Gradually, however, Yamagata found himself unable to keep pace with the changes in the times such as when Katsura became independent (refer to Taisho Political Change), the intensification of Taisho democracy and social movements, and World War I; therefore, after Katsura's death Terauchi and Kiyoura also set off on their own paths.
だが、桂の自立（大正政変を参照）、大正デモクラシーや社会運動の高揚、第1次世界大戦など、山縣は次第に時代の変化に追いつけなくなり、桂の死後には寺内や清浦らも独自の道を歩みだすようになる。