At the time of the outbreak of the Russo-Japanese War, opposing negative group including ITO and Kaoru INOUE, he insisted on start of the war, saying that he could resolve financial concerns, and led the Council of Genro.
日露戦争の開戦に当たっては、消極派の伊藤・井上馨らに反論し、積極的に開戦を主張、財政上の懸念は解決できると豪語し、元老会議を主導した。