When Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi, who was appointed Prime Minister by Emperor Meiji and continued in that post after his death, attempted to cut defense spending, Army Minister Uehara Yūsaku resigned in protest. The constitution required that the Army Minister to be an active-duty general; however, no eligible general of the Imperial Army was willing to serve.
The conflict arose from Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi's attempt to reduce defense spending, which was met with opposition from Army Minister Uehara Yūsaku who resigned in protest because the constitution mandated that the Army Minister be an active-duty general. However, no eligible general of the Imperial Army was willing to take on the role.