Keishiro Matsui
Encyclopedia
was a Japanese statesman and diplomat.
, and a graduate of the Law School of Tokyo Imperial University in 1889. He entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
the same year. In 1890, he was assigned to the Japanese embassy in Seoul
, Korea
, and in 1895 was assigned to the Japanese embassy in the United States. In 1898, he was promoted to the position of First Secretary at the Japanese Embassy in London, United Kingdom. In 1902, he was re-assigned to the Japanese embassy in Beijing
, China, returning to Japan in 1913.
During the First World War, served as Japanese Ambassador to France and was a plenipotentiary
at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference
. On the successful completion of this mission, he was awarded with the title of baron
(danshaku) under the kazoku
peerage system. He served as Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs from January 7 to June 11, 1924 under the administration of Kiyoura Keigo
and was also appointed a member of the House of Peers
in the Diet of Japan
. He later served as Ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1925-1928. In 1938, he became a member of the Privy Council
.
Biography
Matsui was a native of Osaka PrefectureOsaka Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshū, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto area.- History :...
, and a graduate of the Law School of Tokyo Imperial University in 1889. He entered the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Japan)
The is a cabinet level ministry of Japan responsible for the country's foreign relations.The ministry is due to the second term of the third article of the National Government Organization Act , and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs Establishment Act establishes the ministry...
the same year. In 1890, he was assigned to the Japanese embassy in Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
, and in 1895 was assigned to the Japanese embassy in the United States. In 1898, he was promoted to the position of First Secretary at the Japanese Embassy in London, United Kingdom. In 1902, he was re-assigned to the Japanese embassy in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, China, returning to Japan in 1913.
During the First World War, served as Japanese Ambassador to France and was a plenipotentiary
Plenipotentiary
The word plenipotentiary has two meanings. As a noun, it refers to a person who has "full powers." In particular, the term commonly refers to a diplomat fully authorized to represent his government as a prerogative...
at the 1919 Paris Peace Conference
Paris Peace Conference, 1919
The Paris Peace Conference was the meeting of the Allied victors following the end of World War I to set the peace terms for the defeated Central Powers following the armistices of 1918. It took place in Paris in 1919 and involved diplomats from more than 32 countries and nationalities...
. On the successful completion of this mission, he was awarded with the title of baron
Baron
Baron is a title of nobility. The word baron comes from Old French baron, itself from Old High German and Latin baro meaning " man, warrior"; it merged with cognate Old English beorn meaning "nobleman"...
(danshaku) under the kazoku
Kazoku
The was the hereditary peerage of the Empire of Japan that existed between 1869 and 1947.-Origins:Following the Meiji Restoration of 1868, the ancient court nobility of Kyoto regained some of its lost status...
peerage system. He served as Japanese Minister of Foreign Affairs from January 7 to June 11, 1924 under the administration of Kiyoura Keigo
Kiyoura Keigo
was a Japanese politician. He was the 23rd Prime Minister of Japan from 7 January 1924 to 11 June 1924, during the period which historians have called the “Taisho Democracy”.- Early life :...
and was also appointed a member of the House of Peers
House of Peers (Japan)
The ' was the upper house of the Imperial Diet as mandated under the Constitution of the Empire of Japan ....
in the Diet of Japan
Diet of Japan
The is Japan's bicameral legislature. It is composed of a lower house, called the House of Representatives, and an upper house, called the House of Councillors. Both houses of the Diet are directly elected under a parallel voting system. In addition to passing laws, the Diet is formally...
. He later served as Ambassador to the United Kingdom in 1925-1928. In 1938, he became a member of the Privy Council
Privy Council (Japan)
was an advisory council to the Emperor of Japan that operated from 1888 to 1947.-Functions:Modeled in part upon the Privy Council of the United Kingdom, this body advised the throne on matters of grave importance including:...
.
For further reading
- Obituary in the New York Times