Okubo+Toshimichi+–+Jeong+Min+Park,+William+Lee

=**Okubo Toshimichi** (1830 - 1878)=



Diplomacy first, military second.
====With "steely implacable will," (Borthwick, 124) Okubo Toshimichi was devoted to establishing the Meiji state and making Japan independent. He believed that Japan should learn from the advanced Western nations, but also saw them as a threat to Japan's independence. He wanted to restore peace and stability in Japan before colonising other countries. In foreign policies, he preferred diplomatic approaches to military actions. This principle guided the major decisions regarding foreign policies in the Meiji State.====

**Major events**

 * ====Born in Satsuma into a lower-class samurai family in 1830.====
 * ====Junior Councillor in 1868.====
 * Led the Iwakura Mission to the US and Europe.
 * ====State minister in the Finance Ministry (1871-1873).====
 * Against military action in Korea (1873) "most mature consideration and forethought is essential in order to...protect the land and its people."
 * ====State minister in the Home Ministry (1873-1874).====
 * ====During his office, he was also a State Councillor, making him de facto prime minister.====

Works Cited