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.
Prime Minister Saionji Kinmochi's attempt to reduce defense spending led to Army Minister Uehara Yūsaku resigning in protest because the constitution required an active-duty general for the position, but no eligible general of the Imperial Army was willing to serve.