Weary of political back-stabbing, he resigned in 1901, but remained as head of the Privy Council as the premiership alternated between Saionji Kinmochi and Katsura Tarō.
Lelah politik back-menusuk, ia mengundurkan diri pada tahun 1901, tetapi tetap sebagai kepala Privy Council sebagai perdana menteri berganti-ganti antara Saionji Kimmochi dan Katsura Tarō.