Houseflags of Nippon Yusen Kaisha companies

According to The Flag Bulletin #189 [fbn], the original houseflag of the company became the inspiration for the Japanese postal flag (Figure 14, page 181, text on page 180). A more recent version uses wider stripes to create five equal stripes. The Flag Bulletin translates Nippon Yusen Kwaisha as Japanese Mail Ship Company. The two red lines are meant to represent the katakana ni the first syllable of Nippon, extending the upper portion of the glyph to the borders of the flag.
Phil Nelson, 3 March 2000

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The company dates back to 1870 when the Tsukumo Shokai Shipping Company was formed by the Tosa Clan. This company was renamed several times until it became the Mitsubishi Mail Steamship Company in 1875.

In 1882, another company was formed, the Kyodo Unyu Kaisha and in 1885 it merged with Mitsubishi Mail Steamship to become Nippon Yusen Kaisha (later Nippon Yusen Kabushiki Kaisha). [NYK] In 1923, it's Near-Sea Department became a separate entity, Kinkai Yusen. It's twin stripes became a feature of its funnel in 1929.

NYK acquired Kinkai Yusen Kaisha in 1939. NYK emerged from the war with only 37 ships operating.

In 1964, NYK merged with Mitsubishi Shipping Company to become the NYK Group. In 1991, NYK acquired Nippon Liner Systems, a container liner to New Zealand. Showa Lines merged with NYK in 1998.
Phil Nelson, 5 May 2000

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Various flag band widths are shown by sundry sources resulting, according to the company, from the fact that there were no actual specifications until 1939 and consequently actual variations abounded. To help assist confusion is the fact that the funnel bands are not equal i.e. the outer white are slightly narrower than the others so anyone trying to work out the flag from the funnel is on the wrong track for a starter. After the merger with Mitsubishi Kaiun K.K. the name of Nippon Yusen Kaisha was retained according to Lloyds, as happened after they acquired Showa Kaiun K.K in 1998.
Neale Rosanoski, 5 March 2003