Japan Studies | Faculty

Rust Deming 
Adjunct Professor, Japan Studies

Contact Details:
rustdeming@aol.com

Course Taught:
U.S.-Japan Relations in Global Context

Education:
M.A. in East Asian Studies, Stanford University (1981); B.A., Rollins College (1964)

Expertise:
Security Issues and East Asian Politics

Current Projects:
The Reischauer Center Yearbook Project

Background:
Ambassador Rust M. Deming joined SAIS in September 2005, after a 38 year career in the Foreign Service. Amb. Deming’s last overseas post was as Ambassador to Tunisia from 2000 to 2003. Prior to that, he served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs (June 1998 to August 2000). He was Senior Advisor to the Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs from December 1997. From October 1997 to December 1997, he was the East Asian and Pacific Affairs Bureau’s Senior Advisor to the United Nations General Assembly in New York.

Amb. Deming has spent much of his career dealing with Japanese affairs, having served in Japan as Charge d’Affaires, ad interim, from December 1996 to September 1997, and as Deputy Chief of Mission from October 1993 to December 1996. From September 1991 to August 1993, Amb. Deming was Director of the Office of Japanese Affairs in Washington.  He served as Minister Counselor for Political Affairs at the American Embassy in Tokyo from August 1987 to July 1991. From 1985 to 1986, Amb. Deming was detailed to the National War College at Fort McNair in Washington, DC.

Other previous assignments include: Chief, External Political Affairs, American Embassy, Tokyo, Deputy Director, Office of Nuclear Policy, Department of State; Staff office, Office of the Secretary of State; Political Military Affairs Officer, Japan Desk, Department of State; Political Officer, American Embassy, Tokyo; Economic Officer, American Consulate General Osaka; and Political Officer, American Embassy Tunis.

Amb. Deming has been the recipient of numerous awards including Senior Performance Awards, Superior Honor Awards, the Defense Department’s Civilian Meritorious Award in 1995 and 1997, and the Secretary of State’s Career Achievement Award in 2003. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, the American Foreign Service Association, and the Stanford Alumni Association.