THIS IS THE fifteenth volume of books about Japan and Britain, which have been published for or in association with the Japan Society in the last twenty-five years. In one way or another, I have been involved with all of them either as editor and compiler or as a contributor. More importantly, all of these volumes are the result of a joint enterprise and have been totally dependent on contributors coming forward willing to find time for the necessary research and write up their subjects without reward.

Accordingly, my thanks are due first and foremost to the contributors who have given so freely of their time and energy. This volume, therefore, is justly dedicated to all those whose writings over the last quarter of a century have made this series possible.

I would also like to express my great appreciation to the Japan Society for the sustained backing and support it has given to the publication of these volumes, and in particular, most recently, to Sir David Warren, the current chairman, whose encouragement and assistance in the compilation and editing of this volume has been much appreciated .

I am also indebted to my fellow editors: Ian Nish who edited volumes I and II of Biographical Portraits, Japanese Envoys in Britain and co-edited British Envoys in Japan, Jim Hoare who edited volume III of Biographical Portraits and co-edited British Envoys in Japan, and Gordon Daniels who co-edited Britain and Japan, 1859–1991, Themes and Personalities. Furthermore, all three have contributed a number of valuable chapters to the series, as well as giving me much useful advice and help along the way. I also wish to record special thanks to Stephen McEnally of the Great Britain Sasakawa Foundation for his commitment to and belief in this enterprise and to the Foundation for their generous financial support over the years. Finally, I must thank Paul Norbury and his staff for the very considerable work involved in the production and publication of these volumes.

In all, some six hundred ‘portraits’ have been published (I interpret ‘portraits’ loosley to include themes and organizations). The result is a unique record of people, firms and other bodies who in ways great and small have contributed to the quality and enduring value of our bilateral relationship. I do not know of any similar series in any other country covering a bilateral relationship.