In 1299 he became Udaijin (minister of the right) and also succeeded his father Sanekane as Kanto moshitsugi (court-appointed liaison with the bakufu), and then he fully demonstrated his power over the struggle for succession to the Imperial Throne between the Daikakuji-to (imperial lineage starting with Emperor Kameyama) and the Jimyoin-to (imperial lineage from Emperor Gofukakusa to Emperor Gokomatsu).
1299年（正安元年）のとき右大臣に就き、更に父実兼の関東申次を継ぎ、大覚寺統・持明院統問題に際して権力を振りかざす。