The human drama of surveying technology at the early Meiji period (Book review: Hideo Izumida, Meiji seifu sokuryo shicho Colin Alexander McVean (Colin Alexander McVean, Surveyor in Chief in Meiji Japan), Tokyo: Bungeisya co., ltd., 2022.)
A huge wave of westernisation hit Japan at the end of the Edo period and the Meiji period. Surveying technology, which was also essential for understanding the country's land, had to rely on hired foreigners from the West. This book traces the footsteps of McVean, who was appointed chief surveyor by the Meiji Government, using newly discovered historical documents. The book also provides an insight into McVean's achievements, which have not been revealed until now.