Colliding with Toshimichi OKUBO, Tomomi IWAKURA and their sympathizers over Seikanron (debate on subjugation of Korea), the 5 hardliners such as Shinpei ETO, Takamori SAIGO, Taneomi SOEJIMA, Taisuke ITAGAKI and Shojiro GOTO resigned from the post of Sangi (councilor) (Meiji roku-nen no Seihen (Political Upheaval of 1873)).
征韓論をめぐって、強硬派の江藤新平・西郷隆盛・副島種臣・板垣退助・後藤象二郎の5人は大久保利通・岩倉具視らと対立し参議を辞任した（明治六年政変）。