As a result of the confinement of the Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa and the exile of high officials by Kiyomori the following year, Michichika was promoted to Sangi (councillor), and, together with the Taira family, he expressed his approval of disposing Prince Mochihito and transfer of the capital to Fukuhara-kyo and confronted Kanezane KUJO of the Sekkan-ke (the families which produced regents) and his cronies (representative one is FUJIWARA no Teika).
翌年の清盛による後白河法皇幽閉とその後の高官追放の影響を受けて参議に昇進、以仁王の乱追討・福原京遷都ではいずれも平家とともに賛成を唱え、摂関家の九条兼実やその周辺（代表格が藤原定家）と対立している。