Mutsu is said to have been felt less confident by the Emperor Meiji because he had once been considered a ringleader of the Risshisha no goku (Imprisonment of the Risshisha [Self-reliance Association]) (the Emperor Meiji agreed about his assumption of a Minister of Agriculture and Commerce in the First Yamagata cabinet but showed annoyance.), however, Ito highly appreciated his ability.
陸奥はかつて立志社の獄の首謀者とされた事から明治天皇の信任が薄かったとされている（第1次山縣内閣の農商務大臣就任には、明治天皇は同意こそしたものの不快感を示している）が、伊藤はその能力を高く買っていたのである。