Sea Fort construction by The New Meiji Government

7. Fortifying Japanese archipelago by Aritomo Yamagata

Welcome Ceremony for the Advisory Group by Emperor Meiji
Welcome Ceremony for the Advisory Group by Emperor
Meiji 1872

Aritomo Yamagata ruling the Imperial Army as a Marshal from the Meiji era to the Taisho era, submitted “Gunbi Ikensho” (Opinion statement for Armament) and advocated the necessity of fortifying Japanese archipelago.  To realize this concept he had French Army Lieutenant Colonel Charles Marquerie inspect Tokyo Bay and submit a “Wagakuni Kaigan Bogyo Hoan” (Japan Seacoast Defense Bill) in Meiji 6 (1873).

In following Meiji 8 (1875), French Army Lieutenant Colonel Charles Munier, Engineer Captain C. Jourdan and Artillery Captain Lebon drafted “Nihonkoku Nanbukaigan Bougyo Houan” (Japan Southern Seacoast Defense Bill) in which they recommended to fortify seacoasts and islands with batteries.

Army Gen Aritomo Yamagata

Army Gen Aritomo Yamagata

The Second French Military Advisory Group

The Second French Military Advisory Group