There is no precise historical records about the achievement of the Prince Osakabe during the reign of the Empress Jito, but Jugo KUROIWA argues that Fujiwara no Fuhito suggest the prince, who was lamenting over his misfortune since the empress disliked him, to support the enthronement of the Emperor Monmu, the nephew of the Prince Osakabe, then he finally could return to political world.
持統朝においては彼の事績は伝わらないが、黒岩重吾は持統天皇に嫌われ、不遇をかこっていた所を藤原不比等の入知恵で甥の文武天皇擁立を支持し、漸く政界復帰したものと主張している。