Kuroda was later put in charge of settlement efforts in Hokkaido, where he lived from 1870 to 1882, commuting to and from Tokyo to report to the government. In 1878, he became leader of the Satsuma clan following the death of Okubo Toshimichi. Shortly before he left office in Hokkaido, Kuroda was accused of selling government property.
He became prime minister in 1888 and oversaw the promulgation of the Meiji Constitution: however, he was forced to resign the following year after making several momentous blunders in treaty negotiations. He later became a genro, Communications Minister, and chairman of the Privy Council.