SPECIAL STUDIES | BIOGRAPHY

Arthur J. Alexander, Ph.D.

Dr. Arthur J. Alexander is the Mitsui adjunct professor on Japan at Georgetown University and a professional lecturer at Johns Hopkins University's Paul H. Nitze School of Advanced International Studies. His experience includes ten years as president of an internationally recognized research institution specializing in Japanese economics, staff member of a leading think tank, advisor and consultant to a wide range of industry and government clients. He has also taught at major universities and has been published in academic journals, magazines, and newspapers. His book on the Japanese economy, In the Shadow of the Miracle, was published by Lexington Books in 2002; and his most recent book, The Arc of Japan's Economic Development, was published by Routledge (London) in November 2007.

Dr. Alexander joined the Japan Economic Institute in Washington, D.C. as its president in 1990. At JEI he conducted research on the Japanese economy, industry, technology, and innovation. JEI, a nonprofit research organization supported in part by Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, ceased active operations at the end of 2000. In 2001, Dr. Alexander received an award from the Japanese Foreign Ministry for “distinguished service” promoting understanding of Japan.

Dr. Alexander has conducted research directly for the Japanese government and for private companies. He has testified often before the U.S. congress on Japanese and other economic issues. Although he has focused on Japan studies, Dr. Alexander also has published research on the Korean economy.

Dr. Alexander graduated from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 1958 with a BS degree in engineering and industrial management. Following service in the U.S. Army, he worked for the IBM Corp. as a systems analyst. He then received a M.Sc. degree in economics from the London School of Economics in 1966 and a Ph.D. in economics from the Johns Hopkins University in 1968.

From 1968 to 1990, Dr. Alexander was a member of the research staff of the Rand Corporation in Santa Monica, California and was the associate head of its economics department from 1977 to 1985. At Rand, he specialized in a wide range of subjects, including Soviet affairs, research and development, weapons acquisition policies, and defense decision making. Dr. Alexander turned to Japanese issues in the 1980s, including studies on trade in services, legal markets, innovation, and defense industry.

In 1976-1977, Dr. Alexander was a research associate at the International Institute for Strategic Studies in London. He was a member of the U.S. Army Science Board for five years, chairing studies on policy analysis, weapons acquisition, and labor requirements. Dr. Alexander was also a member of the faculty and advisory board of the Rand Graduate School and a visiting professor at UCLA.