==================+=================+================= | TOTAL OF CHECKS AND BILLS CLEARED. FIRST HALF-YEAR +-----------------+----------------- OF | TŌKYŌ | ŌSAKA. | _Yen._ | _Yen._ ------------------+-----------------+----------------- 1895 | 131,600,000 | 34,500,000 1896 | 184,800,000 | 65,700,000 1897 | 250,300,000 | 72,200,000 1898 | 383,400,000 | 97,300,000 1899 | 433,800,000 | 161,600,000 1900 | 675,400,000 | 255,500,000 1901 | 565,000,000 | 263,700,000 1902 | 614,700,000 | 298,700,000 1903 | 756,100,000 | 395,900,000 1908 (whole year) | 2,962,973,000 | 1,418,941,000 1910 (whole year) | 3,841,380,000 | 2,028,605,000 ==================+=================+================= SHIP-BUILDING IN JAPAN[203] Recent orders which have been placed in the hands of the Nagasaki Dockyard and Engine Works and the Kawasaki Dockyard Company, Limited, by the Nippon Yūsen Kaisha and the Ōsaka Shōsen Kaisha, serve to remind the resident of the rapid development of the ship-building industry in this country, while at the same time affording evidence of the growth of the country’s mercantile marine. The order placed with the first-named yard is for four large steamers of 6,000, 5,400, 2,500, and 1,900 tons, respectively, the largest vessels being intended for the Japan Mail Steamship Company’s European and Australian lines. Nor is the Ōsaka Shōsen Kaisha in a different position. This enterprising company also has found it necessary to order new vessels, and has found it economical to order them in Japan instead of from abroad. The fact is worthy of note, for it is the first time in the history of the country that orders for eight ocean-going steamers have been in hand at one time. This may, we trust, be held to indicate that the shipping and ship-building industries are in a healthy and prosperous state.