Remembering James E Auer: A Legacy of Strengthening Japan-US Relations

WASHINGTON ー James E Auer was an esteemed Japan expert and former Special Assistant for Japan in the Office of the United States Secretary of Defense. A distinguished Professor Emeritus at Vanderbilt University in the US, Dr Auer was also one of the earliest champions of JAPAN Forward. He was additionally a valued member of Seiron, whose articles appear in The Sankei Shimbun's monthly magazine and newspaper column of the same name. 

On May 16, Dr Auer passed away in Nashville, Tennessee. He was 82. 

Posted in Japan during his tenure with the US Navy, Dr Auer cultivated extensive Japanese connections and acquired vast experience. Leveraging these, he consistently provided pragmatic suggestions for enhancing Japan-US security relations. Additionally, he dedicated himself to developing human resources to strengthen Japan-US ties.

From Minnesota to the MSDF

Auer was born in 1941 in Minnesota, in the heart of the American Midwest. After graduating from Marquette University, he joined the US Navy. Stationed at a naval base in Sasebo, Nagasaki Prefecture, Auer formed deep bonds with Japan. Later, he furthered his education at the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force Command and Staff College. 

From 1979, Auer served as Special Assistant for Japan in the Office of the Secretary of Defense. In this official capacity, he actively advocated for strengthening the Japan-US alliance during the Reagan administration.

It was also during this time that he obtained a doctoral degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He researched Japan's maritime force reconstruction from the Imperial Japanese Navy's postwar dissolution to the establishment of the Maritime Self-Defense Force (MSDF). His work also included interviews with former naval officers. He compiled his findings into a thesis, later translated and published by Jiji Press as Yomigaeru Nihon Kaigun (Resurgence of the Japanese Navy).

Fostering Change and the Next Generation 

From 1989 he served as a professor at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. That same year, he began writing for Seiron and championing proactive measures to strengthen the Japan-US security alliance. 

Dr Auer consistently advocated for Japan to make early political decisions regarding the exercise of collective self-defense. This anticipation stemmed from significant shifts in East Asian security dynamics, such as North Korea's nuclear program and China's military expansion.

As founding director of Vanderbilt's Center for US-Japan Studies and Cooperation, he also spearheaded efforts to enhance Japan-US relations at the grassroots level. This included hosting young Japanese professionals and organizing research meetings. 

In 2009, Dr Auer accepted the Order of the Rising Sun, Gold Rays with Neck Ribbon. Additionally, he became the first non-Japanese recipient of the Seiron Award in 2016. 

Stories to follow in the coming days: A deeper perspective on Dr Auer's life and significance to this publication, as well as reaction from some of the many in Japan whose professional lives were touched by his encouragement. 

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(Read the obituary in Japanese.)

Author: Hiroo Watanabe