Diplomat, statesman and aide to Emperor Showa. The second son of OKUBO Toshimichi, he took over as the head of the Makino family. In 1871, he accompanied the Iwakura Mission, then entered the Kaisei School after returning to Japan, but dropped out in 1879. He joined the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and worked at the Japanese legation in London. In 1906, he became the Minister of Education in the 1st Saionji Cabinet, then later became Privy Councilor, the Minister of Agriculture and Commerce and the Minister of Education in the 2nd Saionji Cabinet, and the Minister of Foreign Affairs in the 1st Yamamoto Cabinet. In 1921, he became the Minister of the Imperial Household and in 1925 became the Minister of Home Affairs and was conferred the title of Earl.