Minister Aimaro Satō (佐藤愛麿) was the second Japanese extraordinary envoy and minister plenipotentiary resident in Mexico, with concurrence in Peru (the first had been Yoshibumi Murota [室田義文], since March 1897), beginning his diplomatic management on 5 December 1900. The diplomat presented his credentials to President Porfirio Díaz Mori on the 13th of the same month.
During his speech he referred to his firm intention to maintain and further promote friendly relations between the two countries. At the same time, he referred to the treaty of friendship, trade and navigation that Mexico and Japan had signed (1888) "on the basis of justice and equality, in order to march side by side towards the brilliant future that awaits them.” 1
The reference to the negotiation of this legal instrument, which allowed the formalization of diplomatic contacts between these two nations, has become a permanent constant in government speeches to highlight Mexico's support in the renegotiation of the unequal treaties that had been imposed by Western powers.
For his part, the head of the Mexican executive power mentioned the admirable development of Japan, which had managed to combine the wisdom of the "East" with the great advances of "Western" civilization, for which his government reaffirmed its interest in deepening the fraternal ties that unite them to expand bilateral trade for mutual benefit. 2 Likewise, at the beginning of the 20th century, an obligatory reference was the vertiginous process of Japanese modernization, which was referred to as an experience that should be taken into consideration for other countries. countries of the world.
Satō was an experienced diplomat, and for almost twenty years he was accredited as a diplomatic representative of Japan in the United States. This allowed him to have contact with Mexico, not only because of the geographical proximity, but also because of the constant news that the American press reproduced about him. its political and economic situation in the face of the modernization processes that were also taking place in the country under the Porfirian administration.
In addition, because the Japanese Legation in the United States (until 1906 it became an embassy) was in charge of affairs with Mexico. In that framework, Gozo Tateno (建野郷三) traveled to Mexico in the summer of 1891 to present his credentials as extraordinary envoy and plenipotentiary minister under the concurrent modality.
Satō would later be assigned as First Secretary in France and Germany, before returning to the Americas for his first assignment as Minister in Mexico. In the summer of 1901, he left for Lima, Peru, to present his credentials. in his capacity as concurrent diplomat from Mexico City. After his return, the press followed the official's activities and in a note published by Mundo Ilustrado, it highlighted the visit to the Legation and the Japanese diplomatic residence, located on Patoni Street. number 1, near Paseo de la Reforma and a short distance from the Foreign Affairs Secretariat building.
The journalist wrote a detailed account of the building, which he described as simple, but with a “rare elegance” due to the combination of Japanese artistic imagination with modern decorative art. He also expressed his amazement at the garden decorated with Japanese plants. , which had a fountain in the center containing fish of “strange colors” (Figure 1). He also described the existence of a greenhouse that was under the strict care of Minister Satō’s wife.
The article continues with a description of the reception room, which had a combination of French furniture with “a great amount of Japanese art” and on the walls of that room there were various paintings with different landscapes of the Mexican territory. , points out that the curtains “are made of such fine silk that, despite being made of double fabric,” one could grab them from the center with a single fist (Image 2).
Minister Satō's office, as described in the chronicle, was located on the eastern side of the building. Similarly, the reporter notes that it had a mixture of simplicity and elegance, the desk was located at the window, where there was a cage with a Mexican goldfinch that accompanies the Japanese official during his work day. He also says that “in the midst of the bird's trills, the Minister devotes himself to work and expresses a very special satisfaction in it.” 3 A map of the The Mexican Republic was located at the back, marking the places that “will encourage immigration to the richest areas of our country” (Image 4). The journalist concluded that the Japanese Legation was one of the “most well-disposed” and more richly established in Mexico.”
The relevance of the previous report today is the scarce information available about the interior of the Japanese Legation, located on the outskirts of downtown Mexico City, a short distance from the Alameda and several Mexican government agencies, such as the already mentioned Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but also the Ministry of the Interior. In this sense, its location was ideal for developing diplomatic activities, but also very close to developing a social life due to its proximity to various recreational areas, restaurants and theaters.
Minister Satō, after two and a half years, retired from Mexico, taking up other diplomatic responsibilities abroad, until, between 1916 and 1918, he was appointed ambassador of Japan in the United States, dying in 1934. A couple of years later The Japanese diplomatic office was moved to 1 Primera de Hamburgo Street, and later to the emerging Roma neighborhood of Mexico City.
Grades:
1. “Reception of the Minister of Japan”, El País , December 14, 1900, p.2.
2. In the Ambassadors’ Hall. “Reception of Mr. Minister of Japan. Exchanged speeches”, El Imparcial , December 14, 1900, p.1.
3. “Diplomatic residences in Mexico. Japanese legation,” El Mundo Ilustrado , September 29, 1901, pp. 4-5.
© 2025 Carlos Uscanga
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