The Kaientai (海援隊, Kaientai; "Maritime Support Force") was a trading and shipping company and private navy, considered to be the first corporation in modern Japan.
Kaientai, originally named Kameyama Shachū (亀山社中, "Kameyama Troupe"), was founded by Sakamoto Ryōma in Nagasaki in 1865 during the Bakumatsu, and it was initially funded by the Satsuma Domain and other groups and domains.
The logo of SoftBank Group is based on the idea of a "21st century Kaientai".
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Members of Kaientai
Born in Tosa Domain
Sakamoto Ryōma – Commander and founder
Sasaki Takayuki – A second commanding officer of Kaientai after Ryōma's assassination. Would go on to become a privy councilor, cabinet minister and confidant of Emperor Meiji
Nakaoka Shintarō
Iwasaki Yatarou – Would go on to found Mitsubishi in 1870
Sawamura Sōnojho
Nagaoka Ken'ichi
Ishida Eikichi
Sakamoto Nao – Ryōma's adopted child
Sugano Kakubei
Jingū Umanosuke
Nomura Koreaki
Born in Kishū Domain
Mutsu Munemitsu – Minister of Foreign Affairs from 1892 – 1896
Born in Echizen Province
Seki Yoshiomi
Watanabe Gōhachi
Odani Kōzō