Kat Takaaki

Katō Takaaki (1860–1926), also known as Katō Kōmei, was a prominent Japanese politician and diplomat who served as Prime Minister from 1924 until his death. Born into a former samurai family in Aichi Prefecture, he was adopted by the Katō family at age 13. He graduated top of his class from Tokyo University's Law Department in 1881, specializing in English common law. After working for Mitsubishi, he became an assistant manager at their Tokyo office.

Katō held several key positions, including private secretary to Ōkuma Shigenobu and director of the Finance Ministry's Banking Bureau. He served as Japan's envoy to the United Kingdom from 1894–1899 and later as Foreign Minister under Itō Hirobumi. He played a significant role in establishing the Anglo-Japanese Alliance in 1902. During his tenure, he also created controversy by issuing the Twenty-One Demands to China in 1915.

As Prime Minister, Katō's cabinet focused on reforms, including the General Election Law of 1925, which extended male suffrage to age 25, and the Peace Preservation Law, targeting leftist groups. He also ratified the Soviet–Japanese Basic Convention and introduced universal military service. Despite his efforts to reduce government spending, he faced criticism for ties to Mitsubishi.

Katō died in office from pneumonia in 1926. His honors included titles such as Baron (1911) and Viscount (1916), with posthumous promotions to Count and Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum later that year.