My father, Norman Lock (1924 - 2021) collected a Japanese ID plate during his time in the Royal British Navy, in WW2 (Between 1942 and 1946). The plate is only 6 by 4.5 centimeters, but a close-up smart phone camera photo has it coming out a large 2.80MB size. So, this photo is only about the top half due to the photo size restrictions on this site.
A volunteer at the Australian War memorial was able to translate the plate for me.
Philip L
The data plate in your possession appears to have come from a Japanese ship. One of our volunteers is able to read older Japanese and he was able to translate it for you.
艦橋速力通信器
指示器
特許 第60265號 第110973號
第106557號 第11097號
型 [empty] 番號26668
株式[trademark]会社
東京計器製作所
昭和14年12月
Translation:
Bridge speed communication device
Indicator
Patents: No.60265 No. 110973
No.106557 No. 11097
Tupe: [empty] Serial no. 26668
Co. [trademark] LTD
Tokyo Keiki Seisakusho [Tokyo Instrument Manufacturing]
December, Showa 14 [1939]
Bridge speed communication device is a literal translation, what it means is the Engine order telegraph. The company Tokyo Keiki Seisakusho still exists today as Tokyo Keiki.