Slave in America Turned to be Prime Minister in Japan
According to WIKIPEDIA, Korekiyo Takahashi “studied English and American culture in a private school of Hepburn (in Japan). He went abroad with a son of Katsu Kaishu and studied in London.” But it is not correct. He was sold into slavery in California in late 1860’s.
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In 1921, when then Prime Minister of Imperial Japan Hara Takashi was assassinated, Korekiyo Takahashi was appointed prime minister, but his cabinet was short-lived.
In 1936, when Takahashi came back to the power to become the minister of finance, he and other ministers were assassinated by rebelling military officers. This terror called February 26 Incident suffocated yet-fragile democracy and led to ultimate militarism before WWII in Japan.
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When he was 14 years old, Japan was still governed by the samurai regime of Tokugawa shogunate. At the time, the Sendai Clan Takahashi’s family served decided to send some young men to the U.S. for education; Korekiyo Takahashi was among those chosen by the Clan.
But a contracted American caretaker of those young Japanese betrayed them. Korekiyo Takahashi was sold to an old couple in California as a slave. It was when he was resold to another family that Korekiyo Takahashi realized that he had been enslaved by a false contract on which he had been forced to sign almost blindly.
Anyway, other samurais in California of his Clan paid requested but unjustified money (it was after the Civil War in the U.S.) to the new owner of Korekiyo Takahashi in order to release the brave but poor boy from slavery.
This incident occurred around 1868 when the samurai regime in Japan collapsed through a civil war.
Later in Imperial Japan’s government, this once-enslaved boy became prime minister as above told. He also served the government as an excellent finance minister, which has made him a very illustrious figure even today.
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The victory of Japan in the Japanese-Russo War (1904 to 1905) had far-reaching effect. It was the first victory of an Asian country over a white and Christian country in modern history. Leaders in China, India, and Turkey, which then occupied Arab lands, were all amazed.
Before and during the Japanese-Russo War, Korekiyo Takahashi was a representative of Imperial Japan, in charge of raising funds for the war by issuing government bonds of Imperial Japan.
He was busy traveling to New York, London, and Paris, meeting top leaders of the world, such as the King of England, the Rothschilds in England and Europe, and other financial giants in America and Europe.
And, it is well known that a certain Jewish financial magnate contributed to Imperial Japan’s fund procurement for the Japanese-Russo War. The American Jew supported Korekiyo Takahashi so as to help other Jews suffering under the reign of the czar of Russia.
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One day when Korekiyo Takahashi was on board across the Atlantic Ocean in the middle of his mission, an actress spoke to him. She asked if he knew anything about a secret of Japanese actresses or actors whose face turned to pale when playing a dying woman or man.
Korekiyo Takahashi said he did not know any clues. The Western actress said to him, “I don’t believe you. You, too, are making it secret. Such a Japanese actress should use a kind of medicaments.”
“I don’t think so; it must be a psychological effect,” answered Korekiyo Takahashi.
Korekiyo Takahashi should have many memories on his trips abroad. But, this incident is one of those he particularly put in his memoir.
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I suspect that Korekiyo Takahashi thought that the actress on board spoke to him because she was in some financial troubles while being aware that he was a high-ranking officer in the finance sector of Imperial Japan. She might have wanted a kind of hospitality from him.
Though his memoir was written decades before his tragic death in terror, I have a feeling, the actress might play a role of an oracle to him. Otherwise, she should have talked about a more pleasant issue.
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Even today, a Japanese minister compared to, or even with, Korekiyo Takahashi should swell with pride.
However, it is act of God that a salve boy in California in the late 19th century became prime minister of Japan in the early 20th century.
Only such a man should be allowed to raise funds for a war. What’s more the death of such a man only could be used to tell the nation that something truly horrible is coming in an atomic-bomb scale.
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Are there any ex-slaves among leaders in the current world? If not, no money should be raised for war.
“WHEN GOD JUDGES THE SECRET THOUGHT OF ALL”