Tomoko Yamagata

Yamamoto Tomoko (June 13, 1851 (Kaei 4, May 14) – September 12, 1893 (Meiji 26)) was a woman during Japan's Meiji period and the wife of Yamagata Aritomo (the Prime Minister), holding the position of Prime Minister's wife. She was from Choshu Domain (present-day Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture).

Regarding her life, she was born in 1851 as the daughter of a village headman in what is now Yutaka, Shimonoseki City, Yamaguchi Prefecture. In 1868 (Keiō 4), her marriage was approved by her father after Yamagata Aritomo, who would later become Prime Minister, was appointed commander of the Kiheitai militia. At that time, Tomoko was 16 years old and Aritomo was 29. After their marriage, the couple lived together and had seven children, but all except their eldest daughter, Matsuko, died young.

Tomoko fulfilled her role as the Prime Minister’s wife during the period when Yamagata Aritomo served as Prime Minister in the first Yamagata Cabinet until May 6, 1891 (Meiji 24). Records show that she supported her husband's public duties during this period.

She died of pneumonia on September 12, 1893 (Meiji 26) at the age of 42. After her death, Aritomo attempted to remarry with a geisha named Sadako, but they never officially registered their marriage.