From the standpoint that denies the existence of the argument about the independence of the Togoku region (and regards it as only a personal opinion of TAIRA no Hirotsune), Shosuke KOUCHI focuses on the fact that Yoritomo consistently desired to negotiate directly with the Cloistered Emperor Goshirakawa seeking independence from the ruling of the Heike government and the relationship building with the Imperial Court in lieu thereof.
河内祥輔は東国独立論の存在を否定（平広常の個人的意見でしかないと）する立場から、頼朝の立場を平家政権の支配からの独立とそれに代わる朝廷との関係構築を求めて、一貫して後白河法皇との直接交渉を望んだ点を重視する。