Soga no Akae, supposedly under Naka no Oe no Oji's wishes, approached Arima no miko, who was staying behind in Asuka, by indicating the mistakes of the government under Empress Saimei and Naka no Oe no Oji and convinced Arima of his support and they plotted together to overthrow Empress Saimei and Naka no Oe no Oji.
飛鳥に残っていた有間皇子に、中大兄皇子の意を受けたと思われる蘇我赤兄が近づき、斉明天皇や中大兄皇子の失政を指摘し、自分は皇子の味方である事を伝え、斉明天皇と中大兄皇子打倒の計画を練った。