In April 1186 (March 1186 under the old lunar calendar), Yoritomo made FUJIWARA no Motomichi, a Sessho (a regent) as the Cloistered Emperor deeply favored, resign as the person responsible for issuing the imperial decree to search for and kill MINAMOTO no Yoritomo, instead Yoritomo had Kanezane appointed to Sessho.
文治2年（1186年）3月には頼朝追討の宣旨を下した責任者として法皇の寵愛深い摂政の藤原基通を辞任させ、代わって兼実を摂政に任命させる。