By the law of Japan, every male of the age of twenty has to draw lots
for the conscription, unless he is already serving. As a matter of
fact, however, there are comparatively few conscript sailors in the
Imperial Navy, as young Japanese volunteer for service in large numbers.
All candidates undergo a physical examination; and also a literary
examination in elementary writing, reading, and arithmetic.
Volunteers are accepted between the ages of seventeen and twenty-one
years, and sign on for six years’ service.
Conscripts are compelled to serve four years.
Both classes may volunteer to continue serving up to the following
ages, when they are pensioned off:—
Seamen 40 years.
Petty officers 45 ”
Warrant officers 50 ”
Chief warrant officers 55 ”
Warrant and chief warrant officers in the Japanese Navy never undertake
watch-keeping as in the British Navy. In no cases do they mess with the
commissioned officers, as in our destroyers, torpedo boats, and torpedo
gunboats, but, even in destroyers, have always their own mess.
They are not eligible for promotion to commissioned rank.