Changes

In March [[1875]], Ôkubo Toshimichi first articulated a plan to fully abolish the Ryûkyû Kingdom (then, already known as Ryûkyû han) and to fully absorb its territory into Japan's "home" territory. The government that same month rejected suggestions to implement some form of colonial administration, in favor of Ôkubo's plan.

In March [[1875]], Ôkubo Toshimichi first articulated a plan to fully abolish the Ryûkyû Kingdom (then, already known as Ryûkyû han) and to fully absorb its territory into Japan's "home" territory. The government that same month rejected suggestions to implement some form of colonial administration, in favor of Ôkubo's plan.

Matsuda Michiyuki stepped down as governor of [[Shiga prefecture]] on March 25, taking a position with the Ministry of the Interior. On June 10, he was named ''Shobun-kan'' ("Disposition Officer") by [[Emperor Meiji]] and placed in charge of the abolition/overthrow and annexation, that is, the ''Shobun''. He left for Ryûkyû two days later with an entourage of over 70, and on July 14 entered [[Shuri castle]], meeting with [[Prince Nakijin]],<ref>Prince Nakijin served as the chief Ryukyuan representative in all these negotiations and meetings as King [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]] was either quite ill, or was feigning illness in order to avoid having to appear in person, submit himself in any way, or otherwise lose face.</ref> and issuing a series of demands:

Matsuda Michiyuki stepped down as governor of [[Shiga prefecture]] on March 25, taking a position with the Ministry of the Interior. On June 10, he was named ''Shobun-kan'' ("Disposition Officer") by [[Emperor Meiji]] and placed in charge of the abolition/overthrow and annexation, that is, the ''Shobun''. He left for Ryûkyû two days later with an entourage of over 70, and on July 14 entered [[Shuri castle]], meeting with [[Nakijin Chofu|Prince Nakijin]],<ref>Prince Nakijin served as the chief Ryukyuan representative in all these negotiations and meetings as King [[Sho Tai|Shô Tai]] was either quite ill, or was feigning illness in order to avoid having to appear in person, submit himself in any way, or otherwise lose face.</ref> and issuing a series of demands:

::#The exchange of envoys and missions with China was to end, and the ''[[Ryukyu-kan|Ryûkyû-kan]]'' in [[Fuzhou]] was to be abolished.

::#The exchange of envoys and missions with China was to end, and the ''[[Ryukyu-kan|Ryûkyû-kan]]'' in [[Fuzhou]] was to be abolished.

::#The Japanese calendar was to be used, and not Chinese reign years.

::#The Japanese calendar was to be used, and not Chinese reign years.