On August 23 of 1954, Japanese Coast Guard Patrol Ship ‘Oki’ was on patrol (i.e. conducting the 28th Special Control Campaign) in waters near Takeshima. The ship approached within around 700m NNW of a cave on the northern side of the Western Islet at 8:40AM. The ship suddenly came under small arms fire originating from around the cave. Approximately 400 rounds were fired at the Oki from rifles or submachine guns, striking the ship. (One round pierced the bridge’s starboard battery chamber ventilator before ricocheting off the bridge’s pocket screen and falling into the sea. It was reported that a large number of rounds passed over the head of the watchmen standing guard on the bridge. There was no loss of life in this incident.) The Oki quickly shifted course bound north-northwest and conducted a survey from a distance 3 NM at 8:48AM, safely out of range of the gunfire. The Oki then began its voyage home at 9:40AM. During the survey, the Oki confirmed the presence of a white triangular tower on the northern end of the Eastern Islet (Mejima) resembling a lighthouse. The structure appeared to be constructed out of steel and stood approximately 6m high. The survey also confirmed that two figures in the Korean language had been inscribed on the lower face of the Western Islet’s southern cliff. Lastly, the survey also confirmed tens of pieces of lumber propped up against rocks on the western shore of the Eastern Islet.

Ref. 1: “8th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters Officially Classified Document No. 188 (August 25, 1954)” (Japan Coast Guard, 8th Regional Coast Guard Headquarters disclosed document)

Related documents
19th Session of the Diet (Parliament of Japan), House of Councillors, Cabinet Committee, Minutes No. 4 (September 21, 1954) p.7