# The First Japanese Classical Liberal: Itagaki Taisuke

**URL:** <https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/portraits-of-liberty/the-first-japanese-classical-liberal-itagaki-taisuke>

**By** Paul Meany

**Published:** February 10, 2022

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Itagaki Taisuke transformed from a war hero samurai into a champion for individual rights.

## SUMMARY:

Born into a middle-ranking samurai family and a volatile political scene, Itagaki Taisuke would become one of the most influential figures in Japanese history. His early exposure to western ideas of liberalism led him to become a fierce advocate of constitutional government. He became the leader of the Freedom and People's Rights Movement, which later developed into Japan's first-ever political party, the Liberal Party.

MUSIC ATTRIBUTIONS:  
Village Dawn by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4586-village-dawn](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4586-village-dawn) License: [https://filmmusic.io/standard-license](https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)

Luminous Rain by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4007-luminous-rain](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4007-luminous-rain) License: [https://filmmusic.io/standard-license](https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)

Blue Paint by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3450-blue-paint](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3450-blue-paint) License: [https://filmmusic.io/standard-license](https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)

Man Down by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4016-man-down](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4016-man-down) License: [https://filmmusic.io/standard-license](https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)

Grave Blow by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3821-grave-blow](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3821-grave-blow) License: [https://filmmusic.io/standard-license](https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)

Pale Rider by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4192-pale-rider](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4192-pale-rider) License: [https://filmmusic.io/standard-license](https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)

SCP-x6x (Hopes) by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6736-scp-x6x-hopes-](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/6736-scp-x6x-hopes-) License: [https://filmmusic.io/standard-license](https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)

Relent by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4274-relent](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4274-relent) License: [https://filmmusic.io/standard-license](https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)

With the Sea by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4638-with-the-sea](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4638-with-the-sea) License: [https://filmmusic.io/standard-license](https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)

Feather Waltz by Kevin MacLeod Link: [https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3743-feather-waltz](https://incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/3743-feather-waltz) License: [https://filmmusic.io/standard-license](https://filmmusic.io/standard-license)