 After 1869, the northern Japanese island was known as Hokkaido; and regional subdivisions were established, including the provinces of Oshima, Shiribeshi, Iburi, Ishikari, Teshio, Kitami, Hidaka, Tokachi, Kushiro, Nemuro and Chishima.The primary purpose of the development commission was to secure Hokkaido before the Russians extended their control of the Far East beyond Vladivostok.Kuroda Kiyotaka was put in charge of the venture.