ABSTRACT
It was always clear that Russian ambitions in East Asia had to lead to interactions with Japan. However, it was uncertain what these interactions would look like, since friendship might have been an option provided Russia accepted the Japanese need for security, something that would be achieved in the aftermath of the Russo-Japanese War. Akashi Motojiro had been military attaché in Russia and was sent to Sweden when the war broke out. The Japanese officer was a graduate of Japan's Military Academy and the Military Staff College. The continuing war highlighted the weak state of the Russian military and navy and also increased economic pressure on the Russian population. Consequently, the Russo-Japanese War must be regarded as the trigger that started the revolutionary cycle in Russia. Even though the Czar announced the October Manifesto and granted a constitution and a parliamentary representation, the Duma, the reforms were halfhearted, and Nicholas quickly tried to return to his autocratic ruling style.
