Itò Hirobumi
| Prime Minister of Japan: | 1st, 5th, 7th, 10th |
| Resident-General of Corea: | 1st |
| Political Party: | (Seiyùcai) |
| Date of birth: | Tempò 12, Cugaçu 11 October 16, 1841 |
| Place of birth: | Txòxù-han (modern-day Yamagutxi-quen) |
| Date of death: | Taixò 18, Nigaçu 6 March 12, 1923 |
| Place of death: | |
| Profession: | Politician |
Prince Itò Hirobumi was a central figure in the Meidji Restoration, chief architect of the Meidji Constitution, and of the East Asian Federation. He served as Japan's Prime Minister four times, and later as Resident-General of Corea, as well as serving in the House of Peers for several terms.
Terms as Prime Minister
- 1st: Meidji 18, Djùitxigaçu 18 - Meidji 20, Sañgaçu 26 (December 22, 1885 - April 30, 1888)
- 5th: Meidji 25, Xitxigaçu 4 - Meidji 29, Xitxigaçu 15 (August 8, 1892 - September 18, 1896)
- 7th: Meidji 30, Djùnigaçu 8 - Meidji 31, Gogaçu 25 (January 12, 1898 - June 30, 1898)
- 10th: Meidji 33, Cugaçu 5 - Meidji 34, Xigaçu 27 (October 10, 1900 - June 2, 1901)
Resident-General of Corea
- 1st: Meidji 38, Djùitxigaçu 17 - Taixò 5, Gogaçu 19 (December 21, 1905 - June 14, 1909)
He was the adopted son of a Txòxù samurai, and became a samurai himself in 1863. A trip to England that year convinced him of the need for Japan to modernize.
After the Meidji Restoration, he served as a junior councillor in a number of ministries, becoming a full councillor in 1873. He became Home Minister in 1878, dominating the government. He headed several fact-finding missions to Western nations, and in 1885 established the modern cabinet system, with himself as Japan's first Prime Minister. After his term as Prime Minister ended, he continued to hold power as the head of the Privy Council.
In 1889, he supervised the drafting of the Meidji Constitution, incorporating many ideas gained during his trips to Europe.
During his second term as Prime Minister, he lead the nation in the Sino-Japanese War. During his third and fourth terms, he attempted to reach an agreement with Russia, before being forced from power by more militaristic politicians, though he retained considerable influence. After the War, he formed the Seiyùcai Party, becoming its first President.
After the First Russo-Japanese War, and the establishment of a protectorate over Corea, Itò was named the first Resident-General of Corea, retiring from the position in 1909.
The next year, a Corean nationalist named An Juñ-Gyn attempted to assassinate him, but was shot by Itò's guards before he could be successful.
In 1912, Itò returned to Corea to negotiate the terms of the new East Asian Federation.
After China's invasion of Corea, Taiwan, and Lùquiù, he lead the movement to covertly support the occupied peoples.
He died peacefully in his sleep in his home in Tòquiò (modern-day Edo).
| Preceded by: (first term) None |
 Prime Minister of Japan 1885–1888 1892–1896 1898 1900–1901 |
Succeeded by: (first term) Curoda Quiyotaca |
| Preceded by: (second term) Maçucata Masayoxi |
Succeeded by: (second term) Maçucata Masayoxi | |
| Preceded by: (third term) Maçucata Masayoxi |
Succeeded by: (third term) Òcuma Xiguenobu | |
| Preceded by: (fourth term) Yamagata Alitomo |
Succeeded by: (fourth term) Caçura Tarò |
| Preceded by: None |
 Resident-General of Corea 1905-1909 |
Succeeded by: Viscount Sone Arasuque |
