As 'persons who made distinguished contributions to the nation,' Hirobumi ITO, Kiyotaka KURODA, Kaoru INOUE, Tsugumichi SAIGO, Aritomo YAMAGATA, and Iwao OYAMA, all of whom contributed significantly to the Meiji Restoration, were ranked as hakushaku.
また「国家に勲功ある者」として、伊藤博文・黒田清隆・井上馨・西郷従道・山県有朋・大山巌等といった維新の元勲達が伯爵に叙された。