In April, Empress Koken asked her vassals who should be the new prince, then Udaijin (Minister of the Right) FUJIWARA no Toyonari recommended Prince Shioyaki and Komaro recommended Prince Ikeda, but Empress's intension was Emperor Junnin, who was recommended by Shibirei (Director General of Shibi Institution) FUJIWARA no Nakamaro, so Prince Oi was selected as a new prince.
4月、孝謙天皇は群臣に新太子を諮り、右大臣藤原豊成は塩焼王を適当とし、古麻呂は池田王を推したが、天皇の意中は紫微令藤原仲麻呂の推す淳仁天皇であったため、大炊王が立太子された。