Kausea Natano vs Okubo Toshimichi

Natano was elected Prime Minister after the 2019 general election, succeeding Enele Sopoaga. He formed a government committed to continuing Tuvalu's climate activism and strengthening ties with international partners.

Natano supported constitutional amendments to declare Tuvalu's statehood permanent regardless of sea-level rise. The amendment aimed to ensure Tuvalu's continued recognition as a sovereign state even if its physical territory becomes uninhabitable.

Natano signed a bilateral treaty with Australia establishing the Falepili Union, which provided Tuvalu with climate resilience funding and a pathway for Tuvaluans to migrate to Australia. The treaty also included security cooperation provisions.

Natano was defeated in the 2024 Tuvaluan general election, losing his parliamentary seat. Feleti Teo succeeded him as Prime Minister, ending Natano's term.

As Finance Minister, Okubo oversaw the Land Tax Reform of 1873, which replaced the feudal land tax with a modern monetary tax system. This reform stabilized government finances and facilitated the transition to a capitalist economy.

Okubo created the Home Ministry (Naimusho) to centralize administrative control over local governments. The ministry oversaw police, public works, and local administration, strengthening the central government's authority.

Okubo argued against the proposal to invade Korea (Seikanron), advocating instead for domestic reforms. His opposition prevailed, leading to the resignation of Saigo Takamori and other expansionists, and solidifying the Meiji government's focus on internal modernization.

Okubo, as a key leader of the Meiji government, directed the suppression of the Satsuma Rebellion led by Saigo Takamori. The government's victory ended the last major samurai uprising and consolidated imperial rule.

Okubo was assassinated by samurai from the Satsuma domain who opposed his policies of centralization and Westernization. His death removed a key figure from the Meiji government, but his reforms continued.