High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! John Whitney Hall (September 13, 1916 – October 21, 1997), the Tokyo-born son of missionaries in Japan, grew up to become a pioneer in the field of Japanese studies and one of the most respected historians of Japan of his generation. His life work was recognized by the Japanese government. At the time he was honored with Japan`s Order of the Sacred Treasure, he was one of only a very small number of Americans to have been singled out in this way.