120821-0003 - Kinmochi Saionji

Kinmochi Saionji (西園寺公望, 1849–1940) was a Japanese politician, statesman and twice Prime Minister of Japan. He was one the most liberal of Japanese major political figures of his generation. He founded Ritsumeikan University in 1869 (Meiji 2) and Meiji Law School, which later evolved into Meiji University in 1880 (Meiji 13). Saionji was appointed genro (元老, extraconstitutional advisor to the emperor) in 1913 (Taisho 2).