June 28, 2024
EXPO and Exhibitors NO.1
Source: Daisho (OCCI) News dated June 5th, 2024

157 years ago, the Edo Shogunate, the Saga domain, and the Satsuma domain officially participated in the second World's Fair in Paris for the first time from Japan in 1867.
The person who led the Satsuma clan's participation was GODAI Tomoatsu, who later became the first Chairperson of the Osaka Chamber of Commerce and Industry in 1878.
In 1865, two years before the World's Fair, 19 students from the Satsuma domain, including GODAI Tomoatsu, departed for Europe to acquire modern technology and knowledge.
GODAI previewed the Expo venue and visited the secretariat, and returned to Japan in 1866 before the Expo was held. Afterwards, he worked day and night in Nagasaki to exhibit at the World's Fair, and greatly supported the diplomatic activities of the Satsuma clan at the Paris World's Fair.