Imperial Japanese Navy

The Imperial Japanese navy should be more precisely called Navy of the Empire of Greater Japan. It was formed in 1869 and lasted until 1947 when Japan adopted its new constitution.

Starting back in the 3rd century Japan did have interactions with main land Asia with trading ships. Just as with other areas trade ships soon made the transition to warships as the need dictated.

During the period of self seclusion production of sea going ships was strictly prohibited and punishable by death. However in 1853 the US forced Japan to trade and thus opened Japan up to the west. In 1863 Japan constructed its first domestically produced steam ship.

The navy was officially set up in 1869 just after the return to power of the Meiji emperor. In 1873 Japan laid plans to have a 200 ship navy, but these plans were dropped due to lack of resources. During much of the late 1800’s the navy was under the influence of European powers such as France and England. In fact most of the major warships built for the IJN were from either France or England.

Japan continued to flex her naval muscles during the late 1800’s and early 1900’s. She fought the Sino-Japanese War, helped suppress the Boxer Rebellion, and the Russo-Japanese War. During most of this time her ships were foreign built. In 1904 Japan bought 5 Holland submarines from the US to form its first submarine force.

Japan used the policy of “Copy, Improve, Innovate” in it s Naval industry. The last ship bought from a foreign facility was the battleship Kongo in 1913. By this time Japan had a full blown ship building industry and first rate engineers to design some of the world’s most impressive war ships.

In World War I Japan fought with the allies against Germany. In September of 1914 Japan attacked the German port of Tsingtao, in China. They also conducted the first sea launched air attacks. Japan also sent ships to patrol the Mediterranean Sea and escorted convoys in the Indian Ocean. At the end of the war Japan was given several German U-boats as war spoils.

Between wars Japan built ships larger and stronger than anyone. They placed an emphasis on carrier warfare and submarines. The largest battleships in history were completed in near secret.

At the beginning of World War II Japan held the world’s two premier naval powers at bay for almost a full year before being held in check. Although Japan had fought off the best the British, American, and Australians could throw at her she could not match the industrial might of the US. Her once proud fleet was nearly annihilated by the end of the war.

With the adoption of the new constitution the Imperial Japanese Navy ceased to exists. In its place came the JMSDF, Japanese Marine Self Defense Force.