She was a granddaughter of Matsukata Masayoshi, a prime minister in the Meiji era known for his liberal policies over financial affairs, and silk importer and exporter Ryoichiro Arai.

[3] She attended highschool at the American School in Japan, and in 1937 graduated from Principia College in Illinois.

[4] Matsukata returned to Japan and was there during World War II, but felt out of place because of her experience in America.

[5] Back to the United States, she took an active role as a director of the Japan America Student Conference.

She wrote an autobiography, Samurai and Silk (1986) which is centered of her grandfathers and their successful roles during Japan's Meiji period.