Okinoshima and the two destroyers were positioned to provide a protective barrier for Azumasan Maru and Kōei Maru which were busy unloading troops and materiel.
Okinoshima og de to destroyere var placeret så de kunne udgøre en beskyttende barriere for Azumasan Maru og Kōei Maru som havde travlt med at landsætte tropper og materiel.