MATSUDAIRA, Baron Mosanao (TOKYO), Member of House of Peers; b. Feb., 1844, at Fukui. Governor of Miyagi-ken, Kumamoto Kenand several other prefectures; twice Vice-Minister of Home Affairs; represented Japan at St. Louis Exhibiton as Vice-Chairman; cr Baroii, 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; 6. 1835, at Kagoshima, s. of a samurai of Satsuma Clan; m. 1860, d. (present countess) of a samurai of the same Clan. Educ.: Received military and literary education such as was common in the Satsuma Clan; received naval training from foreigners in Nagasaki. Served as Chamberlain to the Lord of Satsuma Clan; took part in political movement which resulted in the overthrow of Shogunate; appointed a local governor at the time of Restoration; engagedin financial administration of the central Government, and directed efforts to facilitate and encourage agricultural and industrial enterprises; had a share in carrying out the Laud 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; 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 bean 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 pasts 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 (translated into English); Notice historique sur la Reforme de 1'Impot forcier au Japan (written in French). Recreations: Collection of pictures and other artistic objects; horse-riding. Address; Mita, Jokpo, Japan.
MATSUMURA, Ninzo (TOKYO), Professor, Tokyo University; b. Oct, 1856, at Hitachi. Educ.: Germany, Professor of Imperial University, Tokyo, since 1889; Scientist and botanist. Address: Tokyo, Japan.
