In 1896, requested by Shozo KAWASAKI, the founder of Kobe kawasaki Zaibatsu(a financial clique or group, or company syndicate), Matsukata became the first president of Kawasaki Dockyard Ltd.
明治29年（1896年）神戸川崎財閥創設者・川崎正蔵に要請されて株式会社川崎造船所初代社長に就任。