The Kuhara Mining Company managed by his younger brother-in-law, Fusanosuke KUHARA, was on the verge of bankruptcy due to the economic depression after the World War I and KUHARA's entrance into politics, so AYUKAWA reluctantly agreed to take over the position at the request from Giichi TANAKA (Army General) of the Seiyu Party and others, who wished for reconstruction of the company.
義弟久原房之助の経営する久原鉱業は、当時は、第一次世界大戦後の恐慌と久原の政界入りで経営破綻に瀕していたが、政友会の田中義一（陸軍大将）らの再建の懇請にしぶしぶ応じたもの。