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- Ito Hirobumi - Student Encyclopedia (Ages 11 and up)
(1841-1909).When the European-style cabinet system of government was formed in Japan in 1885, Ito Hirobumi became the country’s first prime minister. But his most enduring contribution to his country was the drafting of the Meiji constitution. This constitution made Japan the first non-Western country to adopt a freely chosen constitutional government. Ito served as prime minister four times: in 1885-88, 1892-96, 1898, and 1900-01. He was made a marquess (a title of nobility) in 1884 and a duke (or prince) in 1907.