 This coincided with a period of considerable controversy over the role of the monarchy in Japan, especially centered around the works of Tatsukichi Minobe, a professor of constitutional law at Tokyo Imperial University and one of Ichiki’s former students.After the assassination of former Prime Minister Saitō Makoto in the February 26 Incident in 1936, he held the post of Lord Keeper of the Privy Seal of Japan for 1 day only on 6 March 1936, as an interim measure, but was effectively forced into retirement by his political nemesis, Hiranuma Kiichirō.He retired to his native Kakegawa, and on his death was awarded with the Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of the Chrysanthemum.