In February 1880, the posts of Councilor and Minister were separated at the proposal of Ito, which Okuma showed his approval by appointing Tsunetami SANO as his successor and assigning himself to 'Kaikeibu Bunsho (a officer of accounting section)' (administrator of fiscal policy).
1880年2月に伊藤博文の提案で参議と卿の分離が実施され、大隈は同郷の佐野常民を後任として自らを「会計部分掌」（財政担当）参議とすることでこれを受け入れた。