 The merger gave the "Kenseikai" a total of 198 seats in the Lower House of the Diet of Japan, thus forming a majority, and raised the expectation that Katō Takaaki would become the next Prime Minister.However, the position of Prime Minister was a direct appointment from the Emperor per advice provided by the "genrō", and in this case, the "genrō" unexpectedly nominated General Terauchi Masatake instead.In protest, the "Kenseikai" initiated a no confidence motion, which subsequently dissolved the Diet and led to the political isolation of the "Kenseikai" for almost a decade.