 Immediately on assuming office, he completely reversed the politics of his brother and declared the domain for the Meiji government and dispatched troops to fight against the pro-Tokugawa forces in the Boshin War.Samurai from the domain were active at the Battle of Utsunomiya, Battle of Hokuetsu and Battle of Aizu.Many of the undecided minor "daimyō" of Shinano were thus convinced to join the new government, which then awarded Suzaka Domain with a bonus of 5000 "koku".