This is the Merit Medal, 1st Class in Silver, for the Japanese Seafarer Relief Association 海員掖済会. The group was established in Meiji 14 [1881] to provide help for merchant seamen. At that time, labor conditions were poor, and this group helped seamen get educated, find housing, find health care, etc. It also aided the families of members who died.

Presently, the group still maintains this name but actually runs a series of hospitals that are open to all, so all that remains of its original duties is health care.

The cased Medal offered here is believed to pre-date WW2.