TOMOSABURO HIRANO MEMORIAL PAGE
We regret to inform you that Toda Institute’s Deputy Director, Mr. Tomosaburo Hirano, passed away in Tokyo on January 22, 2008 at 2:37 AM. We are eternally thankful for his many contributions to the Toda Institute for Global Peace and Policy Research over the years. He is dearly missed by all of us. We would like to invite you to prepare a short statement to be included in our online memorial. Should you wish to send your condolences to the family please direct them to our Tokyo headquarters:
15-3 Samon-cho, Shinjuku-ku
Tokyo, 160-0017 JAPAN
Tomosaburo Hirano (1943-2008). He was a member of the Board of Directors, the Deputy Director and the Research Director of the Toda Institute for Global Peace & Policy Research. He was an editorial writer for a Japanese Press for over 30 years, and also worked as a foreign correspondent by which he came into contact with and interviewed many prominent scholars in the world. In addition, he was also a recognized expert in the field of peace studies. He served as a visiting fellow at the Center for Science and International Affairs, at Harvard University in 1985, as well as a guest researcher at the International Peace Research Institute, Oslo, in 1989. He graduated from Takushoku University in Tokyo. He is survived by his wife, Atsuko, daughters Sachiko and Eiko, and son Mitsushiro.
TOMOSABURO HIRANO MEMORIAL STATEMENTS
I met Mr. Hirano in Cambridge, MA, for the first time. He was gentle and confident. He had come to ask me if I would accept the directorship of the Toda Institute, I said I would be honored. He stood by me throughout my directorship. He was always wise but never demanding. I consider it an honor to have served with him. He was an exceptional human being and will be deeply missed.
Majid Tehranian, Director
Toda Institute for Global Peace & Policy Research
I have lost a dear friend. A long time ago, when explaining to me that in Japan you use the second name more often than we do here, he added "but you may call me "Tomo.” I took it as an honor, although I usually said Tomosaburo. My heart goes out to Satoko and Majid and all those at the Toda Institute who had the honor of working with Tomosaburo Hirano. He was a good man. I will miss him a lot.
Sverre Lodgaard
Former Director, Norwegian Institute of International Affairs
On behalf of the British Pugwash Group, I would like to express our deep sadness at hearing that Mr. Tomosaburo Hirano had passed away. We had come to think of him as a good friend, and enjoyed his warmth and helpfulness when he visited the London office. Much as he will be missed in Tokyo, he will also be missed here. We send our deep sympathy to his family, his friends and his colleagues.
Robert Hinde
Chair, British Pugwash Group
It is forty years ago that I met Mr. Tomosaburo Hirano for the first time. I am so thankful for his kindness after that. I was shocked to learn of the sad news and I regret that I could not attend the funeral. From the bottom of my heart I prey that Mr. Hirano's soul may rest in peace.
Yoshikazu Sekiguchi, Ph.D.
It is with great sorrow I have received the sad news about the demise of Mr Tomosaburo Hirano. His contributions to the Toda Institute have been truly monumental. I would like to convey my condolence to the bereaved family. His life and work will always be a source of inspiration.
M. S. Swaminathan
Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha)
Chairman, M S Swaminathan Research Foundation
I first met Tomosaburo Hirano when I was invited to participate in Toda Institute's HUGG Research Project at it's Branch in Honolulu, Hawaii. I remember him as a gracious host at numerous social gatherings and information briefings at the Institute's office. I came to value highly his quiet, passionate efforts in behalf of the realization of peace and justice in human affairs. He was an inspiration and will be missed by all of us who had the opportunity to know and work with him.
Dayle Bethel
Holistic educator and Tsunesaburo Makiguchi scholar
Honolulu, Hawaii
A Tribute from Professor Stuart Rees, University of Sydney, NSW 2006, Australia
I knew 'Tommo' for ten years. He was always encouraging, supportive and often conveyed his ideas with a delightful dry sense of humour. He was totally committed to the Toda vision and to global peace. I valued his modesty, his insights and friendship. He impressed me as a superb and highly professional administrator on whom so many of us depended. I was very saddened by the news of his untimeley death. The world's peace constituency is that much poorer for Tomasaburo's passing.
Stuart Rees, Sydney, March 2008