Paul Hopkins’ letters to Boyd around New Directions combined practical considerations with a wide-ranging conversation on the state of contemporary architecture in Japan (pdf). Hopkins was unafraid to express his opinions on the local architectural scene, and his view was notably less sunny than Boyd’s.

Hopkins, a recent graduate and junior in Kenzo Tange’s office, was well attuned to the up-and-coming younger generation of Japanese architects. In his letters to Boyd he mentions many such figures, including Fumihiko Maki, Hiroshi Hara, and Arata Iskozaki. Paul Hopkins also met Frederick and Diane Romberg when they holidayed in Tokyo in May 1968.