Mutsu Munemitsu

Mutsu Munemitsu (陸奥 宗光 Mutsu Munemitsu, 1844-97) was a Japanese politician and diplomat who was a foreign minister in Ito Hirobumi's cabinet in 1892. He was born in Wakayama.

Related Topics:
1844 - 97 - Japan - Ito Hirobumi - 1892

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A vehement opponent of clan government that is, usurpation of administrative posts by men of two or three fiefs, an abuse which threatened to follow the overthrow of the Tokugawa Shogunate, he conspired to assist Saigo's rebellion and was imprisoned from 1878 until 1883. While in prison he translated Jeremy Bentham's Utilitarianism.

Related Topics:
Tokugawa Shogunate - Jeremy Bentham - Utilitarianism

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He played an important role in the diplomacy of Sino-Japanese war, negotiating the Treaty of Shimonoseki in April 1895 with Ito. He wrote his personal diplomatic memoir Kenkenroku(蹇蹇録) after the treaty was signed to explain his views and actions.

Related Topics:
Sino-Japanese war - Treaty of Shimonoseki

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