Ichiro Yoda (26 August 1860 – 28 September 1933) was a Japanese politician who served as the governor of Hiroshima…Ichiro Yoda (26 August 1860 – 28 September 1933) was a Japanese politician who served as the governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from July 1921 to October 1922. Prior to that, he served as the governor of Gunma Prefecture (1912), and of Nagano Prefecture (1913–1914).
Baron Yoshito Okuda (31 July 1870 – 21 August 1917) was a Japanese politician who served as the Mayor of Tokyo from 15…Baron Yoshito Okuda (31 July 1870 – 21 August 1917) was a Japanese politician who served as the Mayor of Tokyo from 15 June 1915, until his death on 21 August 1917.
Ryutaro Nomura (Japanese: 野村龍太郎) (February 27, 1859 – September 18, 1943) was a Japanese businessman. He was born in…Ryutaro Nomura (Japanese: 野村龍太郎) (February 27, 1859 – September 18, 1943) was a Japanese businessman. He was born in Gifu Prefecture. He was a graduate of the University of Tokyo. He was twice President of the South Manchuria Railway (1913–1914, 1919–1921). He was a recipient of the Order of the Sacred Treasure and the Order of the Rising Sun.
Prince Yamagata Isaburō (山縣 伊三郎; born Katsu Isaburō; 6 February 1858 – 24 September 1927) was a Japanese politician…Prince Yamagata Isaburō (山縣 伊三郎; born Katsu Isaburō; 6 February 1858 – 24 September 1927) was a Japanese politician, cabinet minister, and Japanese Inspector-General of Korea. His wife was the daughter of Katō Hiroyuki.
Count Itō Miyoji (伊東 巳代治; 7 May 1857 – 19 February 1934) was a Japanese statesman of the Meiji era. He was a protégé of…Count Itō Miyoji (伊東 巳代治; 7 May 1857 – 19 February 1934) was a Japanese statesman of the Meiji era. He was a protégé of the leading oligarch Itō Hirobumi. As cabinet secretary 1892-1898, he was a powerbroker between the oligarchy and the political powers in the Diet. He grew increasingly conservative and became a watchdog and defender of the constitution in his role as privy councillor, 1899-1934. Biographer George Akita calls him a political failure.
Baron Den Kenjirō (田 健治郎; 25 March 1855 – 16 November 1930) was a Japanese politician and cabinet minister in the…Baron Den Kenjirō (田 健治郎; 25 March 1855 – 16 November 1930) was a Japanese politician and cabinet minister in the pre-war government of the Empire of Japan. He was also the 8th Japanese Governor-General of Taiwan from October 1919 to September 1923, and the first civilian to hold that position. Den was also a co-founder of Kaishinsha Motorcar Works, a predecessor to present-day Nissan and the original manufacturer of Datsun automobiles.
Tsunamasa Ōyama (大山 綱昌, Ōyama Tsunamasa; 24 December 1853 – 18 October 1934) was a Japanese politician. He was governor…Tsunamasa Ōyama (大山 綱昌, Ōyama Tsunamasa; 24 December 1853 – 18 October 1934) was a Japanese politician. He was governor of Saga Prefecture (1898–1901), Gunma Prefecture (1901–1902) and Nagano Prefecture (1902–1905).
Chikaaki Takasaki (高崎 親章, Takasaki Chikaaki; 7 June 1853 – 27 December 1920) was a Japanese politician. He fought in…Chikaaki Takasaki (高崎 親章, Takasaki Chikaaki; 7 June 1853 – 27 December 1920) was a Japanese politician. He fought in the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877. He was governor of Ibaraki Prefecture (1893–1896), Nagano Prefecture (1896–1897), Okayama Prefecture (1897–1900), Miyagi Prefecture (1900), Kyoto Prefecture (1900–1902) and Osaka (1902–1911).
Egi Kazuyuki (江木 千之, Kazuyuki Egi; 21 May 1853 – 23 August 1932) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician in Meiji and…Egi Kazuyuki (江木 千之, Kazuyuki Egi; 21 May 1853 – 23 August 1932) was a Japanese bureaucrat and politician in Meiji and Taishō period.
Count Kaneko Kentarō (金子 堅太郎, Kentarō Kaneko; 4 February 1853 – 16 May 1942) was a statesman, diplomat, and legal…Count Kaneko Kentarō (金子 堅太郎, Kentarō Kaneko; 4 February 1853 – 16 May 1942) was a statesman, diplomat, and legal scholar in Meiji period Japan. A graduate of Harvard Law School, he drew on his connections in the American legal community over the course of his long career in Japanese government, particularly in his role helping to draft the new Meiji Constitution (Imperial Japanese Constitution). During the Russo-Japanese War, he engaged in promotion activities in the United States and contributed to Japan's victory. Kaneko was one of the most influential proponents of a Japanese-American alliance in Imperial Japan. In his later years, he opposed and worked to avoid the Pacific War, but his attempts failed. He was the first person to translate Edmund Burke into Japanese and is considered the first Burkean conservative in Japan.
Baron Kuki Ryūichi (九鬼 隆一; September 12, 1852 – August 18, 1931) was a Japanese politician and samurai. He is best…Baron Kuki Ryūichi (九鬼 隆一; September 12, 1852 – August 18, 1931) was a Japanese politician and samurai. He is best known as the father of philosopher Kuki Shūzō.
Hattori Ichizo (Japanese: 服部 一三, Hepburn: Hattori Ichizō; 13 March 1851 – 25 January 1929) was a Japanese politician…Hattori Ichizo (Japanese: 服部 一三, Hepburn: Hattori Ichizō; 13 March 1851 – 25 January 1929) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from July to December 1898. He was also governor of Iwate Prefecture (1891–1898), Nagasaki Prefecture (1898–1900) and Hyōgo Prefecture (1900–1916). He was the first president of the Seismological Society of Japan (1880–1882), as well as president of Kyoritsu Women's University (1886–1891). He was on the faculty of the University of Tokyo and Kyoto University.
Terada Yushi (27 January 1851 – 14 March 1917) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of Tottori Prefecture…Terada Yushi (27 January 1851 – 14 March 1917) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of Tottori Prefecture (1901–1906), Okayama Prefecture (1906–1908), Miyagi Prefecture (1908–1913) and Hiroshima Prefecture from February 1913 to April 1916.
Hatano Norinao (Japanese: 波多野敬直) (13 November 1850 – 29 August 1922) was a Japanese Minister of the Imperial Household…Hatano Norinao (Japanese: 波多野敬直) (13 November 1850 – 29 August 1922) was a Japanese Minister of the Imperial Household during Taishō era. He was born in Saga Prefecture. He was recipient of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (3rd class, 1899; 1st class, 1906), the Order of the Rising Sun (1 December 1915) and the Victory Medal for World War I (10 November 1915).
Viscount Ōura Kanetake (大浦 兼武; 15 June 1850 – 30 September 1918) was a politician and bureaucrat in late Meiji and…Viscount Ōura Kanetake (大浦 兼武; 15 June 1850 – 30 September 1918) was a politician and bureaucrat in late Meiji and early Taishō period Empire of Japan.
Count Kiyoura Keigo (清浦 奎吾; 14 February or 27 March 1850 – 5 November 1942) was a Japanese politician. He was the Prime…Count Kiyoura Keigo (清浦 奎吾; 14 February or 27 March 1850 – 5 November 1942) was a Japanese politician. He was the Prime Minister of Japan in 1924, during the period which historians have called the "Taishō Democracy".
Viscount Hamao Arata (濱尾 新; 12 May 1849 – 25 September 1925) was a Japanese official and educator from the Meiji and…Viscount Hamao Arata (濱尾 新; 12 May 1849 – 25 September 1925) was a Japanese official and educator from the Meiji and Taishō periods, who served as President of the Privy Council from 1924 to 1925. He was a significant figure in the early development of the University of Tokyo. Hamao hailed from Toyooka, Hyōgo. He was an official in the Ministry of Education and an academic administrator, serving twice as the president of Tokyo Imperial University and once as Minister of Education. He later served as a courtier, supervising the household and education of the future Emperor Hirohito.
Count Hirata Tosuke (平田 東助; 2 March 1849 – 14 April 1925) was a Japanese statesman and the 7th Lord Keeper of the Privy…Count Hirata Tosuke (平田 東助; 2 March 1849 – 14 April 1925) was a Japanese statesman and the 7th Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan, active in the Meiji and Taishō period Empire of Japan.
Watanabe Hiromoto (also read as Watanabe Kouki, 渡辺洪基; 28 January 1848 – 24 May 1901) was a Japanese statesman…Watanabe Hiromoto (also read as Watanabe Kouki, 渡辺洪基; 28 January 1848 – 24 May 1901) was a Japanese statesman, politician, diplomat, educator. Member of the Imperial Parliament of Japan, member of the Senate. The head of Tokyo Prefecture (1885–1886), Rector of Tokyo Imperial University (1886–1890).
Baron Matsuoka Yasutake (松岡康毅; 14 August 1846 – 1 September 1923) was a legal scholar and cabinet minister in the…Baron Matsuoka Yasutake (松岡康毅; 14 August 1846 – 1 September 1923) was a legal scholar and cabinet minister in the pre-war Empire of Japan.
Viscount Watanabe Kunitake (渡辺 国武; 29 March 1846 – 11 May 1919) was a Japanese politician, cabinet minister and deputy…Viscount Watanabe Kunitake (渡辺 国武; 29 March 1846 – 11 May 1919) was a Japanese politician, cabinet minister and deputy prime minister, who lived in the Meiji and Taishō periods. Noted primarily for his role as finance minister, he was also the younger brother of Count Watanabe Chiaki.
Takatoshi Iwamura (8 December 1845 – 4 January 1906) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of Hiroshima…Takatoshi Iwamura (8 December 1845 – 4 January 1906) was a Japanese politician who served as governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from May to July 1898. He was governor of Saga Prefecture (1874), Ehime Prefecture (1874–1880), Ishikawa Prefecture (1883–1890), Aichi Prefecture (1890–1892) and Fukuoka Prefecture (1895–1898).
Viscount Shinagawa Yajirō (品川 弥二郎; 20 November 1843 – 26 February 1900) was a Japanese samurai of the Chōshū Domain and…Viscount Shinagawa Yajirō (品川 弥二郎; 20 November 1843 – 26 February 1900) was a Japanese samurai of the Chōshū Domain and politician who became Home Minister in the early Meiji period.
Baron Utsumi Tadakatsu (内海 忠勝; 12 September 1843 – 20 January 1905) was a Japanese bureaucrat, statesman and cabinet…Baron Utsumi Tadakatsu (内海 忠勝; 12 September 1843 – 20 January 1905) was a Japanese bureaucrat, statesman and cabinet minister, active in Meiji period Empire of Japan.
Viscount Inoue Masaru (井上 勝; 25 August 1843 – 2 August 1910) was the first Director of Railways in Japan and is known…Viscount Inoue Masaru (井上 勝; 25 August 1843 – 2 August 1910) was the first Director of Railways in Japan and is known as the "father of the Japanese railways".
Nishimura Sutezō (西村 捨三; 24 August 1843 – 14 January 1908) was a Japanese businessman and politician. He was a veteran…Nishimura Sutezō (西村 捨三; 24 August 1843 – 14 January 1908) was a Japanese businessman and politician. He was a veteran of the Boshin War. He was the fourth Governor of Okinawa Prefecture (1883–1886) and the sixth Governor of Osaka (1889–1891).
Count Yoshikawa Akimasa (芳川 顕正; 21 January 1842 – 10 January 1920) was a Japanese bureaucrat, statesman and cabinet…Count Yoshikawa Akimasa (芳川 顕正; 21 January 1842 – 10 January 1920) was a Japanese bureaucrat, statesman and cabinet minister, active in Meiji and Taishō period Japan.
Chisaka Takamasa (千坂 高雅; 11 March 1841 – 3 December 1912) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period who went on to…Chisaka Takamasa (千坂 高雅; 11 March 1841 – 3 December 1912) was a Japanese samurai of the late Edo period who went on to become a soldier, government official, and businessman in the Meiji era. He served as a karō in the Yonezawa Domain's administration.
Baron Iwamura Michitoshi (岩村 通俊; 8 July 1840 – 20 February 1915) was a Japanese statesman, active in Meiji period…Baron Iwamura Michitoshi (岩村 通俊; 8 July 1840 – 20 February 1915) was a Japanese statesman, active in Meiji period Japan. He was the first Director of the Hokkaidō Agency from 26 January 1886 through 15 June 1888.
Shibusawa Eiichi, 1st Viscount Shibusawa (渋沢 栄一; 16 March 1840 – 11 November 1931) was a Japanese business magnate…Shibusawa Eiichi, 1st Viscount Shibusawa (渋沢 栄一; 16 March 1840 – 11 November 1931) was a Japanese business magnate widely known today as the "Father of Japanese capitalism", having introduced Western capitalism to Japan after the Meiji Restoration. He introduced many economic reforms including use of double-entry accounting, joint-stock corporations and modern note-issuing banks. He founded the first modern bank based on joint stock ownership in Japan. The bank was aptly named The First National Bank (Dai Ichi Kokuritsu Ginkō, now merged into Mizuho Bank) and had the power to issue its own notes. Through this bank, he founded hundreds of other joint stock corporations in Japan. Many of these companies still survive to this day as quoted companies in the Tokyo Stock Exchange, which Shibusawa also founded. The Japanese Chamber of Commerce and Industry was founded by him as well. He was also involved in the foundation of many hospitals, schools, universities (including the first women's university), the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo and charitable organizations including the Japanese Red Cross Society. Another notable aspect of Shibusawa's career is that, despite being the founder of hundreds of corporations, he refused to maintain a controlling stake in these corporations, effectively preventing himself from forming a zaibatsu. What is known as the Shibusawa zaibatsu was a holding company to look after his estate for his family. The Shibusawa Zaibatsu did not hold any controlling stake in any companies. Despite his humble origin as a farmer, he was granted the title of Viscount, while all other zaibatsu founders were awarded the title of Baron. He was also awarded Shōnii, Second Honour under the ritsuryō rank system, which is usually given to high-ranking nobility and prime ministers. Shibusawa is featured on the 10,000 yen note, one of the new designs that went into circulation on 3 July 2024. Shibusawa was also printed on bank notes issued by the Korea First Bank, which he owned, in 1902. The choice of Shibusawa has previously been criticised in South Korea.
Baron Nagayo Sensai (長与 専斎; 16 October 1838 – 8 September 1902) was a medical doctor, educator and statesman in Meiji…Baron Nagayo Sensai (長与 専斎; 16 October 1838 – 8 September 1902) was a medical doctor, educator and statesman in Meiji period Japan.
Baron Maejima Hisoka (前島 密; 24 January 1835 – 27 April 1919), born Ueno Fusagorō (上野 房五郎), was a Japanese statesman…Baron Maejima Hisoka (前島 密; 24 January 1835 – 27 April 1919), born Ueno Fusagorō (上野 房五郎), was a Japanese statesman, politician, and businessman in Meiji-period Japan. Maejima founded the Japanese postal service, and is known as Yūbin Seido no Chichi (郵便制度の父), or "Father of the Postal System".
Etō Shinpei (江藤 新平; 18 March 1834 – 13 April 1874) was a Japanese statesman during the early Meiji period, remembered…Etō Shinpei (江藤 新平; 18 March 1834 – 13 April 1874) was a Japanese statesman during the early Meiji period, remembered chiefly for his role in the unsuccessful Saga Rebellion.
Count Ōki Takatō (大木 喬任; March 23, 1832 – September 26, 1899), was a Japanese statesman during the early Meiji period.…Count Ōki Takatō (大木 喬任; March 23, 1832 – September 26, 1899), was a Japanese statesman during the early Meiji period. He was Governor of Tokyo in 1868 and a member of the Japanese Privy Council in 1889.
Baron Nishi Amane (西周; 7 March 1829 – 30 January 1897) was a Japanese philosopher. He studied law and economics in the…Baron Nishi Amane (西周; 7 March 1829 – 30 January 1897) was a Japanese philosopher. He studied law and economics in the Netherlands. He became a political advisor to Tokugawa Yoshinobu before and after the Meiji Restoration. He served as a bureaucrat in the Ministry of War, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Popular Affairs, and the Ministry of the Imperial Household under the Meiji government. He was involved in the drafting of the Military Precepts and the Imperial Rescript to Soldiers and Sailors. With Mori Arinori and others, he formed the Meirokusha and worked to introduce Western philosophy.
Senbon Hisanobu (13 July 1827 – 15 October 1885) was a Japanese politician of the early Meiji period who served as…Senbon Hisanobu (13 July 1827 – 15 October 1885) was a Japanese politician of the early Meiji period who served as governor of Hiroshima Prefecture from 15 to 27 November 1871.
Ōmura Masujirō (大村 益次郎; May 30, 1824 – December 7, 1869) was a Japanese military leader and theorist in Bakumatsu…Ōmura Masujirō (大村 益次郎; May 30, 1824 – December 7, 1869) was a Japanese military leader and theorist in Bakumatsu period Japan. He was the "Father" of the Imperial Japanese Army, launching a modern military force closely patterned after the French system of the day.
Ijichi Ryū'emon Masaharu (Japanese: 伊地知 龍右衛門 正治; August 7, 1828 – May 23, 1886) was a Japanese samurai retainer of the…Ijichi Ryū'emon Masaharu (Japanese: 伊地知 龍右衛門 正治; August 7, 1828 – May 23, 1886) was a Japanese samurai retainer of the Shimazu clan, military strategist, and aristocrat. His imina was Sueyasu (季靖).
Viscount Enomoto Takeaki (榎本 武揚; 5 October 1836 – 26 October 1908) was a Japanese samurai and admiral of the Tokugawa…Viscount Enomoto Takeaki (榎本 武揚; 5 October 1836 – 26 October 1908) was a Japanese samurai and admiral of the Tokugawa navy of Bakumatsu period Japan, who remained faithful to the Tokugawa shogunate and fought against the new Meiji government until the end of the Boshin War. He later served in the Meiji government as one of the founders of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Katsuhiko Umehara (梅原 克彦, Umehara Katsuhiko; born 29 March 1954) is a Japanese politician who served as the mayor of…Katsuhiko Umehara (梅原 克彦, Umehara Katsuhiko; born 29 March 1954) is a Japanese politician who served as the mayor of Sendai, Miyagi. Upon graduation from the University of Tokyo in 1978, he joined the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. After leaving the ministry in 2005, he was elected mayor of Sendai in the same year.
Tatsuo Ozawa (小沢 辰男, Ozawa Tatsuo; 7 December 1916 – 13 October 2013) was a Japanese politician who served as minister…Tatsuo Ozawa (小沢 辰男, Ozawa Tatsuo; 7 December 1916 – 13 October 2013) was a Japanese politician who served as minister of health and welfare, construction minister, and head of the Environment Agency. Born in Niigata City as the son of House of Representatives member Kuniji Ozawa, and a graduate of Tokyo Imperial University's Law Department (School of Political Science), Ozawa joined the Home Ministry upon graduation. When that ministry was abolished in 1947, he was transferred to the Welfare Ministry. He first won a seat in the House of Representatives in 1960, (on an LDP ticket) and served 13 consecutive terms. In 1994, he founded the Niigata University of International and Information Studies. Ozawa founded the Reform Club (Japanese: 改革クラブ) political party in 1998, and served as its leader until his retirement from politics in 2000.
Jiang Hongjie (simplified Chinese: 江洪杰; traditional Chinese: 江洪傑; pinyin: Jiāng Hóngjié; Wade–Giles: Chiang Hung-chieh…Jiang Hongjie (simplified Chinese: 江洪杰; traditional Chinese: 江洪傑; pinyin: Jiāng Hóngjié; Wade–Giles: Chiang Hung-chieh; Hepburn: Kō Kōketsu; born 1876) was a politician, diplomat and industrialist in the late Empire of China and early Republic of China. He was also an important politician in the Reformed Government of the Republic of China. His courtesy name was Ziyin (子因).
Lü Yiwen (Chinese: 呂宜文, also known as Ro Gi-Bun; 1897–1950) was a Chinese diplomat who served as the ambassador of…Lü Yiwen (Chinese: 呂宜文, also known as Ro Gi-Bun; 1897–1950) was a Chinese diplomat who served as the ambassador of Manchukuo to Nazi Germany, since the German recognition of Manchukuo's independence in 1938. He subsequently took part in negotiating Manchukuo's entry into the Anti-Comintern Pact in 1940. Lü also served as the Manchukuo ambassador to Finland, a country that also had diplomatic relations with his country. He was accredited on 15 December 1941. In an interview with the Finnish press at the time he gave the estimate that he was the first Manchu to have ever set foot on Finnish soil. He said that although Manchus are not intimately familiar with Finland, they appreciate the country's war feats. When asked about snow and skiing, a popular Finnish pastime, he related that his large home country does get snow, but that in some places it is dry and hard and unsuitable for skiing whereas in other parts skiing is popular.
