Ijūin Hikokichi

Baron Ijūin Hikokichi (伊集院 彦吉, Ijūin Hikokichi; 22 July 1864 – 26 April 1924) was a Japanese diplomat and politician who served as minister of foreign affairs and Japanese ambassador to the Qing dynasty.

Early life Ijūin was born on 22 July 1864, in Kōrai, Kagoshima, Satsuma Domain, the eldest son of samurai Ijūin Kichitsugu.

Career Ijūin was appointed consul at Yantai in China in 1893. On 4 September 1909, he signed the Japan–China Agreement concerning Kando as the Japanese ambassador to the Qing dynasty in Beijing. During the 1911 Revolution that broke out in October 1911, together with then Foreign Minister Uchida Yasuya, he argued for the provision of support to the Qing government. His term as ambassador to China lasted until 1913.

Then, Ijūin was appointed the Japanese ambassador to Italy in 1916 and was in office until 1920.

Japanese delegates to the Paris Peace Conference in 1919. Standing (l to r) - Ijūin Hikokichi, Japanese Ambassador to Italy; and Keishirō Matsui, Japanese Ambassador to France; Seated (l to r) - Baron Makino Nobuaki, former Foreign Minister; Marquis Saionji Kinmochi, former Prime Minister; and Viscount Chinda Sutemi, Japanese Ambassador to Great Britain.

Prime Minister Hara Takashi wanted Ijūin to search for European institutions of public information when the latter was ambassador and a Versailles delegate. Ijūin reported that the best way to create an influential information bureau was to coordinate all information sources, including army, navy and finance ministry. Then he served as governor-general of Kwantung Leased Territory in northeastern China for one year. He was appointed to the post on 8 September 1922, replacing Isaburō Yamagata. Ijūin was in office until 19 September 1923.

Ijūin was appointed minister of foreign affairs on 19 September 1923 to the second cabinet of Yamamoto Gombee, replacing him who also assumed the role of foreign minister briefly from 2 to 19 September.