He repeatedly refused to accept the emperorship on the ground of being ill, so that the throne remained vacant, but in January, 413, upon strong request from Oshisaka no onakatsu hime no mikoto, he finally acceded to the throne.
尊は病気を理由に再三辞退して空位が続いたが、允恭天皇元年12月（413年1月）、忍坂大中姫の強い要請を受け即位。