In his later years, Togo's enormous authority in the Navy made it a custom for the Navy to ask for his statements about military orders and martial laws although he had already stepped down from public office.
晩年において海軍における東郷の権威は絶大で、官制上の権限は無いにもかかわらず軍令・軍政上の大事は東郷にお伺いを立てることが慣例化していた。