In Remembrance of Ehud Harari

SSJJ and the wider Japanese studies community mourn the loss of an extraordinary scholar and friend, Ehud Harari, who passed away on 5 August 2023. Dr. Harari held the distinguished position of Emeritus Professor of Asian Studies and Political Science at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, and he was also the esteemed Honorary President of the Israel Association for Japanese Studies.

Dr. Harari was widely recognized for his exceptional contributions to interdisciplinary scholarship on Japanese economic policy and contemporary politics. His dedication to strengthening the bonds between Japan and Israel earned him the prestigious ‘Order of the Rising Sun: Gold and Silver Star’ in 2017.

For more than a decade, Dr. Harari served as an invaluable member of SSJJ’s International Editorial Board. During his tenure, he provided guidance on the journal’s academic direction and editorial operations, particularly in the selection of the ISS-OUP Prize, an annual award recognizing SSJJ’s best paper.

In this time of sorrow, our heartfelt condolences extend to his family, colleagues, students, and friends. Dr. Ehud Harari’s legacy will endure through his scholarly achievements and the enduring impact he had on the field of Japanese studies.