He became sick from Warawayami (similar to malaria fever) in 1259 and passed the throne to Emperor Kameyama in November at the age of 17 after accepting Emperor Gosaga's request.
正元元年（1259年）に瘧病を患い、同十一月、後嵯峨上皇の要請で、17歳で亀山天皇に譲位。