Yoshimitsu was promoted to Sangi (councilor) in 1373, five years after he was inaugurated as shogun, and to Naidainjin (Minister of the Center) in 1381, and he indicated his willingness to act as the member of the Imperial Court.
義満は将軍就任から5年後の応安6年（1373年）に参議、永徳元年（1381年）に内大臣に昇り、朝廷の一員として活動する意向を示していた。