Katō Haruji

Haruji Kato (March 17, 1864 [Bunkyu 4, February 10] – December 24, 1942 [Showa 17]) was a Japanese nobility member, the wife of Prime Minister Takashi Kato. Her birth name is also recorded as Haruji.

Life

Haruji Kato was born in 1864 (Bunkyu 4) as the eldest daughter of Iwasaki Yataro. There are no detailed records regarding her place of birth, but the Iwasaki family is known as the founding family of the Mitsubishi Zaibatsu.

Details about her education and childhood are not documented.

Marriage and Family

In 1886 (Meiji 19), she married Takashi Kato, who was serving as a vice manager at Mitsubishi headquarters and was an diplomat. Through her marriage, the connection between the Iwasaki family and Takashi Kato was established. Her marriage is considered an important family alliance within the industrial, commercial, and political sectors.

Takashi Kato later became the 24th Prime Minister of Japan.

Children

Haruji Kato and Takashi Kato had three children. Their eldest daughter, Etsuko, married Nagakage Okabe. Their eldest son died young. Their second son, Atsutaro, worked at Mitsubishi Goshi Kaisha (Mitsubishi trading company) and Mitsubishi Bank. Later, he served as a director at To-mei Kasai Kaijoho Insurance (now Nikkin Kasai Kaisho Insurance), a Mitsubishi-affiliated fire and marine insurance company.

Later Years and Death

In the 1930s and 1940s, she suffered from health issues. From mid-1942, she began experiencing gastrointestinal problems and continued to recover at her separate residence located in Mikawadai-cho, Azabu ward (present-day Roppongi, Minato-ku, Tokyo). She also suffered from angina pectoris. She died on December 24, 1942, at the age of 78. The exact location of her death is said to be her separate residence.