Saionji tried to diminish the influence of the Imperial Japanese Army in political issues. He was one of the most liberal of Emperor Hirohito's advisors, and favored friendly relations with Great Britain and the United States. However, he was careful to pick his battles, and would concede defeat when he knew he could not win (e.g. his inability to prevent the Tripartite Pact). Political scientist Kenneth Colegrove wrote in 1936 that Saionji had "extensive" influence over Japanese politics. Honours From the corresponding article in the Japanese Wikipedia Titles Count (7 July 1884) Marquess (xx1911) Prince (7 September 1920) Japanese decorations Grand Cordon of the Order of the Sacred Treasure (21 June 1895) Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun with Paulownia Flowers (14 September 1907) Grand Cordon of the Order of the Rising Sun (5 June 1896) Second Class of the Order of the Rising Sun (29 May 1888) Third Class of the Order of the Rising Sun (11 March 1882) Collar of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (10 November 1928) Grand Cordon of the Order of the Chrysanthemum (21 December 1918) Other decorations Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Pius IX (25 February 1888) Knight First Class of the Order of the Iron Crown (9 May 1888) Knight Grand Cross of the Order of the Netherlands Lion (16 March 1891) 1st Class of the Order of the Red Eagle (15 October 1891) First Class of the Order of the Medjidie (8 March 1894) Order of the White Eagle (17 March 1896) Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III (10 November 1896) Honorary Knight Grand Cross of the Order of St. Michael and St. George (GCMG) (20 February 1906) Grand Cross of the Legion of Honour (23 October 1907) Order of St. Alexander Nevsky (30 October 1907) Order of precedence Junior First Rank (25 November 1940; posthumous) Senior second rank (20 December 1898) Second rank (11 December 1893) Senior third rank (19 December 1878; restored) Senior third rank (5 of 7th month 1862; relinquished 3rd of 7th 1869) Third rank (25 April 1861) Senior fourth rank, junior grade (5 February 1856) Fourth rank, senior grade (22 January 1855) Fourth rank, junior grade (22 January 1854) Senior fifth rank, junior grade (21 January 1853) Fifth rank, senior grade (27 December 1852) Fifth rank, junior grade (early 1852) Ancestry See also List of Japanese ministers, envoys and ambassadors