10 Facts About Saburo Okita

Saburo Okita was a Japanese economist and politician noted for his role in the postwar development of the Japanese economy and Japan-US relations.

Saburo Okita graduated from Tokyo Imperial University, and later earned a PhD from Nagoya University in 1962.

In 1937, Saburo Okita worked as an engineer with the Ministry of Posts.

In 1964, Saburo Okita became the president of the Japan Center for Economic Research, and later served as its chairman from 1973 to 1979.

Saburo Okita was the only academic to serve in this normally political role, and was noted for shifting away from bilateralism toward multilateralism, as well as strengthening Japan's role in international diplomacy and disputes.

Saburo Okita subsequently held other positions including President Of International University of Japan and as an advisor to the ministry of foreign affairs in 1982, and in 1989, as chairman of the Institute for Domestic and Policy Studies in Tokyo.

Saburo Okita served as the international chair of the Pacific Economic Cooperation Council from 1986 to 1988.

In 1986, Saburo Okita proposed a Japanese version of the Marshall Plan to support developing countries using Japan's internationally criticized trade surplus.

Saburo Okita received the Ramon Magsaysay Award in 1971 for International Understanding.

Saburo Okita was awarded the Indira Gandhi Prize in 1992.