In 1873, Itagaki advocated Seikanron (debate on subjugation of Korea), but eventually gave in to Tomomi IWAKURA and other returnees from visitation to the West who took a prudent stance considering international relationships with Europe and America, resulting in the split of the new government.
明治6年（1873年）に征韓論を主張するが欧米視察から帰国した岩倉具視らの欧米諸国家との国際関係を配慮した慎重論に敗れ、新政府は真っ二つに分裂。