During the Heian period, however, imperial princes were appointed but did not actually go to the post in most cases, while the next position, Dazai gon no sochi, attended actual government affairs (when an ex-minister was demoted, he did not have power over practical affairs).
しかし平安時代には親王が任命されて実際には赴任しないケースが大半となり、次席である大宰権帥が実際の政務を取り仕切った（ただし、大臣経験者が左遷された場合、実務権限はない）。