Koumou Saionji (1931)

Kinmochi Saionji Kinmochi Saionji 1849-1940 Birthplace: Kyoto Prefecture Politician, Prime Minister, Duke The words "brilliant," "liberal," "cultured man of many tastes," and "last of the elders" are used to describe Saionji. Although of noble birth, Saionji absorbed liberal ideas during his youth while studying in France, and became a politician with an international outlook. In 1906, after the Russo-Japanese War, at the age of 58, he became prime minister (the 12th prime minister and the first Saionji cabinet. He became the 14th Prime Minister and the second Saionji Cabinet), and together with Katsura Taro, he established the Katsuraen era. After that, politics did not take center stage in his political career, but when Aritomo Yamagata and Masayoshi Matsukata died in 1922 and 1924, respectively, he became the only former prime minister and effectively held the decision on the next prime minister. For the next quarter of a century, he served as the "last Ganso" and was the highest authority to answer to the Emperor's advice. (Photo by Kingendai Photo Library/AFLO)