Iwakura Mission
After the Meiji Restoration, Sasaki served the Meiji government as "sangi" (councilor) and "taifu" (senior vice minister) of the Ministry of Justice. In 1871, Sasaki was selected to be a member of the Iwakura Mission, and traveled around the globe. On his return, he found that many of his countrymen had quit the government over the "Seikanron" debate; however, Sasaki chose to remain in the Genrōin as an active member of the new government.