Hosono was originally called the "Lucky Japanese Boy," by American media, but he was soon labelled a coward for getting on a lifeboat, which many considered primarily for women and children. He was called dishonorable in his home country, and was accused of dressing up as a woman in order to gain access to a boat (there's no proof of this).

After "Titanic" was released in 1997, Hosono's family published a letter he had written to his wife describing the sinking of the ship — explaining he had been ready to die until a crew-member called out for two more people, and he hopped in with another man.