1838-1922. Japanese soldier, politician, and
prime minister 1889-93 and 1898. As war
minister 1873 and chief of the imperial
general staff 1878, he was largely
responsible for the modernization of the
military system. He returned as chief of
staff during the Russo-Japanese War 1904-05
and remained an influential political figure
until he was disgraced in 1921 for having
meddled in the marriage arrangements of the
crown prince.