See Also: okubo Toshimichi(encyclopedia)

okubo Toshimichi (sh)




born Sept. 26, 1830, Kagoshima, Japan
died May 14, 1878, Tokyo

Japanese samurai leader from the domain of Satsuma who, with Saigo Takamori, arranged an alliance with the domain of Chosh¨± to work for the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate (see Tokugawa period) and the restoration of the emperor as head of government.

After the Meiji Restoration of 1868, okubo became a dominant figure in the new government. He traveled to the West and returned convinced that Japan needed rapid economic development and modernization to survive. He supported the establishment of technical schools, loans to private businesses, and government-sponsored factory development. In 1873 he argued against those who favoured invading Korea and prevailed. He was assassinated in 1878 by discontented samurai. See also Kido Takayoshi; Meiji period.