KATO  , TAKA-AKIRA (1859- ),

Japanese statesman, was born at Nagoya, 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 .