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- well-to-do son of a former samurai family
- master of "politics of compromise"
- 1900: First Secretary-General of Seiyukai
- 1904: Leader of Rikken Seiyukai (taking over from 👤 Ito Hirobumi)
- 1906-1913: Home Minister in several cabinets → powerful position enabling effect of many reforms
- tried to implement meritocracy; systematically dismissed local bureaucrats in local governments, from governors to high school principals
- any public employee under his power was replaced by someone with real ability as opposed to favoritism or nepotism
- pushed for improvements to Japan’s infrastructure (e.g. roads, schools)
- tried to implement meritocracy; systematically dismissed local bureaucrats in local governments, from governors to high school principals
- 1914: President of Rikken Seiyukai, replacing Saionji Kinmochi
- 1915: first loss of Diet majority in the general election
- 1917: regained Diet majority in the general election
- 1918-1921 Prime Minister of Japan