WHO'S WHO IN THE FAR EAST (June) 1906-7.
MATSUDAIRA, Baron Mosanao
(TOKYO), Member of House of Peers; b. Feb., 1844, at Fukui. Governor of Miyagi-ken, Kuma- moto-Ken and several other prefectures; twice Vice-Minister of Home Affairs; represented Japan
at St. Lonis Exhibiton as Vice- Chairman; cr Baron, 1900. Address: Tokyo, Japan.
MATSUKATA, Count Masayoshi,
(TOKYO), G.C.M.G., D.C.L., Oxford; President of Red Cross Society of Japan, and Privy Councillor; b. 1835, at Kagoshima, s. of a samurai of Satsuma Clau; nt. 1860, d. (present countess) of a samurai of the same Clan. Educ.: Received military and literary education such as was common in the Satṣuma Clan; received naval training from foreigners in Nagasaki. Served as Chamberlain to the Lord of Satsuma
Clan; took part in political move-
ment which resulted in the over-
throw of Shogunate; appointed a local governor at the time of Res- toration; engaged in financial administration of the central Government, and directed efforts to facilitate and encourage agricul- tural and industrial enterprises;
had a share in carrying out the Land Tax Reform; visited Europe
as President of Japanese Section of the Paris Exposition of 1878; appointed Minister of Home Affairs, 1880; Minister of Finance, 1881; the redemption of inconvertible notes was the most important work accomplished during more than ten years' service as Minister of
Finance; was created Count, 1884;
Mat
Prime Minister (continuing at the
same time to hold the portfolio of Finance), 1891-1892; again appointed Minister of Finance, 1895, but resigned soon afterwards; Prime
Minister and Minister of Finance
1896; resigned, 1898; Minister
of Finance from Oct., 1898, to Oct., 1900; post-bellum financial administration and the adoption
of the gold standard (for which has been mainly responsible) have been the most important incidents in the internal history of Japan in recent years; visited Europe and America, 1902; Hon. D. C. L. Oxford, 1902; both of
present positions since 1903: accorded by the Emperor the same consideration as Prime Minister of
State, in recognition of past
services. Publications: Report on the Adjustment of Paper Currency (in Japanese); History of National Debts in Japan (translated into English); Report on the Adoption of the Gold Standard in Japan
(translated into English); Report on the post-bellum Financial Administration in Japan (trans- lated into English); Notice histori- que sur la Reforme de l'Impot forcier au Japan (written in French). Recreations: Collection of pictures and other artistic objects; horse-riding. Address: Mita, Jokpo, Japan.
•
MATSUMURA, Ninzo (TOKYO), Pro-
fessor, Tokyo University; b. Oct. 1856, at Hitachi. Educ.: Germany. Profeseor of Imperial University, Tokyo, since 1889; Scientist and botanist. Address: Tokyo, Japan
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