Kinmochi SAIONJI, the president of Rikken Seiyukai (Friends of Constitutional Government Party), became Prime Minister, succeeding to Taro KATSURA, based on the promise made between them during the Russo-Japanese War (since Katsura was afraid of Genro [elder statesmen]'s interference, he didn't assemble Council of Genro: he only got the approval from Hirobumi ITO and Kaoru INOUE, both of whom were Saionji's guardians, for that transfer of power).
日露戦争中に桂太郎との間で交わされた約束によって立憲政友会総裁である西園寺公望が後継に就任した（なお、この禅譲は元老の干渉を恐れた桂が事前に西園寺の後見人である伊藤博文と井上馨の許可を取ったのみで、元老会議は召集されなかった）。