The Dutch had risen to influential positions by the end of the Edo period, and after the Restoration many Dutchmen, notably Johannis de RIJKE, were hired in the field of river engineering (It is said that this was because Dutch flood control technology was highly praised by those connected to this field of engineering; however, a different theory holds that the large-scale hiring of Dutch river engineers was due to the nepotism of Dr. Anthonius Franciscus BAUDUIN and his younger brother.)
幕末までに勃興したオランダ人は、維新後は土木の河川技術方面でヨハニス・デ・レーケ等多くの人材が雇用された（オランダの治水技術が関係者に高く評価された背景があるとされているが、アントニウス・ボードウィン博士兄弟との縁故による斡旋という説もある）。