Formation of Russian Naval Intelligence in Japan in the Second Half of the XIX Century

The relevance of the article is to study the formation of Russian naval intelligence in Japan in the second half of the XIX century. after the opening of Japanese ports to western European powers throughout the second half of the nineteenth century, the inhabitants of the island remained natives. All attempts to create a Japanese fleet did not arouse interest in the Russian naval department. I must say that in the second half of the XIX century. The Russian Empire was undoubtedly considered the leading naval power in the Far Eastern region. therefore, in japan, the position of a spy under diplomatic cover, was not even introduced. Russian naval intelligence had to be content with the occasional testimony of naval officers and merchant ship captains. only at the end of the xix century. in japan, the Russian maritime ministry introduces the post of naval agent.
The purpose of the article is to investigate the reasons for assistance in the formation of Russian naval intelligence in Japan in the second half of the XIX century.
Objectives of the article: Using the documents of the Russian Archive of the Navy (RGA of the Navy) to analyze the activities of Russian naval agents who worked in Japan under diplomatic cover in the second half of the XIX century. Consider the results of the construction of the infrastructure of the Imperial Japanese Navy during the formation of Japan as one of the leading world powers. to characterize the influence of the Russian naval department on the creation of the Japanese naval forces. To reveal methods of collecting information by Russian naval intelligence in Japan in the second half of the XIX century.
Methodology. The paper uses traditional and general scientific methods together with an Istrico-situational approach in the study of the daily activities of Russian naval intelligence in the second half of the XIX century.
Results. The study shows the process of long-term formation of Russian naval intelligence in japan in the second half of the xix century. In fact, by the end of the XIX century, the Russian Maritime Ministry of Russia began to perceive the Japanese Fleet as a potential threat.
The conclusions of the article contain an opinion on the results of the work of Russian naval intelligence in Japan in the second half of the XIX century. The development of the navy of the eastern neighbor significantly influenced the establishment of the post of naval agent in Japan.

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