Aritomo Yamagata Japanese military and statesman Date of Birth: 14.06.1838 Country: Japan

1. Early Life and Military Career
2. Suppression of the Satsuma Rebellion
3. Political Career
4. Sino-Japanese War and Korean Peninsula
5. Second Term as Prime Minister
6. Russo-Japanese War

Early Life and Military Career

Aritomo Yamagata was born into a samurai family in Hagi, the capital of the Choshu domain (now Yamaguchi Prefecture). In 1869, he was sent to Europe to study military organization. Upon his return in 1873, he became Minister of War and initiated the restructuring of the Japanese army based on the Prussian model.

Suppression of the Satsuma Rebellion

Yamagata played a pivotal role in suppressing the Satsuma Rebellion of 1877, led by Saigo Takamori. He convinced Emperor Meiji to create a General Staff directly subordinate to the Emperor. In 1878, he became Chief of the General Staff.

Political Career

In 1883, Yamagata was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs. From December 24, 1889, to May 6, 1891, he served as Prime Minister of Japan. However, he resigned due to conflicts with the first Japanese Parliament. Shortly after his resignation, he became one of the Emperor's advisors (genro).

Sino-Japanese War and Korean Peninsula

During the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, Yamagata commanded the First Japanese Army. In 1896, he signed the Lobanov-Yamagata Protocol on Korea.

Second Term as Prime Minister

Yamagata became Prime Minister again in 1898 and remained in office until October 1900. He passed a law that restricted the appointment of Ministers of the Army and Navy to active-duty military personnel. This law granted the military near-complete autonomy from civilian control.

Russo-Japanese War

During the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905, Yamagata served as Chief of the General Staff once more. After the war, he retired from active politics but remained an influential figure until his death in 1922.