桂 太郎

桂 太郎かつら たろう（1847―1913）

長州藩士ちょうしゅうはんしの家いえに生うまれた。 フランス・ドイツに留学りゅうがくし、ドイツ軍制ぐんせいをとり入いれた兵制へいせいの改革かいかくを果はたす。
明治三十一年めいじさんじゅういちねん（1898）伊藤博文内閣いとうひろぶみないかくの陸軍大臣りくぐんだいじん。
同三十四年内閣総理大臣どうさんじゅうよねんないかくそうりだいじんに就任しゅうにん。以後いご、同四十一年どうよんじゅういちねん（1908）大正元年たいしょうがんねん（1912）と、三次さんじにわたり政権せいけんを担になった。
第一次内閣だいいちじないかくでは日英同盟にちえいどうめいを締結ていけつ、日露戦争にちろせんそうの開戦かいせんに踏ふみ切きる。第二次内閣だいにじないかくでは日露戦後にちろせんごの財政難ざいせいなんを切きり抜ぬけるなど、政治的手腕せいじてきしゅわんを発揮はっきしたが、第三次だいさんじでは、三カ月さんかげつの短命内閣たんめいないかくに終おわる。
軍人出身ぐんじんしゅっしんの政治家せいじかでありながら、人心掌握じんしんしょうあくにたけ「常つねに温顔おんがん、春風座しゅんぷうざに満みつる趣おもむきあり」と評ひょうされた。
ニコポン宰相さいしょうのニックネームもあった。獨協大学どっきょうだいがく、拓殖大学たくしょくだいがくを創設そうせつした。大正二年たいしょうにねん（1913）逝去せいきょ。
享年六十七きょうねんろくじゅうなな。

Katsura Taro （1847―1913）

He was born into a Choshu clan samurai family. He studied in France and Germany, and upon his return, he implemented significant military reforms inspired by the German military system. In 1898 (the 31st year of Meiji era), he served as the Minister of the Army in the Ito Hirofumi Cabinet. In 1901 (the 34th year of Meiji era), he assumed the position of Prime Minister. Subsequently, he held the reins of power for three non-consecutive terms, including in 1908 (the 41st year of Meiji era) and in 1912 (the first year of Taisho era).
During his first term as Prime Minister, he concluded the Anglo-Japanese Alliance and took Japan into the Russo-Japanese War. In his second term, he successfully managed Japan's post-war financial difficulties, demonstrating political skills. However, his third term was short-lived, lasting only three months.
He was a politician with a military background known for his ability to grasp the hearts and minds of the people. He was often described as "always warm-hearted, with the charm of a spring breeze." He was also nicknamed "Niko-pon Prime Minister." He founded Dokkyo University and Takushoku University. He passed away in 1913 (the 2nd year of Taisho era) at the age of 67.