Dr. Boissonade and the Academic Culture of "Freedom and Progress

Gustave Emile Boissonade de Fontarabie was born on June 7, 1825 in Vincennes, France.

After graduating from the University of Paris with a doctorate, he became a professor at the Universities of Grenoble and Paris. In 1873, he was invited to Japan as a legal advisor to the government, and for 20 years, as an advisor to the Grand Council of State, the Ministry of Justice, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he compiled codes such as the Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Civil Code, and taught at the Law School of the Ministry of Justice and advised the government on foreign policy. He also taught at the Law School of the Ministry of Justice and advised the government on foreign policy.

In September 1883, he was appointed head teacher of the Tokyo Law School (later renamed the Japanese-French Law School), the predecessor of the University, and for the next 10 years, until his final return to Japan, he devoted himself to the education of his students without compensation, devoting his energies to laying the foundation for the University.

Since the Tokyo Law School had no principal and was managed by its principal, Masakuni Satto, it is said that the school was in effect "Boissonade's law school.

The basic philosophy of French natural law and modern law fostered by Boissonade became the foundation for creating the academic culture of "freedom and progress" at TIJS.

He died on June 27, 1910 in Antibes, southern France.

The "Boissonade Tower," completed in April 2000, was named after Dr. Boissonade, who made great achievements in the early days of the university.