In 749, FUJIWARA no Nakamaro who was trusted by Empress Komyo, the emperor's mother, was appointed to be Kami (a director) of Shibi Chudai (the office that handled the Empress Komyo's affairs) which was established for Empress's dowager after Emperor Shomu abdicated his throne to Imperial Princess Abe (Empress Koken).
天平勝宝元年（749年）、聖武天皇が譲位して皇女の阿倍内親王（孝謙天皇）が即位すると、天皇の母の光明皇后に信任されていた藤原仲麻呂が皇太后のために新設された紫微中台の長官（紫微令）に任命される。