He died of illness while he was the official investiture of the Crown Prince and was waiting to succeed to the throne, his son, Imperial Prince Kazuhito (Emperor Goyozei) was adopted by Emperor Ogimachi and succeeded to the throne.
立太子から譲位する間際に病没し、その遺子である和仁親王（後陽成天皇）を正親町天皇は猶子として、譲位した。