Tokugawa Iesato

Tokugawa Iesato
徳川 家達
President of the House of Peers
In office
4 December 1903  9 June 1933
MonarchsMeiji
Taishō
Shōwa
Preceded byPrince Konoe Atsumaro
Succeeded byPrince Konoe Fumimaro
Personal details
Born
Tokugawa Kamenosuke

(1863-08-24)August 24, 1863
Edo, Tokugawa Shogunate
DiedJune 5, 1940(1940-06-05) (aged 76)
Sendagaya, Tokyo, Japan
Spouse
Konoe Hiroko (1867–1944)
(m. 1882)
Children
Alma materEton College

Prince Tokugawa Iesato (徳川 家達; August 24, 1863 – June 5, 1940) was the first head of the Tokugawa clan after the overthrow of the Tokugawa shogunate, and a significant figure in Japanese politics and diplomacy during the Meiji, Taishō and early Shōwa period of Japan. When Prince Tokugawa travelled to other nations representing Japan during his diplomatic journeys, he usually presented his name as Prince Iyesato Tokugawa. For 30 years, Prince Tokugawa held office as President of the House of Peers, the upper chamber of Japan's National Diet. In this capacity, Tokugawa promoted democratic principles and international goodwill. It was only after his death in 1940 that Japanese militants were able to push Japan into joining the Axis Powers in World War II.