After the death of Emperor Tenmu, who was enthroned as the first 'emperor' in the Japanese history succeeding his victory at the Jinshin War and implemented a drastic political reform, Empress Jito assumed the throne.
壬申の乱の勝利後に史上初の「天皇」として即位し、思い切った国制改革を進めた天武天皇が没した後、皇后の持統天皇が即位。