From descriptions in the "Nihonshoki", it is believed that the chiefs of Kibi, Harima, and Ise rebelled against the Yamato Kingdom sometime around the latter half of the fifth century and it was during this period that King Wakatakeru appeared and strengthened the political power of the Yamato Kingdom over the regional chiefs with its increased military strength.
日本書紀の記述から、5世紀後半には吉備や播磨、伊勢などの首長がヤマト王権へ対抗するなどの動きがあったと推測されており、そうした中で登場したワカタケル王は強化した軍事力をもとに各地の首長への支配力を強めていった。