[5] In 1867, Morel was active in British North Borneo for the Labuan Coal Company, building railways and sinking mining shafts,[5] living at Labuan island, when he was invited to Japan by British envoy Sir Harry Parkes.

During his short assignment he made significant proposals to the Japanese government regarding engineering administration and education.

The government established the Ministry of Public Works in December 1870 on his advice to integrate the introduction of foreign technologies and their application.

[6] Morel suffered from tuberculosis before his arrival in Japan, and as his condition worsened he resigned his post with the intention of going to India.

[8] Oyatoi gaikokujin, hired foreigners in Japan Media related to Edmund Morel at Wikimedia Commons