Japanese merchant marine growing according to the Dutch magazine De Hollandsche Revue dated 1900 no. 4

An item reported that the tonnage of the Japanese merchant marine grew from 150.000 tons from 1895 to 650.000 tons in 1899. This increase had as result that the Japanese government in contrary to the 50 ships available in 1894 for troop transports  there now were 150-160 ships available any time to be used as transports of as hospital ships. The main shipping companies were Nippon Yusen Kaisha, Toye Kisen Kaisha, Osaka Chosen Kaisha and Mitsu Bishi Kaisha. Ships of the second company were used on the shipping route towards San Francisco, had a speed of 18-20 knots and in wartime convertible into magnificent auxiliary cruisers.