In 977, he rose to Shonii (Senior Second Rank) and Dainagon (chief councilor of state), and rose to the top of Daingon, overtaking his elder half brother FUJIWARA no Kaneie who was treated coldly by Kanemichi.
貞元(日本)2年（977年）には正二位大納言となり、兼通から疎んじられていた異母兄藤原兼家を超え、大納言筆頭となる。