Background
Yakichi was born on January 16, 1836 to a lower-ranked samurai family in Yuda, Chōshū Domain (present day Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Prefecture).
Yakichi was born on January 16, 1836 to a lower-ranked samurai family in Yuda, Chōshū Domain (present day Yamaguchi, Yamaguchi Prefecture).
Inoue attended the Meirinkan Domain school with his brother Ikutarō .
He was a bosom friend of his fellow-clansman Prince Ito, and the two youths visited England in 1863, serving as common sailors during the voyage.
They repaired to the British legation in Yedo and begged that the allied squadron, then about to sail for Shimonoseki to call Choshu to account, should be delayed that they might have an opportunity of advising the fief to make timely submission.
One of the planners of the Meiji Restoration (1868), he particiapted in the work of land tax revision, served as foreign minister, home minister, and finance minister, and was one of the original Genro.
In 1907 he was raised to the rank of marquess.
He served as : Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan - December 1885 – September 1887, Minister of Agriculture and Commerce - July 1888 – December 1898
Home Minister - August 1892 – October 1894, Finance Minister - January 1898 – June 1898.
