Modern society is extremely complex, and dealing with internationalization would be representative. Companies that do business only in Japan face a difficult future, so they need to venture out into the world by hiring people who are fluent in languages and knowledgeable about global affairs.
Tokugawa Ieyasu responded to the international community by hiring a diverse range of human resources. The key to this was William Adams, who was born in Gillingham, Kent, England in 1564.
In 1598, while in Holland, Adams sailed to Asia as a pilot on the Liefde, a fleet of ships dispatched to the Orient.
The fleet, consisting of five ships, broke up en route. Fortunately, the Liefde, with Adams aboard, drifted ashore at Sashio (Usuki City, Oita Prefecture) in Bungo Usuki Bay on April 19, 1600.
The Nagasaki magistrate, however, was alarmed by them and took away their weapons and other property. Later, Adams and others who had drifted ashore went to Osaka in place of the captain, who was unable to move, to explain the situation to Ieyasu.
Since the Jesuit missionaries had called for the execution of the English and Dutch, Ieyasu assumed that the Liefde was a pirate ship.
However, after hearing from Adams and others about the purpose of the voyage and the reasons for the conflict between Protestant and Catholic nations, he learned of their true intentions. As a result, Adams and others were not executed.
Adams wished to return to Enghland, but Ieyasu would not allow it and took him into his custody. Ieyasu gave Adams a stipend and employed him as an interpreter to negotiate with foreign envoys.
He also had his vassals teach navigation and mathematics, and used them as a kind of diplomatic advisor. Later, Adams was ordered by Ieyasu to build Western-style sailing ships.
Adams was highly respected by Ieyasu and became a bannerman, receiving 250 koku of land in Hemi, Sagami (Yokosuka City, Kanagawa Prefecture), and the name Anjin Miura (三浦按針).
The surname “Miura” was associated with Miura County in Sagami Province, and “Anjin” meant pilot (navigator), which was Adams' occupation. Adams married a Japanese woman, Oyuki (Maria), and they were blessed with a son and a daughter, Joseph and Susanna.
Adams promoted trade with the Netherlands, England and Japan. He also expanded into Southeast Asia through the red seal trade, contributing greatly to Ieyasu's diplomacy.
Ieyasu's success was not based on race, but on his ability to recruit human resources to deal with the international community. I am amazed at Ieyasu's foresight, which was not influenced by stereotypes.
