He was appointed as a minister during the reign of Emperor Bidatsu and subsequently served four generations of emperors (Emperors Bidatsu, Yomei and Sushun and Empress Suiko), wielding political power for as long as 54 years and creating the golden age of the Soga clan.
敏達天皇のとき大臣に就き、以降、用明天皇、崇峻天皇、推古天皇の4代に仕え、54年に渡り権勢を振るい、蘇我氏の全盛時代を築く。