In 1935, through his close friend Kiichiro HIRANUMA, he began to associate with the generals of Kodoha (the Imperial Way group) of the army, such as Sadao ARAKI and Junzaburo MASAKI, taking a stance which was not always compatible with the political policy of Kinmochi SAIONJI.
1935年には親しかった平沼騏一郎を通じて陸軍皇道派の荒木貞夫、真崎甚三郎といった将軍と交際するようになり、西園寺公望の政治信条とは必ずしも相容れない立場をとるようになっていた。