In 1898, he formed Dobunkai (an association to study about issues related to China), then Dobunkai and Toakai which was formed by Tsuyoshi INUKAI merged and became Toadobunkai (an association of Pan-Asianism) and Atsumaro KONOE became the president.
1898年（明治31年）に同文会を設立したが、同文会は、犬養毅の東亜会と合併して東亜同文会となり近衛篤麿は同会の会長に就任する。