As a background of this incident, the possibility of political confrontation with his father-in-law, Emperor Shomu has been pointed out in relation to the transfer of the capital to Kuni-kyo and giving the right of succession to the Imperial Throne to his younger brother-in-law, Prince Asaka.
但し、この事件の背景には恭仁京遷都や義弟・安積親王への皇位継承などを巡っての義父・聖武天皇との政治的な対立の可能性も指摘されている。