Prince Arima, who was caught and interrogated by Naka no Oe no Oji (later Emperor Tenji) in December 12, answered the question of why he planned a rebellion as follows.
捕らえられて9日に中大兄皇子（後の天智天皇）の尋問を受けた有間皇子は、「なぜ謀反しようとしたのか」と問われて次のようにと答えた。