Entering the Showa period it replaced the genro (elder statesman), fulfilled a major role in recommending Prime Ministers, and held power not only in the imperial court, but in the government as well.
昭和に入ると元老に代わって、首相の奏薦に大きな役割を果たし、宮中だけでなく府中（政府内）にも力を持った。