French military mission to Japan (1867–1868)

It was formed by emperor Napoléon III following a request from the Tokugawa shogunate through its emissary to Europe, Shibata Takenaka, with the goal of modernizing the Japanese military.

Shibata was already negotiating the final details of the French support for the construction of the Yokosuka Shipyard, and had additionally requested both the United Kingdom and France to send a military mission for training in Western warfare.

They were welcomed on their arrival by Léon Roches and the commander of the French Far East Squadron Admiral Pierre-Gustave Roze.

The French military mission was then ordered to leave Japan by decree of the newly installed Meiji Emperor in October 1868.

The original mission composed of 15 members, arriving in Japan in January 1867, and was later supplemented with non-commissioned officers Cazeneuve, Jourdan and Michel (February 1868).

The French military mission before its departure to Japan, in 1867. Charles Chanoine is standing in the center, Jules Brunet is second from right in the front row.
French officers drilling Shōgun troops in Osaka in 1867.
Training of Japanese Bakufu troops by the French Military Mission to Japan. 1867 photograph.
The Shogunate's French-style cavalry.
Training of Japanese troops by the French.
The shōgun Tokugawa Yoshinobu in French military uniform, c. 1867