Kotoku Shusui's Criticism of Imperialism
Kotoku Shusui (幸德秋水, November 5, 1871-January 24, 1911), whose real name is Tenjiro (伝次郎), is a Japanese socialist and anarchist from Kochi Prefecture (高知県), and he was one of the anti-imperialism leaders of Japan in the early 20th century. He studied philosophy, history, and literature in France on a national scholarship, and served as the editor in chief for The Oriental Free Press, a newspaper founded by Saionji Kinmochi (西園寺公望). And he translated The Social Contract, or Principles of Political Right (民約論) by J.J. Rousseau and wrote Notes on the Social Contract 民約譯解), which were widely known to many who were interested in people's right in Europe and earned him the reputation as the 'Rousseau of the East.'
Writeen by_ Kwak Jin-o, Research Fellow at Dokdo Research Institute