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Kato Takaaki (3 January 1860 - 28 January 1926) was a Japanese politician
and the 24th Prime Minister from 11 June 1924 - 28 January 1926.
He was born at Nagoya, Aichi and commenced life as an employee in the
great firm of Mitsu Bishi. In 1887 he became private secretary to Count
Okuma, minister of state for foreign affairs. Subsequently he served as
director of a bureau in the finance department, and from 1894 to 1899 he
represented his country at the court of St James. He received the portfolio
of foreign affairs in the fourth Ito cabinet (1900 - 1901), which remained
in office only a few months. Appointed again to the same position in the
Saionji cabinet (1906), he resigned after a brief interval, being opposed to
the nationalization of the private railways, which measure the cabinet
approved. He then remained without office until 1908, when he again accepted
the post of ambassador in London. He was decorated with the grand cross of
St Michael and St George, and earned the reputation of being one of the
strongest men among the junior statesmen.
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