Joint Transport Company - Kyodounyugaisha

A shipping company. The predecessor of Nippon Yusen Kaisha. It was established in 1882 (Meiji 15) to compete with Mitsubishi's monopoly in the shipping industry. Many shipping companies that were established during the inflationary period caused by the Satsuma Rebellion fell into financial difficulties during the deflationary period caused by Matsukata's finances. In particular, after the political upheaval of 1881, the government changed its stance toward Mitsubishi, which was in collusion with Okuma Shigenobu, and under the guidance of Minister of Agriculture and Commerce Shinagawa Yajiro, in July 1882, Tokyo Fuhosen, Hokkaido Unyu, and Etchu Fuhosen were merged to form a joint transport company, half of which was funded by the government. Masuda Takashi, Shibusawa Eiichi, and others were executives, and the company was centered around Mitsui. It opened in January of the following year, but due to fierce competition with Mitsubishi Company with no regard for profitability, with government mediation the two companies merged in September 1885 and opened as Nippon Yusen Kaisha in October.

[Kato Kozaburo]

Source: Shogakukan Encyclopedia Nipponica About Encyclopedia Nipponica Information | Legend

海運会社。日本郵船会社の前身。1882年（明治15）三菱(みつびし)会社の海運界独占に対抗するためにつくられた。西南戦争によるインフレ期に創立された海運会社の多くは、松方財政によるデフレ期に経営困難に陥った。とくに明治十四年の政変後、大隈重信(おおくましげのぶ)と結託する三菱会社に対して政府は態度を変え、農商務大輔(だいぶ)品川弥二郎(しながわやじろう)の指導で、1882年7月、東京風帆船、北海道運輸、越中(えっちゅう)風帆船の3社を合併、半額政府出資の共同運輸会社を設立させた。益田孝(ますだたかし)、渋沢栄一らが重役で三井中心であった。翌年1月開業したが、三菱会社と採算無視の激烈な競争を展開したため、政府の調停で1885年9月に両会社が合併し、10月日本郵船会社として開業した。

［加藤幸三郎］

出典　小学館　日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)日本大百科全書(ニッポニカ)について　情報 | 凡例