As already stated, the retiring age (nominally) of a sub-lieutenant is
42. Other officers are retired _pro rata_ up to 65 years of age for
vice-admirals.
Officers of good conduct are promoted on retirement as a rule. Pensions
vary from a minimum of £20 to £76 per annum upward in each case. In the
admirals’ ranks, the minimum ranges from £105 to £150 per annum. There
is no exact maximum.
Intentionally or otherwise, there is one excellent thing that obtains
in the Japanese Navy. By the system of selection of captains to be
admirals the “duffer officer” has little chance of blocking the way
of better men. He, however, as a rule is ready to recognise his own
shortcomings, and it is not at all uncommon for such officers to
exhibit their patriotism by retiring to make room for those who are
likely to do better than they. It is only in the Japanese Navy that
this happens: and it is in very marked contrast to certain other
navies.
[Illustration: JAPANESE FLAGS.]