When a powerful Minister of the Right, FUJIWARA no Fuhito, died in September of the same year, Prince Toneri was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and established the administration of the Imperial Family together with the Minister of the Right (later of the Left) Prince Nagaya.
同年8月、実力者であった右大臣藤原不比等薨去に伴い知太政官事に就任、右大臣（後、左大臣）の長屋王とともに皇親政権を樹立する。