Kaoru INOUE, who had left the government to start a business in Osaka at the time, was concerned about this situation, and with the recognition of the necessity of cooperation between Okubo, Kido and Itagaki to break the political chaos, he attempted to mediate between them with his sworn friend, Hirobumi ITO.
当時官界を去り、大阪で実業界に入っていた井上馨は、この情勢を憂い、混迷する政局を打開するには大久保・木戸・板垣による連携が必要であるとの認識を抱き、盟友の伊藤博文とともに仲介役を試みる。