Muskingum News

William D. “Bill” Hoover ’63, Professor Emeritus of the University of Toledo History Department, recently authored “K.K. Kawakami and U.S.—Japan Relations: The Forty Year Road to Pearl Harbor.”

K.K. Kawakami was the most prolific journalist writing on U.S.—Japan relations during the 40 years before Pearl Harbor, describing and analyzing the interactions between his home and adopted countries. His more than 2,000 publications show a gradual decline in the two countries’ relationship from the early 20^th century until the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. The book explores his analysis, showing that both countries bear responsibility for the tragedy in Hawaii.

Bill’s teaching specialties are 19^th and 20^th century Japan and China. After graduating from Muskingum, he earned a Master of Arts degree in Japanese Studies and a Doctor of Philosophy degree in East Asian History at the University of Michigan. He credits Muskingum professors David Sturtevant and William Fisk as highly influential in his career.

He joined the University of Toledo in 1968, chairing the department for 15 years, and retiring as a full professor. Fluent in speaking and reading Japanese, Bill has traveled to the country 20 times and lived in Japan for six years.

Bill and his wife Marie ’64 reside in Toledo, Ohio, where he serves as Chairman of the Toledo-Toyohashi Sister City Committee.

“K.K. Kawakami and U.S.—Japan Relations: The Forty Year Road to Pearl Harbor” (Lexington Books, 2023) is available at amazon.com.