In 1868, at the beginning of the Meiji era, Japan decided to join the main group of developed countries, creating a new monetary system, a new currency and a new financial system. After a period of difficulties in the 1870's, Masayoshi Matsukata (b. April 3, 1834, Kagoshima, d. July 2, 1924, Tokyo) became Minister of Finance, then Prime Minister (6 May 1891 ? 8 August 1892; 18 September 1896 ? 12 January 1898).00He was the main architect of the financial evolution of Japan, resolving the question of inflation, improving the monetary system, creating the Bank of Japan, then overseeing the shift to the gold standard.00He marked each step by the publication of a volume explaining the reasons behind his policy. In republishing his three volumes (The history of National Debts in Japan, 1890; Report on the adoption of the gold standard in Japan, 1899; Report on the post-bellum financial administration in Japan, 1896-1900, 1901), we give a completely new perspective on the transformation of Japan during the Meiji era.00Marina Kovalchuk is assistant professor, Far Eastern Federal University, Vladivostok.00Georges Depeyrot is researcher, Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, Paris and heads the DAMIN program (La Dépréciation de l'Argent Monétaire et les Relations Internationales - Silver monetary depreciation and international relations).