Mr. Shyokita's consultation revealed a problem with the originally starting point. The plan was to start from Naha. But Shyokita suggests that  "best starting place is Heto Cape". Also Kohno and Yoneda can not ignore the itinerary. Kohno have to leave to Far East Russia to research then have to get ready.   It not leave enough time for a scheduled lecture event soon after their completion. Yoneda only has a month vacation before he must return to Kagoshima, Kyushu.

Moreover, this rainy season makes delays very likely It is possible that a typhoon may stop their voyage. So they decide to agree to start a little closer is better overall.   If they can reach to Matsuyama, it is the best. But they also need spare time for a safe voyage. We can not let our schedule expose them to unnecessary risks from dangerous weather or ocean conditions.

Someone may wonder, "Then you can start from Amami right?"  But when they left Okinawa, the future expedition from Okinawa to the North Pole will reach Matsuyama in 2001. So, after considering all the factors, we reached the decision to change the starting point.

The actual change 100 km change in distance that this change causes is more than compensated for because their actual zigzag adds many more kilometers to the distance. Therefore we are not going to make change the  "1300 km" in the title.