Although Emperor Yozei is infamous for his bad behavior, it is questioned whether the story could be true, since he was only 17 years old at the time of his abdication; it could have been Mototsune's attempt to cover up his accusation in order to remove Emperor Yozei from his position and set up his favorites (the future emperors Koko and Uda) to succeed the throne.
ただし、陽成天皇の暴君説は退位時の年齢が17歳（満15歳）であり疑問点も多く、天皇を廃位し、自身の意向に沿う光孝天皇・宇多天皇帝を擁立した基経の罪を抹消するための作為だともいわれる。