[3] Ganges Island is referenced in 1826 on Bowditch's American Practical Navigator at position: 30°45′N 154°25′E / 30.750°N 154.417°E / 30.750; 154.417, then on a map of 1832.

[5] Similarly, Alexander George Findlay's book lists two sightings at 31°30′N 154°0′E / 31.500°N 154.000°E / 31.500; 154.000 and 31°30′N 163°0′E / 31.500°N 163.000°E / 31.500; 163.000 as being the same as the "Ganges Reef" at 30°47′N 154°20′E / 30.783°N 154.333°E / 30.783; 154.333, itself presented as "doubtful.

The island has a circumference of 1ri 25 cho (about 6.67  km), an area of 643,700 tsubo (about 2.13  km2), and some vegetation, which appeared to be coral reefs.

The island was also covered with phosphorite, which is formed when guano accumulates, and was considered important at the time as a gunpowder material and fertilizer.

On January 29, 1946, after World War II, the General Headquarters of the Allied Powers issued Instruction No.

[15] Although the description of Nakanotori Island was deleted sequentially in accordance with the public notice, unamended hydrographic charts and maps were still circulated in the private sector, such as those depicted in the "Koutou Shinchizu" (高等新地図) published in 1953.

[16] At a House of Councilors General Affairs Committee meeting on April 7, 1998, Chief Cabinet Secretary Kenzo Muraoka responded to a question about Nakanotorishima: