It is said that it was an agonizing choice, prompted by his awareness of his position as the head of Gosekke and to keep the Imperial family safe by preventing responsibility for the war from falling on Emperor Showa.
昭和天皇に戦争責任が及ばないようにという、皇室の藩籬として、そして五摂家筆頭としての自覚が促した、苦渋の選択だったという。