Guido H. F. Verbeck
Samurai of the Saga Clan, government official, statesman. Born in Saga. His father was a samurai of the Saga Clan and a scholar of National Learning (kokugaku). After serving as an instructor at the clan-built school Chienkan, he studied under Guido H. F. Verbeck and mastered English studies. After the Meiji Restoration, he served in the new government and drafted "Seitai-sho" (Form of Government) with Takachika Fukuoka. In 1871, he assumed the office of foreign minister and engaged in the negotiations over the Maria Luz Incident. In 1873, he lost in the controversy over the Seikanron (conquer Korea debate) and resigned from public office. In the following year, he joined in establishing the Aikoku Koto (Public Party of Patriots) and with Taisuke Itagaki and Shojiro Goto and others, submitted a memorandum calling for the establishment of a popularly elected parliament to the government. Later he served in the Imperial court as a court councillor, privy councillor, and vice-chairman of the Privy Council. He also served as home minister in the first Matsukata cabinet.