The emperor persevered in affairs of state even after he became 70 years old, but after Imperial Princess Noto, his first Princess, died in February 781, he deteriorated suddenly both physically and mentally and abdicated the throne to his crown prince for health reasons in May of the same year.
70歳を超えても政務に精励したが、天応元年（781年）2月第一皇女能登内親王に先立たれてから心身ともに俄かに衰え、同年4月、病を理由に皇太子に譲位。