the upcoming Williamsburg Summit scheduled for May of that year. Using a baseball analogy, he suggested to President Reagan, “I’ll play the role of catcher, and you play pitcher.” This collaboration, with the two of them working in unison, guided the Summit to a historic success.?

At the Summit, the Soviet Union’s deployment of intermediate-range ballistic nuclear SS-20 missiles to Europe became the main subject for discussion, leading to conflicting opinions among the leaders of the Summit participant countries regarding whether or not the United States should deploy Pershing II missiles. President Reagan, who chaired the meeting, appealed for unity among the participants with his enthusiastic persuasion together with the strong support of my father. As a result, it was possible to proclaim the unwavering commitment of the Summit member countries in a political statement. It could be said that this development served as encouragement for Eastern European satellite countries to pursue action toward full independence and became a turning point leading to the collapse of the Soviet Union.?

I believe that my father took satisfaction in the success of the Summit as a significant achievement in his political career.? ?

When President Reagan came to Japan on an official state visit in 1983, my father invited the President and Mrs. Reagan to Hinode Sanso, his small mountain cottage on the outskirts of Tokyo where they were welcomed by the entire town of Hinode. The President and First Lady enjoyed tea served by my father personally in the traditional manner and customs of the tea ceremony, giving them an opportunity to experience the charm of Japan. The two leaders, who spoke to each other using the nicknames “Ron” and “Yasu,” worked together on various international political occasions, but they also spent time together in private moments which must have further solidified the friendship and trust between them as individuals, beyond their positions as heads of state. For me, as the Prime Minister’s secretary closely observing the two of them from the sidelines, the meeting was a deeply impressive experience. Today, the cottage where the meeting took place is open to the public. The Hinode Sanso Yasuhiro Nakasone – Ronald Reagan U.S.-Japan Summit Meeting Memorial Hall, also known as the “Ron – Yasu Memorial Hall,” is visited by many people.?

In the midst of the Cold War, when Mikhail Gorbachev became president of the Soviet Union and international politics was undergoing major changes, the approach of the leaders of Japan and the United States, seeking to forge a new era with their mutual friendship, will certainly be deeply engraved in our memory and be marked as a historical event. President Reagan, with his exceptional talent, leadership, and remarkable sense of humor, overcame multiple challenges and left an indelible mark on history.?

As a member of the House of Councillors of Japan involved in politics, I often wonder how President Reagan would navigate the current turbulent era if he were here.?

It has been 20 years since President Reagan was called to heaven. Taking this opportunity to remember him together, we can learn much from his leadership and accomplishments over the course of his historic presidency. His record of successes will surely serve as a milestone and inspiration for us living in the present.

Once again, with profound respect for President Ronald Reagan and his achievements, I express heartfelt gratitude for his deep friendship with my father Nakasone Yasuhiro and pray for his peaceful repose.