The following Japanese historical records and documents indicate acknowledgement of Korean sovereignty over Dokdo:

1785: Map
A map published in Japan (author identified as Hayashi) shows Takeshima (Dokdo) as Korean territory.

1870: Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs document
Officials returning from a visit to Korea file a report to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs outlining why Matsushima (Ulleungdo) and Takeshima (Dokdo) belong to Korea.

1877: Japanese Prime Ministerial instructions
A prime ministerial instruction document clearly states that Takeshima (Dokdo) is not Japanese territory.

1882: Map
A map published in Japan (author identified as Kimura) identifies Takeshima (Dokdo) as Korean. (Japanese territory in colored in red, Korean territory in white).

1903: Japanese Fishing Manual
The Japanese Fishing Manual, published by Heuknyonghoe (Blue Dragon Association), a fishing association, says: "Takeshima (Dokdo) is located 30 li (120 km) from Ulleungdo. It can be seen from the peak of Ulleungdo in good weather. It was called Yanggo (Liancourt) by Korean and Japanese fishermen."

1907: Japanese Navy report
The Korea Marine Route Report, published by the Marine Division of the Japanese Imperial Navy, includes information about the Takeshima (Liancourt Rocks), which it describes as Korean territory.

1917: Map of Shimane Prefecture
In contradiction to the claim that Takeshima was incorporated into Shimane Prefecture in 1905, this official map fails to include the islands as Japanese territory.