Michio Morishima

Quick Facts: Who was Michio Morishima?

Subject:

Michio Morishima

Known for:

Japanese heterodox economist and public intellectual known for synthesizing Marx, Ricardo, and Walras.

Born:

1923-07-18

Died:

2004-07-13

Century / Era:

1923s Historical Era Archive

Verified Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Primary Historical Archives

Origins & Early Life

Michio Morishima (森嶋 通夫, Morishima Michio; July 18, 1923 – July 13, 2004) was a Japanese heterodox economist and public intellectual who was the Sir John Hicks Professor of Economics at the London School of Economics from 1970 to 1988. He was also professor at Osaka University and member of the British Academy. In 1976 he won the Order of Culture (文化勲章, Bunka-kunshō). Originally desiring a career as a historical novelist, at university Morishima pursued social science, studying both economics and sociology under Yasuma Takada. At Kyoto University, Morishima was rigorously trained in both mainstream neoclassical economic theory and Marxian economics.

Career & Major Achievements

Mathematically gifted, in 1946, he graduated from Kyoto University and taught there in addition to Osaka University. He started Institute of Social and Economic Research (ISER) of Osaka University with Yasuma Takada. In 1960 he established with Nobel-laureate Lawrence R. Klein from the Economics Department of the University of Pennsylvania the International Economic Review (today published by Penn), which grew to become one of the leading journals in economics in the world. In 1965, he became the first Japanese president of the Econometric Society. By all accounts, John Hicks was a committed advocate of Morishima's career in England.

Enduring Legacy & Impact

In 1968, he immigrated to Britain, teaching at University of Essex, then accepting an endowed chair at the LSE in 1970. Later, he started the project that led to the establishment of the Suntory-Toyota Foundation and the Suntory and Toyota International Centres for Economic and Related Disciplines (STICERD) at LSE. He was STICERD's first chairman. In 1991 he was elected Honorary Fellow of the LSE. Morishima's three-volume work reinterpreting and synthesizing economic ideas in the major writings of David Ricardo, Karl Marx, and Léon Walras, represents one of the high points of the radical political economy of the 1970s New Left in North America.

Chronological Milestones & Life Events

1. 1923 (1923-07-18): Birth of Michio Morishima — Japanese heterodox economist and public intellectual known for synthesizing Marx, Ricardo, and Walras.
2. 1946: 1946 Milestone — Mathematically gifted, in 1946, he graduated from Kyoto University and taught there in addition to Osaka University.
3. 1960: 1960 Milestone — In 1960 he established with Nobel-laureate Lawrence R.
4. 1965: 1965 Milestone — In 1965, he became the first Japanese president of the Econometric Society.
5. 1968: 1968 Milestone — In 1968, he immigrated to Britain, teaching at University of Essex, then accepting an endowed chair at the LSE in 1970.
6. 1976: 1976 Milestone — In 1976 he won the Order of Culture (文化勲章, Bunka-kunshō).
7. 1991: 1991 Milestone — In 1991 he was elected Honorary Fellow of the LSE.
8. 2004 (2004-07-13): Passing & Historical Legacy — Michio Morishima passed away on 2004-07-13, leaving an enduring historical legacy.

Historical Fact-Check Quiz: Michio Morishima

True or False: “Morishima's early academic focus was solely on neoclassical economic theory.”

Answer (FALSE ❌): He received rigorous training in both mainstream neoclassical economic theory and Marxian economics at Kyoto University.

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• 1923 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1923
• July 18 (07-18) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 18
• 2004 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 2004
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Frequently Asked Questions about Michio Morishima