However, his sixth son Prince Shirakabe (Shirakabe no Okimi), who after his death had married the Emperor Shomu's daughter the Imperial Princess Inoe and fathered Prince Osabe (of Tenmu's line on the mother's side), was supported by agreement among ministers and councilors and ascended to the throne as the Emperor Konin in 770.
が、薨去後の宝亀元年（770年）に、聖武天皇の娘井上内親王を后とし、母系では天武系となる他戸親王を儲けていた第6皇子の白壁王が、大臣、参議らの協議により擁立され、光仁天皇として即位した。