the following appointments brought about a shift in power towards nobles closely related to the emperor and away from non-imperial clans such as the fujiwara. in 737 prince suzuka, brother of prince nagaya, was appointed to chancellor ("daijō-daijin"), the highest position of the council of state. in the beginning of the following year, tachibana no moroe, half-brother of empress kōmyō, took the position of minister of the right that had been held by muchimaro before his death. the only fujiwara in the council at the time was muchimaro's son, fujiwara no toyonari who had a relatively low rank. in addition, all the clans that had opposed the fujiwara four such as the ōtomo, the saeki or the agata inukai were moroe backers. unlike under the fujiwara four, the emperor was not opposed by a single strong faction anymore as members of this new council originated from various clans.