1841-1909. Japanese politician, prime
minister 1892-96, 1898, 1900-01. He was a key
figure in the modernization of Japan and was
involved in the Meiji restoration under
Mutsuhito 1866-68 and in government missions
to the USA and Europe in the 1870s. As
minister for home affairs, he helped draft
the Meiji constitution in 1889 and oversaw
its implementation as prime minister the
following year. While resident- general in
Korea, he was assassinated by a Korean
Nationalist, which led to Japan's annexation
of that country.