Farmers Weekly Review

By Sandy Vasko

It started out as a rumor when “suits” started visiting Will County. People with electronic equipment were seen buzzing around here and there with light meters and audio testers. People of obviously foreign descent were flying into Chicago and renting autos to drive to Will County.

What in the world could be going on? On Oct. 7, 1975, the world found out what some farmers in Will County had known all along: Emperor Hirohito of Japan was on his way to Troy Township,

In 1973, Donald Baltz and his family were contacted by the United States State Department. They asked if the Donald and his son would serve as hosts during an official state visit by the 82-year-old Emperor of Japan. Hirohito had expressed a wish to see a typical American farm.

The Baltz farms were selected because they were within an hour’s drive of O’Hare, and they had adequate accommodations for the large party of officials, guests and media that would descend like locusts on the farms.

At the time, Donald Baltz farmed about 750 acres, while his son John farmed 1,700 acres. The farms were located on Route 52, seven miles west of Joliet.

Starting the day before the visit, media from around the world started filming a “typical” day in the life of an American farm family. From Japan, NET and NHK networks set up cameras from 7:30 a.m. until 11 p.m. They shot typical meals, getting the kids on the bus, harvesting corn and even watching TV.

Reporters asked if they would serve the emperor coffee, why they were chosen, the names and ages of the four children, etc. Marianne complained, “They tell us to act natural. How do you act natural at a time like that?”

Although the family were briefed on what to wear, they weren’t worried if they’d impress the dignitaries. “He’s coming to see a typical American farmer and his farm, and that’s what he’s going to see!” quipped John.

Bob Coffman wrote for the Farm Journal, “Under extreme security, Emperor Hirohito of Japan got to see an American farm – sort of. By the time his eyes focused, his whirlwind visit in Will County was almost over. He saw corn and soybean harvesting, baby pigs and feeder cattle as fast as his arthritic old legs would carry him; engulfed in a sea of security men and translators, he couldn’t have seen much.

“Arm-in-arm, farmer Donald and Emperor Hirohito walked under the mellow autumn sun and seemed to hit it off quite well. In fact, Hirohito was so engrossed in conversation with Donald that Agriculture Secretary Earl Butz took him by the shoulders and turned his attention to the soybean combining.

“All was pomp and circumstance until His Majesty was invited to “climb aboard” the combine. Shedding all imperial dignity, he clambered into the cab – to sitteth on the throne of the American farmer.

“As I watched the man in whose name World War II was begun, chatting amiably with a former American soldier, I couldn’t help thinking: ‘And they shall beat their swords into plowshares.’

Hirohito’s visit to the United States in 1975 was the first time any Japanese ruler had set foot on American soil. He was invited by President Ford, when Ford visited Japan the previous year. A week later, the summary of the visit was printed in the Joliet Herald:

“Will County may never again see such an array of security people as accompanied Emperor Hirohito of Japan. Reason? First, there is the trend of violence in recent years against important personages. Second, American security was augmented by Japanese agents who accompany the Emperor everywhere he goes. So, at the Baltz farms there was heard an array of walkie-talkie messages from cars in the procession, both in Japanese and English.

“There were some 150 press and television representatives with all major television channels represented; along with 75 press people from Japan.”

Sandy Vasko is Director of the Will County Historical Museum & Research Center and President of the Will County Historical Society.