He returned, in response to Hirobumi ITO's request, and served as Gaimukyo (chief of Foreign Ministry), Minister of Foreign Affairs, Minister of Agriculture and Commerce, Minister of Home Affairs, Minister of Finance, after having been a businessman for a while, founding Senshu company backed by Mitsui Group.
一時は三井組を背景に先収会社を設立するなどして実業界にあったが、伊藤博文の強い要請のもと復帰し、外務卿、外務大臣、農商務大臣、内務大臣、大蔵大臣を歴任。