Competition is severe; for each vacancy there are about five competitors; consequently, of those that originally enter only about 15 per cent. become ko-hoshi (naval cadets).

The successful competitors are sent to the Naval College at Yetajima, near Kuré (pronounced Kōūrā), where they remain three years, at the entire expense of the Government nominally, but generally costing something to their relatives.

Here they go through a very extensive course, which, in addition to a number of subjects not specified here, includes:—

and all the other subjects of the original competitive examination in advanced stages.

There is a feeling in Japan that this curriculum is rather too liberal for the time allowed.

Some gunboats are attached to the college, and in these classes of the cadets go out for a day or two’s practical instruction now and again; speaking generally, however, the three years are shore-service.

After the three years at college a cadet becomes a sho-i ko-hoshé (midshipman), and is sent to sea for one year in a training ship (masted), drawing a trifling pay.