Yorimichi did not want Imperial Prince Takahito, who was remotely related to Sekkan-ke (the families which produced regents), to ascend the throne and he waited for the birth of a prince of the Emperor Goreizei and wanted to replace him with Imperial Prince Takahito.
頼通は摂関家との関係が薄い尊仁親王の即位を望まず、後冷泉天皇の皇子出生を待ってこれと替えることを願っていた。