This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

お雇い外国人

御雇外国人

Reading

Kana: おやといがいこくじん
Romaji: oyatoigaikokujin
Kana
Romaji

Definition

1

hired foreigners; foreign advisors hired by the Japanese government for their specialized knowledge to assist in the modernization of Japan at the end of the Bakufu and during the Meiji Era

Kanji

Readings: コ、 やと.う
Meanings: employ, hire
Readings: ガイ、 ゲ、 そと、 ほか、 はず.す、 はず.れる、 と-
Meaning: outside
Readings: コク、 くに
Meaning: country
Readings: ジン、 ニン、 ひと、 -り、 -と
Meaning: person
Readings: ギョ、 ゴ、 おん-、 お-、 み-
Meanings: honorable, manipulate, govern