Page:Japan by the Japanese (1904).djvu/692

In the 3rd year of Meiji (1870) Reiganjima Kaiso Kaisha (the Reiganjima Sea Transport Company) received a grant of two steamers from the Government, and opened the regular monthly service between Tokyo and Osaka, this being the first regular steamship service on the coast of Japan. In the 5th year of Meiji (1872) the company was dissolved, and soon after the Nippon Koku Yubin Jokisen Kaisha (the Japan Mail Steamship Company) was established. The new company also undertook the regular services under the order of the Government, in consideration of which the company was allowed to buy several boats belonging to the Government in yearly instalments. In the 8th year of Meiji (1875) the Government gave a grant to the Mitsu Bishi Kisen Kaisha (the Mitsu Bishi Steamship Company) of several steamers recently acquired by the Government. The Mitsu Bishi Company, receiving an annual subsidy, opened the Shanghai line and several regular coasting services, under the order of the Government. In the 15th year of Meiji (1882) the Government, giving aids to the Kyodo Unyu Kaisha (the Union Transport Company), ordered it to maintain regular lines. After a long struggle the rival companies were amalgamated into one, under the name of Nippon Yusen Kaisha (Japan Mail Steamship Company). The newly-organized company came under an obligation to maintain several mail services—foreign and home—in consideration of which a yearly subsidy was granted by the Government. In the 21st year of Meiji (1888) the Government made an order to the Osaka Shosen Kaisha (the Osaka Mercantile Marine Company) entitling it to receive a subsidy for eight years, thereby obliging the company to improve the vessels within a certain specified time, and to maintain the regular mail services, especially on the western coasts of Japan. In September of the 35th year of Meiji (1902), the Government gave its consent to pay the Konan Kisen Kaisha (the Konan Steamship Company) interest, at a certain percentage, on the paid-up capital in case of any loss sustained.

Article I.—The bounty for the encouragement of navigation will be granted, according to the provisions of this Act, to Japanese subjects or mercantile companies of which the members or shareholders shall be exclusively composed of Japanese subjects, engaging in the business of transportation of goods and passengers, with ships solely owned by them and registered