Haihan-chiken (abolition of feudal domains and establishment of prefectures) was carried out in July, 1871 and he became the first Tottori prefectural local governor (equivalent to the present-day prefectural governor) in November of the same year.
明治4年（1871年）7月に断行された廃藩置県を受け、同年11月に初代鳥取県権令（現在の県知事に相当）となった。