From Japan he stopped at Cochin China. Percival left a letter for the king of Cochin China demanding the bishop's release. "Ashigara" participated in the occupation of Cochin China, arriving in Saigon on 29 July 1941. In early May 1845, the ship anchored in Touron Bay, Cochin China (now Vietnam). Cochin China, at this time, was far less organized than Tonkin.