Foreigner in the service of the government, Florrijerardt, ambiguous status of honorary consul general, late Edo period to early Meiji period (late Edo period to early Meiji period)

Foreigner in the service of the government, Florrijerardt, ambiguous status of honorary consul general, late Edo period to early Meiji period (late Edo period to early Meiji period)

The title of Honorary Consul-General, which Floriherald assumed, symbolizes the immaturity of the Japanese diplomatic system from the end of the Edo period to the early years of the Meiji era. This title was not a formal government position with clear official regulations and rules of authority, but rather a position of convenience and flexibility given to facilitate local business affairs.

At the time, Japan had stepped out into the international community by concluding treaties, but the modern foreign affairs bureaucracy and overseas diplomatic missions were still in the process of being developed, and much of the diplomatic work was dependent on the ability and trust of individuals. With the lack of sufficient permanent diplomats in Europe, the presence of foreigners who were familiar with local conditions and had personal connections was essential. As a result, ambiguous titles were needed to allow persons who did not fit into formal government positions to represent Japan's interests.

With his deep roots in French society and his relationships with the government, business, and financial circles, Florriherald was in a position to handle Japanese requests in a practical manner. However, no framework was in place to institutionalize him as a regular diplomat, and he was chosen for the intermediate position of honorary consul general. This ambiguity made it possible for him to assume a wide variety of roles alone, including diplomacy, commerce, financial management, and contract negotiations.

The title of honorary consul general was a product of a time when the institution was incomplete and individual competence substituted for the institution itself. The existence of Florriherald, a foreigner in the employ of a foreigner, quietly illustrates the process by which Japan, before the establishment of the modern diplomatic system, prioritized practicality over ideals and adapted to international society through a series of pragmatic responses.