Nippon Yusen Kaisha

The roots of the company can be traced back to the Tsukumo Shokai shipping firm, established by the Tosa clan in 1870. Under the name Mitsubishi Shokai, the company commenced Japan’s inaugural passenger liner service in 1875, running from Yokohama to Shanghai. Subsequently renamed the Mitsubishi Mail Steamship Company that same year, the company merged with Kyodo Unyu Kaisha in 1885, resulting in the adoption of the present name, Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha (NYK).

With a fleet of 58 steamships, the merged entity swiftly expanded its operations globally, establishing routes to Seattle in 1896 and London in 1899 after initially focusing on Asian ports. Despite a hiatus, NYK reentered the passenger ship sector in 1989 through Crystal Cruises, a newly formed subsidiary.

In 1990, NYK resumed passenger services directly with the introduction of MS Asuka to the Japanese cruise market. This venture saw further development in 2006 with the introduction of the larger Asuka II, formerly known as Crystal Cruises’ Crystal Harmony.