Its modern successors include the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications, Japan Post and Nippon Telegraph and Telephone On December 22, 1885 the Ministry of Communications was established, combining the Bureau of Posts and Post Station Maintenance and Shipping Bureau formerly under the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce with the Telegraph Bureau and Lighthouse Management Bureau formerly under the Ministry of Industry.

On August 16, 1891, the ministry was also placed in charge of the nascent Japanese electric power industry.

In December 1941, an external Maritime Affairs Council was established and took over the Lighthouse Bureau.

Electrical production and aircraft manufacturing regulation was transferred to the Minister of Munitions.

After the surrender of Japan, the American occupation authorities briefly reestablished the Ministry of Communications on April 1, 1946; however it was in charge of only posts, telecommunications and the security of aerial navigation.