All patrol ship captains, and ranking officers were gathered in the 8th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters’ chief’s office where they discussed what sort of control program they would implement after the Hekura was fired upon on July 12, 1953 while executing the 4th Special Control Campaign. The Japanese Coast Guard also anticipated that Korean ships would be in the vicinity of Takeshima, in addition to Korean officials residing on the islands. Patrol Ship Hekura executed the 5th Special Control Campaign from August 2-3. 11 crew members of the Hekura also conducted a land-based survey of Takeshima from 8:00AM on August 3. (Ref.1)

When the crew-members landed on Takeshima, they discovered no Korean officials or fishermen nor any trace of a recent visit by Korean nationals. According to a report by the 8th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters, crew members of the Hekura speculated that Korean fishermen would not visit the islands, with the exception of fishing survey, as the season for collecting marine life such as wakame, abalone and turban snails had ended. Live submachine gun rounds and cartridges were discovered on the Western Islet. It is speculated that these munitions and spent cartridges were of those shot at the Hekura from the Takeshima hillside during the 4th Special Control Campaign. (Ref.1)

The Hekura confirmed that the sign erected by Shimane Prefecture during the 1st Special Control Campaign, i.e. the land-based survey, which indicated that Takeshima is Japanese territory had been removed. A makeshift tin oven as well as 12 scattered abalone shells were also discovered. (Ref. 1)

Ref. 1: “8th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters Officially Classified Document No. 260 (August 5, 1953)” (Japan Coast Guard, 8th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters disclosed document)