Changes

Though so sympathetic to China, in his official diplomatic work, Takezoe worked to further the interests of his own nation. While Takezoe was stationed at a diplomatic post in [[Tianjin]] in [[1879]]-[[1880]], an incident known as the "Ili crisis" occurred in which a Chinese diplomat, [[Wanyan Chonghou]], concluded a treaty with Russia granting Russia far greater concessions than Beijing would have agreed to. Beijing attempted to renounce the treaty and have Wanyan executed; Russia refused to have the treaty renounced, and the other Western powers pressured China to honor its international agreements and to not execute Wanyan. In the end, war was avoided; amidst all of this, Takezoe worked to find a way to take advantage of the situation to Japan's benefit.

Though so sympathetic to China, in his official diplomatic work, Takezoe worked to further the interests of his own nation. While Takezoe was stationed at a diplomatic post in [[Tianjin]] in [[1879]]-[[1880]], an incident known as the "Ili crisis" occurred in which a Chinese diplomat, [[Wanyan Chonghou]], concluded a treaty with Russia granting Russia far greater concessions than Beijing would have agreed to. Beijing attempted to renounce the treaty and have Wanyan executed; Russia refused to have the treaty renounced, and the other Western powers pressured China to honor its international agreements and to not execute Wanyan. In the end, war was avoided; amidst all of this, Takezoe worked to find a way to take advantage of the situation to Japan's benefit.

He was later transferred from Tianjin to Seoul, where as Ambassador to Korea he played a major role in a plot by Japanese officials to gain some degree of control over the Korean government. The plot failed, Takezoe was physically assaulted, and a number of other Japanese subjects were murdered by Koreans, leading to Foreign Minister [[Inoue Kaoru]] leading a mission, alongside [[Durham Stevens]] and others, to address these attacks.

He was later transferred from Tianjin to [[Seoul]], where as Ambassador to Korea he played a major role in a plot by Japanese officials to gain some degree of control over the Korean government. The plot failed, Takezoe was physically assaulted, and a number of other Japanese subjects were murdered by Koreans, leading to Foreign Minister [[Inoue Kaoru]] leading a mission, alongside [[Durham Stevens]] and others, to address these attacks.

Takezoe returned to Japan shortly afterwards, retiring from official service, and publishing a number of important scholarly works. He was later awarded a doctoral degree, and membership in the Imperial Academy, for this work.

Takezoe returned to Japan shortly afterwards, retiring from official service, and publishing a number of important scholarly works. He was later awarded a doctoral degree, and membership in the Imperial Academy, for this work.