Due to the mother's humble background of the naturalized clansmen Yamatouji, there was no hope for the Emperor to become a crown prince even after his father, Shirakabe no Okimi's enthronement; but he aimed to succeed as a government bureaucrat and held the position like a palace staff person (jiju), the manager of Daigaku (Daigaku no Kami) and Nakatsukasakyo.
父の白壁王の即位後も母の高野新笠が身分の低い帰化氏族和氏出身であったため、立太子は望まれておらず、当初は官僚としての出世を目指しており、侍従・大学頭・中務卿などを歴任していた。