Koyu SONODA claims that "Shoku Nihongi" (Chronicles of Japan II) has false information for the following reason: In the year 758, it would have been extremely unusual for FUJIWARA no Yoshio as an exchange student Kentoshi to be promoted to Jugoinoge (Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade) from no rank, for this would mean that he was promoted ahead of his four older brothers (The older brothers were promoted one rank from Shorokuinojo [Senior Sixth Rank, Upper Grade] to Jugoinoge).
薗田香融は『続日本紀』にある天平宝字2年の無位から従五位下とする記述は当時の遣唐留学生の叙位としては異例なだけではなく、当時健在であった4人の兄の位階の昇進の例（いずれも正六位上から従五位下に昇進している）を越してしまう事を指摘してこの記事には誤りが含まれているとしている。