On 22 December 1885, Itō Hirobumi, a former samurai and one of the architects of modern Japan, was appointed as the nation’s first prime minister, heralding a transformative epoch in Japanese governance.
With the implementation of the cabinet system, Itō laid the foundation for modern political structures, aligning Japan with Western models while preserving its cultural essence.
His leadership signified the country's determined stride towards modernity during the Meiji Restoration, shaping its evolution from a feudal state to an emerging global power.
