Saigō Takamori and his supporters insisted that Japan confront Korea due to the latter's refusal to recognize the legitimacy of Emperor Meiji as head of state of the Empire of Japan, and insulting treatment meted out to Japanese envoys attempting to establish trade and diplomatic relations. The war party also saw the issue in Korea as an ideal opportunity to find meaningful employment for the thousands of out-of-work "samurai", who had lost most of their income and social standing in the new Meiji social and economic order. These samurai posed a threat to the government, and as a "samurai" himself Saigō sympathized with their situation.