[1] Prince Tokugawa held the influential position of president of Japan's upper house of congress the Diet for 30 years.

He aspired to be matriculated at either the University of Cambridge or Oxford, but on Tenshō-in's request, he decided to give up his studies in England and went back to Japan in 1882.

This 1917 condolence booklet described the Japanese creating an association to collect a monetary fund which was given to Allied nations to help with their war-related health costs.

The illustrated biography The Art of Peace by Stan S. Katz highlights the alliance between Prince Iyesato Tokugawa and Baron Eiichi Shibusawa as they promoted democracy and international goodwill.

[1] One of Prince Tokugawa's close allies during the 1930s in the promotion of goodwill between Japan and the United States was Ambassador Joseph Grew.

Besides being a pleasant vacation, Prince Tokugawa's world travels were very much directed at attempting to further strengthen Japan's relationship with its allies in the U.S. and Europe so as to better resist a rising global militarism and fascism.

While in the U.S., Prince Tokugawa delivered a radio address to the American public describing the long enduring and friendly relations between United States and Japan; he also met with President Franklin Delano Roosevelt, as well as other U.S. congressional leaders, encouraging a united front to prevent a potential upcoming war.

[10] During his visit in 1934, Prince Iyesato Tokugawa received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the University of Southern California.

This presentation took place during a special luncheon given March 19, 1934 in Los Angeles, hosted by George I. Cochran, the president of the school's board of trustees.

The Los Angeles Times[11][12][13] stated that this honorary degree was given to Prince Tokugawa "in recognition of distinguished service in international statesmanship", and for his "support of many philanthropic and educational movements."

The Japan-America Society of Los Angeles (part of the National Association of Japan-America Societies) was to host a banquet dinner that evening to honor Prince Tokugawa's visit; California Governor James Rolph and former Mayor of Los Angeles John C. Porter planned to attend.