Origins & Early Life

Viscount Takahashi Korekiyo (高橋 是清; 27 July 1854 – 26 February 1936) was a Japanese politician who served as prime minister of Japan from 1921 to 1922 and Minister of Finance when he was assassinated. He was also a member of the House of Peers and head of the Bank of Japan. Takahashi made many contributions to Japan's development during the early 20th century, including introducing its first patent system and securing foreign financing for the Russo-Japanese War. Following the onset of the Great Depression, he introduced controversial financial policies which included abandoning the gold standard, lowering interest rates, and using the Bank of Japan to finance deficit spending by the central government.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

His decision to cut government spending in 1935 led to unrest within the Japanese military, who assassinated him in February 1936. Takahashi's policies are credited for pulling Japan out of the Depression, but led to soaring inflation following his assassination, as Takahashi's successors became highly reluctant to cut off funding to the government. Takahashi was born in Edo (modern-day Tokyo), while Japan was still under the Tokugawa shogunate. He was...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

• Aletta Jacobs — Contemporary (Born in 1854) (1854): Pioneering Dutch physician and feminist, advocating for women's rights and reproductive health.
• Arthur Rimbaud — Contemporary (Born in 1854) (1854): Transgressive French poet whose work profoundly influenced modern literature and surrealism.
• Charles Algernon Parsons — Contemporary (Born in 1854) (1854): Pioneering inventor of the modern steam turbine, revolutionizing marine and electrical power.
• Abdul Qadeer Khan — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Pakistani nuclear physicist, known as the 'father of Pakistan's atomic weapons program'
• Al Oerter — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Four-time Olympic champion in the discus throw, pioneering athletic consistency.
• Alan Alda — Contemporary (Born in 1936) (1936): Esteemed American actor celebrated for M*A*S*H and decades of versatile performances.
• A. P. J. Abdul Kalam — Shared historical date (07-27 · Died) (2015): Visionary aerospace engineer, scientist, and former President of India.
• Achille Mbembe — Shared historical date (07-27 · Born) (1957): Cameroonian historian and political theorist known for work on colonialism.
• Ahmed Zewail — Shared historical date (02-26 · Born) (1946): Pioneering chemist, acclaimed as the 'father of femtochemistry'.
• Anders Chydenius — Shared historical date (02-26 · Born) (1729): Leading classical liberal and champion of free trade in 18th-century Sweden.
• 1854 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1854
• July 27 (07-27) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on July 27
• 1936 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1936
• February 26 (02-26) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on February 26