The Origin of Ping-Pong Diplomacy: The Forgotten Architect of Sino-U.S. Rapprochement

Japan Table Tennis Association President Goto Koji (1906-1972), the founder of Aichi Institute of Technology and Meiden High School, nurtured youth socially through sports education and used table tennis as a means of promoting international friendship and peace. The expertise Goto accumulated through his lifework as an educator and civic leader culminated in his decision to invite China to the World Table Tennis Championships in Nagoya in 1971. Notwithstanding the stalemate in the negotiations with Chinese officials on the terms of China’s participation (China linked its participation to the “two Chinas” issue), Goto’s convictions and principles earned Premier Zhou Enlai’s respect and made China’s participation possible. Were it not for Goto’s initiative, President Richard Nixon would not have visited China in 1972. After four decades of obscurity, it is high time to set the record straight and give Goto long overdue credit.