Ito Hirobumi, Prince (1841–1909), a Japanese statesman who played a prominent role in modernizing Japan. As a young man he visited Europe and the United States, becoming a strong advocate of Westernization. Ito was four times premier of Japan during 1885–1901. He was the main author of the Japanese constitution, based primarily on the Prussian model, that was in force from 1889 to 1945. In 1895 Ito negotiated the treaty ending the Sino-Japanese War. He was made a marquis in 1895 and a prince in 1907. Ito strengthened Japan's control over Korea and as its resident general, 1905–09, adopted a policy of harsh treatment to keep the Koreans subjugated. He was assassinated by a Korean patriot.