Founded in 1900. As a School of Taiwanese Society, Takuseku University was at that time the only educational institution in Japan and in all of Asia specifically focused on the study of the Asia-Pacific region. The founder of our university, Katsura Taro, and its third rector, Goto Simpei, were well aware of the role of Russia, first imperial, then Soviet, as a part of Asia and sincerely wanted to establish friendly relations with it, the importance of which they appreciated very much. Therefore, for a correct understanding of the path taken by our university over a century, the study of its relations with Russia is of particular importance. This year marks the centenary of the Russo-Japanese War. As you know, Katsura Taro was then the Prime Minister of Japan and fought with Russia. A professional soldier, Katsura naturally saw Imperial Russia as an enemy during the war. But immediately after the conclusion of the peace treaty, he realized the need for cooperation and friendly relations with the country that is Japan's closest neighbor. After the Russo-Japanese war, Katsura headed the government twice more and in this post made a lot of efforts to improve and develop Japanese-Russian relations. Goto Simpei, a close associate of famous Meiji statesmen Ito Hirobumi, Yamagata Aritomo, and finally Katsura, has also always stressed the importance and necessity of friendly relations between our countries. After the Russo-Japanese war, Goto-as the first president of the South Manchurian Railway Company, and then Minister of Railways in the second and third Katsura cabinets - proposed a specific program of measures to develop cooperation between Japan and Russia in the field of economy, foreign trade and transport, but these proposals, unfortunately, were not fully implemented. implemented. However, his plans have not lost their significance today. Despite the fact that our relations, especially during the Soviet period, were sometimes difficult, the need for economic and t ... Read more