Since then, he was steadily promoted together with his older brother FUJIWARA no Muchimaro, and in 717 he became Sangi (councilor) before the promotion of Muchimaro to the post when high-ranking officers (Imperial Prince Hozumi, OTOMO no Yasumaro, ISONOKAMI no Maro, and FUJIWARA no Kosemaro) died between the late period of Empress Genmei's rule and the early period of Empress Gensho's rule.
その後も兄藤原武智麻呂と同時に昇進していたが、元明天皇朝末期から元正天皇朝初期にかけての高官の死亡（穂積親王・大伴安麿・石上麻呂・巨勢麻呂）を受けて、霊亀3年（717年）に武智麻呂に先んじて参議となった。