In 1898, he selected Tokugoro NAKAHASHI, who was a director of the Railway Bureau in the Ministry of Communication, as his successor, and made a foundation of Mitsui O.S.K. Lines.
1898年（明治31年）逓信省の鉄道局長をしていた中橋徳五郎を後継者に選び、商船三井の基礎をつくった。