In the summer of 686 his father, Emperor Temmu, fell ill and gave the imperial authority to his wife Empress Jitō and the crown prince Kusakabe.
He led the funeral ceremony and the construction of Emperor Temmu's tomb but before the coronation, he died in 689 at the age of 28.
Prince Kusakabe married his paternal cousin and maternal aunt, Princess Abe, the daughter of Emperor Tenji.
After his death, his mother Empress Jitō ascended to the throne.
Later, Karu and Hidaka reigned as Emperor Monmu and Empress Genshō.