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Government official, statesman. Born in Shimane as the son of a samurai of the Matsue Clan. In 1892, he graduated from the Law College of the Imperial University and served in the Finance Ministry. He held posts as tax bureau director and vice-minister in the ministry and became a member of the House of Peers in 1911. In addition, he served as finance minister in the third Katsura cabinet and second Okuma cabinet. In 1924, he assumed the office of home minister in the cabinet of Takaaki Kato and worked to enact the Universal Manhood Suffrage Law. In 1926, he became prime minister. After serving as chief delegate plenipotentiary to the London Naval Conference, he resumed his post as prime minister in 1931. He opposed the war against the United States, and after the outbreak of the war, he sided with a group seeking peace.
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Wakatsuki, Reijiro 
