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Statesman, who became a genro (elder statesman). Born in Yamaguchi, the son of a goshi (lower-ranked samurai) of the Hagi Clan. Together with comrades such as Shinsaku Takasugi, etc., he played an active part in the sonno joi undo (movement to revere the emperor and expel the barbarians). After the Meiji Restoration, he held such important posts as san'yo (senior counselor), taifu (senior vice minister) of Finance, sangi (councillor), industry minister, and foreign minister. In 1876, he was involved in the conclusion of the Japan-Korea Treaty of Amity as vice-ambassador extraordinary and plenipotentiary. Closely linked to business circles, including Mitsui, he was also involved in the railway business. In 1885, he became foreign minister in the first Ito cabinet. Promoting the Westernizing policy symbolized by the Rokumeikan, he worked hard aiming to revise the unequal treaties. He held important positions such as agriculture and commerce minister in the Kuroda cabinet, home minister in the second Ito cabinet and finance minister in the third Ito cabinet, and he continued to be highly esteemed as a genro (elder statesman) after retiring.
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Inoue, Kaoru 
