The widely accepted theory is that Otsu was chosen because it was far away from Asuka where existed a strong resistance which would disturb the establishment of a new government system to counter the threats from overseas.
国外の脅威に対抗しうる政治体制を新たに構築するため、抵抗勢力の多い飛鳥から遠い大津を選んだとする説が有力である。