JAPAN’S NEW PREMIER.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 104, 1 April 1926, Page 8

JAPAN’S NEW PREMIER.

SON OF POOH FAMILY.

ONCE A SCHOOL-TEACHER,

TOKIO, March 20. Reijiro Wakatsuki, Premier of Japan, through the sudden death of his clieif, the late Count Kato, is the second untitled man to reach the Premiership. Bike Count Kato, he is of humble birth, the son of an impecunious family of tihizoku, of the Matsuyo clan of. tlio Province of Izumo. He worked his way through college, whore he distinguished himself through his scholarship and his retiring nature, few of his class-mates even becoming acquainted with him. His high marks at college won him a small Government position as excise officer, and later as clerk in the Finance Department. His ability won recognition, and he rose steadily until ho became Vice-Minister of Finalise in 11103, and, when Prince Katsura formed his Cabinet lie invited Mr Wakatsuki to enter it as .finance Minister.

He was Count Kato’s choice for Home Minisf.er when the (coalition Cabinet was formed two years ago, ho became Vice-Minister of Finance leaned upon him heavily in shaping both his domestic social policy and his financial policy. The Premier was born in February, 186(5, and is in every way a self-made man. His first work, at the age of 15, was to teacli school for a salary of yen 4.50 (2.25 dollars) a month, his age being overlooked because of the scarcity of teachers, the public school system having been then just widely extended. His hobby is archery, and he is a skilful bowman.