Tokyo, Dec. 4.
A. large-scale expansion of shipping activities along the China coast Jand the Yangtze River to make Japan predominant in shipping there, has been decided on by the Japanese Government, and the Ministry of Communications is studying the precise form which the expansion programme shall take, according to the Asahi Shimbun."
'The impending move is intended to meet' the need long felt by Japan for consolidation of its shipping. in [China for more effective competition with British interests, which have seriously restricted Japanese active ties. "The immediate impetus is do-rived from the proposed reconstruction of the Nisshin Kisen Kaisha, which ran a local service between JShanghal and Yangtze ports and which hes suffered severely from the Aghting at Shanghai, 'As the Nisshin Kisen Kaisha is. a subsidized line, maintained indirectly the Nippon' Yusen Kaisha and the Osaka Shosen Kaisha, the Japanese JGovernment has declared itself ready to Indemnity its war losses, including six ships captured and sunk by the Chinese forces last August.
Three Tentative Plans OMecials of the three concerns have submitted opinions to the Ministry of Communications as to the proposed new basis of shipping expansion in China. In consequence. three tonta~ tive pians have been drafted, all sub-ect to developments of the military: [situation in Central and South China, One calls for enlargement of the Nisshin Kisen Kaisha with no change its fundamental structure, ale though a substantial increase capitalization. will be required. A second would establish a large nae Honal policy shipping company China by joint investment of the Nisshin, Nippon Yusen, Osaka Sho-ink ai Yusen and Dairen Steamship navigation, it is proposed in
that the China Merchants" Steam. tak in the Japanese national Navigation Company be invited 10
policy' shipping company.—Reuter,
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.