"Yukichi Fukuzawa (1835 - 1901)" - 2 -

As Yukichi visited Yokohama, he was greatly shocked by the fact that he could not read signboards written in English at all. Although he had learned Dutch until then, it made him realized the necessity of learning English, then he started to learn English on his own using English-Dutch dictionaries.

In 1860, at the age of twenty-five, Yukichi was given a big chance to participate in a mission to go to the United States, and visited San Francisco in California. In the United States, he got culture shock greatly. After joining other mission to Europe, he visited the United Sates again and realized that he had to build Japan into a modern state. After he came back to Japan, he put his firm faith into practice and started to enlighten the public.

First, Yukichi published his famous work SEIYO JIJO (The West) that introduced the history of Western countries, various modern institutions of hospital, bank, mail service, the parliamentary system, etc.

In addition, in 1872, he published his most famous book titled GAKUMON NO SUSUME (An encouragement of Learning). In this book, he encouraged people to learn modern civilization to develop personal independence and promote an independent spirit that is essential factor of building self-governing nation. Especially he was very emphatic about bringing up a spirit of culture and hard study. The book marked a best seller in those days. Independence and Self-respect is Yukichi's representative word he had stressed throughout his life.

In 1885 late in his life, Yukichi published DATSU-A RON (Leaving Asia). In the book, he promoted our country to emerge from Asian community in order to make Japan become a modern capitalistic state. His statement was based on his apprehension that Japan might be colonized by the western countries if this country could not change into modern country.

According to Yukichi's great achievements, he received invitation to the official posts from the government repeatedly, but he refused firmly. He stuck resolutely to put himself among the private sector.

End

[References]
"Gakumon no susume" written by Yukichi Fukuzawa
"Shimonjuku" http://www.shimonjuku.com/