On the morning of 14 November 2019, Hokkaido University Professor Emeritus Kimura Hiroshi, who for many years had performed distinguished service for our Center, passed away. Known as “Mr. SRC” during the period when he served as the public face of our Center, he was also the leading member of the academic profession on Japan’s foreign policy towards Russia. Professor Kimura was known for his research and proposals on the “Northern Territories” issue and had no little influence on Japan’s foreign policy decisions. Regarding Russia’s relations with China and the US, he was no less erudite. His work on diplomacy took into special consideration matters regarding negotiations. Recently, Professor Kimura had devoted much time and many publications to Putin’s policies. His prolific career continues to inspire us all.

　Professor Kimura’s funeral was held on November 17 near his home in Nishinomiya with the funeral oration given by his close friend of many years Professor Hakamada Shigeki. The Center was represented by Deputy Director Tabata Shinichiro who participated in person, with flowers and telegrams arriving from Hokkaido University Board Member and Vice President Kasahara Masanori and other members of the SRC. Professor Kimura made a big contribution to the SRC’s development both domestically and internationally during the 1970s and 1980s by spending the best years of his career from the 30s to the 50s in Sapporo. It is this accomplishment and its lasting results that are most with us in our daily work at the SRC. Together we express our condolences to the family and our prayers for Professor Kimura’s eternal rest.

Tabata Shinichiro, Iwashita Akihiro, David Wolff