The government came into conflict with the Joseon Dynasty of Korea about whether or not they accept the sovereign's message, and then "Seikanron" (the dispute about conquering Korea by military force) occurred in 1873, dividing the Japanese government.
李氏朝鮮との間では国書受け入れを巡って紛争が起こり、1873年政府を二分する論争（いわゆる征韓論）となった。