Yoshikazu Takei

The aim of this paper is to make clear the factors of the short-lived department of agriculture and industry newly attached to Toa Dobun Shoin College in Shanghai, China. This new department set up in 1914, had original curriculum to harmonize the scientific technology and practical learning: Chinese language, Chinese situation, commodity knowledge and so on. This program had been appeared to have attained its object. It was possible on the basis of Japan's higher economic growth during the WW I. However, this program was closed only after eight years because of the rapid deterioration of financial problem of the association of Toa Dobun Kai in Tokyo, which managed Toa Dobun Shoin College, due to the remarkable and world wide recession just after WW I. It was difficult to get the support from Japanese government. So, the idea to grow this department to the level of comprehensive school joining Chinese students was failed.