Ito Hirobumi becomes the first Prime Minister of Japan

22 Dec 2016 Thu

On 22nd December 1885 Japan gets its first Prime Minister, Ito Hirobumi. He was one of the most famous Meiji statesmen, a samurai of Choshu domain, four-time Prime Minister of Japan (the 1st, 5th, 7th and 10th), a genro (elder statesman) and a Resident-General of Korea!



With such a dynamic personality, Ito Hirobumi was one of the few who played a crucial role in building the modern Japan. He helped draft the Meiji constitution. Prior to the adoption of the Meiji Constitution, Japan had in practice no written constitution.



Japan was following a Chinese inspired legal system called as “Ritsuryo” and under this, the Daijo-daijin (Chancellor of the Realm) was the head of the Daijo-kan (Department of State), the highest organ of Japan's pre-modern Imperial government. In practice the ritsuryo system of government had become just an empty shell of formalities and the high positions did not care to govern and the emperor was de-powered and set aside as a symbolic figure who "reigned, but did not rule".



An obvious need was felt for a proper system of governance and Japan’s leaders sought to create a constitution that would define Japan as a capable, modern nation deserving of Western respect while preserving their own power. A committee was established for drafting the constitution and Ito Hirobumi was one of the key figures in it.



The Council of State was replaced in 1885 with a cabinet headed by Ito Hirobumi as Prime Minister. The Meiji Constitution was enacted 4 years later and its current form was officially adopted in 1947.



Ito Hirobumi was honoured on 1000 Yen note in 1963. The obverse has the portrait of Prince Ito Hirobumi and the reverse has the old headquarters of Nippon Ginko - Bank of Japan, Tokyo.