Richard Mason graduated from Cambridge University. He received his Ph.D. from the Australian National University where he subsequently lectured on Japanese history as a member of the Faculty of Asian Studies for over thirty years. Dr. Mason is also the author of Japan's First General Election (Cambridge University Press, 1969). Now retired, he continues to live and work in Canberra. John Caiger was born in Japan, graduated from Sydney University,and studied history at the University of London. He earned his Ph.D. from the Australian National University before joining its Faculty of Asian Studies where he has lectured since 1966.