On the 11th September, as part of Japan-UK 150, the Consulate General of Japan held a reception to commemorate the achievements of William K. Burton, who contributed to the modernisation of Japan, especially in the field of sanitary engineering. The reception helped to strengthen the friendship between Scotland and Japan.
In attendance was the Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning, Ms Fiona Hyslop, and from Japan a delegation headed by Professor Sakai. There were also members from Japan-related organisations.
William K. Burton was born in Edinburgh in 1856 as an expert in sanitary engineering be worked extensively in London. In 1887, he was invited by the Japanese Government to take up the post of Professor at the Imperial University in Tokyo. He was also sole consultant on sanitary issues to Japan’s Home Office and designed the water supply and sewerage system in Tokyo and proposed basic plans to 24 Japanese cities.
His great achievement was to lay the foundations for today’s sanitary and environment engineering in Japan. As such, in 1896, he was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun by the Japanese Government.
Sadly he died on the 5th August 1899 at just 43 years old.
From left to
right: Professor Stuart Picken, Chairman
Japanese delegation from the Executive Committee for W.K
of the Japan Society of Scotland, Ms Fiona Hyslop, Burton Memorial Anglo-Japanese Exchange Project 2009
Cabinet Secretary for Education and Lifelong Learning,
Mr Masataka Tarahara, Consul General of Japan
Performance of
tsugaru-shamisen by Kevin Kmetz, great- Yoko Kmetz, great-granddaughter of William K.Burton and
great-grandson of William K. Burton Kevin Kmetz
The following day on the 12th September, the William K. Burton Memorial Event was held at Edinburgh Napier University where the former Burton family home stands.
From left to
right: Councillor Robert Munn, Deputy Lord Unveiling of bench donated by the Executive Committee for W.K
Provost, Dr Jenny Rees, Vice-Principal, Edinburgh Napier Burton Memorial Anglo-Japanese Exchange Project 2009
University
Collaborative performance of Scottish bagpipes and
tsugaru-shamisen