Because his older step brother, Iemichi KONOE, Minister of the Left, died suddenly 2 years later, he was chosen to be the successor, and he was appointed to Jusanmi (Junior Third Rank) Gon Chunagon.
2年後に異母兄である左大臣近衛家通が急死したために後継者に立てられ、従三位権中納言となる。