Matsukata Masayoshi
Shirane was born in Hagi as the younger son of a samurai in the service of Chōshū Domain. He was educated at the domain’s Meirinkan academy. After the Meiji restoration, in 1868 he travelled to Tokyo and entered the Keio Gijuku, the predecessor to Keio University. On graduation, he accepted a bureaucratic position in the Ministry of Justice, but changed to the Home Ministry shortly thereafter. He was appointed governor of Ehime Prefecture in 1888, and governor of Aichi Prefecture in 1889. After serving as Home Secretary under Saigō Tsugumichi during the 1st Yamagata Aritomo administration, he was one of twelve members of the government to be appointed to the Diet of Japan upon its opening in 1890. He continued in his post as Home Secretary under Shinagawa Yajirō in the 1st Matsukata Masayoshi administration (1891–1892). He assisted Shinagawa in using his authority as Home Minister to take police action to suppress opposition political party activities during the tumultuous Japanese General Election of 1892 by accusing candidates of sedition, and intimidating candidates and voters. Shinagawa came under much public criticism over the resulting riots and other public disturbances around Japan was forced to resign from his post. However, Shirane was not forced to resign as well despite his activities under Shingawa, and his constant attempts to undermine Shinagawa’s successor as Home Minister, Soejima Taneomi.