Miura Gorō

Biography

Miura was born in Chōshū Domain (modern Yamaguchi Prefecture), to a samurai family. After studying at the Meirinkan clan military academy, he entered the Kiheitai irregular militia of the Chōshū domain and played an active role in the Boshin War to overthrow the Tokugawa bakufu. He later held various posts in Army-Navy Ministry and was commander of the Hiroshima District. During the Satsuma Rebellion, he served as commander of the Army's Third Brigade.

In 1884, he accompanied Ōyama Iwao on a tour of Europe, to study the military systems in various western countries. In 1888, after coming into conflict with politicians in the Chōshū clan clique, he was transferred from active duty to the reserves. In November of the same year, he retired and became president of Gakushuin Peers’ School.

In 1890, Miura was appointed a member of the House of Peers, and elevated in title to shishaku (viscount) under the kazoku peerage system.

In 1895, Miura was appointed Japan’s resident minister in Korea, succeeding Inoue Kaoru. Later that year, the political situation in Korea became increasingly unsettled due to the international outrage over the assassination of Korean Empress Myeongseong. Miura played the critical role in the assassination and was recalled to Japan and placed on a farcical trial with the involved military personnel at the Hiroshima District Court. The trial was held for political purposes to give an impression of rule of law to western nations. Miura's attorney argued in defense that killing is no murder when done to achieve political supremacy with Miura even admitting to the assassination. Nonetheless, the court found him not guilty on technical grounds of insufficient evidence and Miura and cohorts emerged from trial as national heroes.

Later, after the Japan-Korea Annexation Treaty in 1910, Miura became a privy councilor and focused on mediating talks among the heads of the political parties to protect the Meiji Constitution.

Awards and decorations