After the Meiji Restoration, accompanied the Iwakura Mission to the United States and Europe, remaining in Germany for studies.

On his return to Japan, he worked as a translator at the Foreign Ministry, and subsequently served on the Cabinet Legislation Bureau.

He was later promoted to Director of the Local Affairs Bureau within the Home Ministry, and rose to the post of Vice Minister.

His chief achievement was to bring about the collapse of the Saionji administration by creating a budgetary deadlock over railroad funding at the behest of Yamagata Aritomo.

Although considered to be the leading candidate to replace Hasegawa, Yamagata was removed from office during the government reorganization following the March 1 Movement in 1919.