Due to the apparent loss of control, the aircraft did not follow Tokyo Control's directions and only turned right far enough to fly a north-westerly course. Seeing that the aircraft was still flying west away from Haneda, Tokyo Control contacted the aircraft again. After confirming that the pilots were declaring an emergency, the controller requested as to the nature of the emergency. At this point, hypoxia appears to have begun setting in, as the pilots did not respond. Also, the Captain and Co-pilot asked the Flight Engineer repeatedly if hydraulic pressure was lost, seemingly unable to comprehend it. (Flight Engineer: "Hydro pressure all loss." Co-pilot: "All loss?" Captain: "No, look." Flight Engineer: "All loss." Co-pilot: "All loss?" Flight Engineer: "Yes.") Tokyo Control then contacted the aircraft again and repeated the direction to descend and turn to a 90° heading to Oshima. Only then did the captain report that the aircraft had become uncontrollable. (Tokyo: "Japan Air 124 fly heading 090 radar vector to Oshima." JAL123: "But now uncontrol." Tokyo: "Uncontrol, roger understood.")