Matsuoka
YASUKOWA, Japanese statesman; born in Tokushima in 1846, he early secured a position in administrative affairs, becoming an official in the justice department when he was 25, and later going abroad to investigate methods of administering justice. He returned from Europe in 1887, entered the House of Peers in 1891, and was assistant minister of home affairs in 1894 and 1898. During the seven years ending in 1906 he presided over court of litigation, and has since been prominent in educational matters.