In 1937, Saionji asked permission to resign from his position as a Genro when Kazushige UGAKI, who received an order to form a cabinet, failed because of resistance from the military.
昭和12年（1937年）、組閣大命を受けた宇垣一成の組閣が軍部の反対により失敗すると、西園寺は元老辞退を申し出た。