Info
- studied in Europe; liberal political POV, supported parliamentary government
- member of the Privy Council
- 1894-1986, 1898: Minister of Education for 2nd and 3rd Ito administrations
- 1900: One of the first Rikken Seiyukai members
- 1900 August: President of Privy Council
- 1903: President of Rikken Seiyukai
- 1906 January-1911 August, 1912 December: Prime Minister of Japan
- both ministries marked by continuing tension between arch-conservative genro 👤 Field Marshal Yamagata Aritomo
- Yamagata viewed other democratic institutions as quarrelsome, corrupt and irrational
- Saionji and Ito viewed parties as useful machinery of government
- 1908: Saionji’s first cabinet brought down by Yamagata-led conservatives
- conservatives were alarmed by the growth of socialism and communism + felt governmental suppression of socialists and communists (after parades and riots) were insufficiently forceful
- 1912: 1912-1913 Taisho Political Crisis; Saionji’s cabinet brought down again and he resigns
- both ministries marked by continuing tension between arch-conservative genro 👤 Field Marshal Yamagata Aritomo