Thomas Glover (diplomat)

Thomas Blake Glover (June 6, 1838 – December 16, 1911) was a Scottish merchant who significantly contributed to the modernization of Japan during the late Edo and Meiji periods. He is often referred to as a diplomat due to his role in facilitating trade, procuring weaponry, and supporting the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate, although he officially held no diplomatic post.

Glover arrived in Nagasaki, Japan, in 1859 and quickly established himself as a key figure in the foreign trading community. His company, Glover and Co., imported weapons, ships, and industrial equipment, playing a vital role in equipping both the Satsuma and Choshu clans, who were opposed to the Tokugawa shogunate. These clans would later form the core of the Meiji Restoration. He also helped smuggle young members of these clans out of Japan, enabling them to study abroad, which was forbidden by the shogunate at the time. These students later became prominent leaders in the Meiji government.

Following the Meiji Restoration in 1868, Glover transitioned his business to focus on industrial development. He played a pivotal role in the establishment of Mitsubishi, the Japan Brewery Company (later Kirin Brewery), and shipbuilding industries. His knowledge of Western technology and business practices proved invaluable to the fledgling Meiji government as it sought to rapidly modernize Japan.

Glover's contributions were recognized by the Meiji government, and he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun. His former residence in Nagasaki, Glover Garden, is a popular tourist attraction and a testament to his enduring legacy in Japan. He is often depicted as a symbol of the early period of Japan's modernization and internationalization. While his activities blurred the lines between commerce, diplomacy, and espionage, Glover's impact on Japanese history is undeniable.