He later admitted in A Diplomat in Japan (p. 155 of the Tuttle reprint edition, pp.  159 of the first edition) that writing the articles had been 'altogether contrary to the rules of the service' (i.e. it is inappropriate for a diplomat or consular agent to interfere in the politics of a country in which he/she is serving).
Di kemudian hari dalam A Diplomat in Japan (halaman 155 edisi cetak ulang Tuttle, edisi pertama: halaman 159), Satow menulis bahwa artikelnya dulu telah "sangat bertentangan dengan peraturan dinas diplomatik" (tidak pantas untuk diplomat atau pejabat konsulat untuk campur tangan dalam politik dalam negeri tempatnya ditugaskan).