Ito Hi′robu′mi, Marquis, a Japanese statesman and prime minister; born in the province of Chosu in 1840. A secret journey to Europe convinced him of the superiority of western civilization and since that time he has been one of the leaders in westernizing his native land. In 1871 he visited the United States to investigate the coinage system, and upon his return to Japan he assisted in establishing the mint at Osaka. On a second trip to Europe in 1880 he was favorably impressed with the German methods of government, and his attempts to introduce them into his own country have given him the name of the Japanese Bismarck. In 1886 he assumed the leading place in the Japanese cabinet, and, under the title of minister president of state, instituted sweeping economical reforms, and during the next two years everything was done to make Japan the Asiatic counterpart of the German empire. A reaction in 1888 resulted in Ito’s retirement from the premiership, to which, however, he was recalled in 1892. In the war with China in 1894–95 he played a leading part, being premier of the empire and high admiral of the Japanese fleet. In recognition of his services he was made a marquis. He was prominent in the conduct of the Russo-Japanese war and later was resident-general of Korea. He was assassinated by a Korean at Harbin, Manchuria, Oct. 26, 1909.
