Inoue Masaru was the first Japanese head of the railroads (tetsudô-no-kami).
Originally from Chôshû, Inoue traveled to England with Itô Hirobumi and others in 1863 as one of the Chôshû Five. While in England, he studied coal mining and railroads. Upon returning to Japan, he helped direct the establishment of railroads there.
References
- Plaques at Sakuragichô Station.[1]
- Plaques on-site at University College London.[2]