In August 1902 Japanese Minister Takahira Kogorō provided a diplomatic note stating that the Japanese Government had "no claim whatever to make on the sovereignty of the island, but that if any subjects are found on the island the Imperial Government expects that they should be properly protected as long as they are engaged in peaceful occupations."
I august 1902 fremsendte den japanske minister Takahira Kogorō en diplomatisk note om, at den japanske regering "ikke havde krav på øens suverænitet, men at hvis nogen personer findes på øen, forventer den kejserlige regering, at de skal beskyttes ordentligt så længe de er engageret i fredelige sysler."