International journalist and media personality Morley Robertson has died from esophageal cancer at age 63, his talent agency announced. The U.S.-born figure gained fame in Japan for his sophisticated speaking style on radio and television programs.
Morley Robertson, a U.S.-born international journalist, passed away on Thursday from esophageal cancer, with his talent agency confirming the news on Sunday. He was 63 years old.
Robertson spent part of his childhood in Hiroshima Prefecture. After dropping out of the University of Tokyo, he enrolled at Harvard University to study electronic music. In Japan, he rose to prominence as a radio personality on broadcaster J-Wave's program "Across the View," where his sophisticated speaking style captivated audiences. He also appeared as a commentator on various television shows.
One of his notable roles was portraying U.S. naval officer Matthew Perry in the 2021 NHK drama series "Reach Beyond the Blue Sky," which depicted the end of Japan's isolationist policy during the late Edo period (1603-1868).
Robertson had published several written works throughout his career. His death marks the loss of a unique voice in Japanese media, remembered for bridging international perspectives with local audiences.
