John Nathan

John Weil Nathan (born March 1940) is an American translator, writer, scholar, filmmaker, and Japanologist. He is known for his translations from Japanese into English, including the works of Yukio Mishima, Kenzaburō Ōe, Kōbō Abe, and Natsume Sōseki. Nathan is also an Emmy Award-winning producer, writer, and director of numerous films focusing on Japanese culture, society, and American business. He currently holds the position of Professor Emeritus of Japanese Cultural Studies at the University of California, Santa Barbara. Born in New York City, Nathan spent part of his childhood in Tucson, Arizona. He graduated from Harvard College in 1961, studying under Edwin O. Reischauer. Nathan's career started by teaching English in Japan after working at Nomura Securities in New York.