In 759, a delegation led by entered China through Balhae to take Kiyokawa home. However, because China was in a state of turmoil due to the An Lushan Rebellion, the Tang court forbade his return due to the danger of the roads. In 763, although Kiyokawa was still in China, the Japanese court appointed him governor of Hitachi Province, and in 764 he was promoted to .
