 From 1894 to 1898, under the 2nd and 3rd Itō administrations, Matsuoka served as Vice-Minister for the Home Ministry, participating in numerous committees and bureaus.Under the Saionji administration (1906–1908), Matsuoka was appointed Minister of Agriculture and Commerce.In August 1917, Matsuoka was awarded the title of baron ("danshaku") in the "kazoku" peerage.