 During its run, "The Far East" published approximately 750 photographs, mostly of Japan and China, by at least 20 different photographers.Before J. R. Black began publication of "The Far East", he had been partner in and editor of the "Japan Herald", the first English-language newspaper in Japan.When that newspaper declared bankruptcy in 1867, Black founded his own newspaper, the "Japan Gazette", which offered coverage of the reform movements of the Bakumatsu.