In actual fact, Hidaka had health problems which would make it difficult to command, and Togo, with the most experience of all the admirals at the time, was a very reasonable choice.
しかし実際には、日高が健康問題を抱えており指揮が難しい状態であり、当時の将官の中で実戦経験豊富な東郷が至極順当に選ばれたというのが真相であった。