On October 10 in the next year 994, Korechika was promoted to Naidaijin (Minister of the Center) jumping ahead of three predecessors including his uncle FUJIWARA no Michinaga who was eight years his senior (another uncle FUJIWARA no Michikane was Udaijin (Minister of the Right), which ranked above Naidaijin).
その翌年、正暦5年（994年）8月28日、伊周は8歳年上の叔父藤原道長ら3人の先任者を飛び越えて内大臣に昇進（上席の右大臣は叔父藤原道兼）。