When the Regent, FUJIWARA no Koretada died while Emperor Reizei was in power, Koretada's younger brother, FUJIWARA no Kanemichi, was to become Chancellor, but he was still in the position of Chunagon (vice-councilor of state) and this did not satisfy the requirements to become Chancellor, once he was appointed to Nairan, Naidaijin (the Minister of the Interior), he was then appointed to the Chancellor, after having the Naidaijin rank.
冷泉天皇の時に摂政藤原伊尹が亡くなると、弟の藤原兼通が関白となることになったが、未だ中納言の官で関白就任の要件を満たしていなかったために、一旦内覧・内大臣に任じられて後日内大臣の資格で改めて関白に任じられた。