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was due to the influence of the commercial and industrial crisis, and after the return of activity in those circles the number of despatches increased in equal proportion to the increased development of the system.

Japan received and sent international telegrams from the opening of the line between Tokyo and Nagasaki in 1873; but as the Administration of Telegraphs was not then connected with the International Telegraph Union, despatches beyond Nagasaki were confided to the agency of the Danish Great Northern Telegraph Company, and the treatment of international telegrams in Japan was regulated by the regulation governing interior service, except the arrangement as to charges made with that company. From 1878 international telegrams began to be treated in conformity to the disposition of the Telegraphic International Convention signed at St. Petersburg in 1875, and in 1879 Japan officially accepted that convention. Japanese delegates were for the first time sent to the International Conference in London in 1879. Since then Japan has been represented at the further conferences held successively at Berlin, Paris, and Budapest.

The establishment of the telephone system was early an object of consideration by the Government. While entirely recognising the utility of this new mode of communication, there was a hesitation in deciding whether the State ought to establish the telephone, or should leave the development of it to a private company. Nevertheless, as the telephone was an absolutely new matter, it was proposed to previously investigate it thoroughly. The Ministry of Communications seriously occupied itself with this preparatory study, and tried the manufacture of telephones. In 1890 the Government judged the moment favourable to put into practice these theoretical studies, and, recognising the advantages accruing from establishing the service itself, published the Telephone Regulations. Telephone services were first opened in Tokyo and Yokohama at the end of 1890, and in Osaka and Kobe in 1893. As in all new things, the public, not fully comprehending the real utility of this marvellous equipment, were not anxious to have it installed in their own houses; but after some years of work, the demands became so numerous that the Administration was obliged to obtain from the State a special fund to supply the public desire. In 1895 extensive developments were resolved upon. Apart from the fiscal year of 1896–97, not only were central telephone-offices established