Post-war Japan as a Sea Power: Imperial Legacy, Wartime Experience and the Making of a Navy

Description

In Post-war Japan as a Sea Power, Alessio Patalano incorporates new, exclusive source material to develop an innovative approach to the study of post-war Japan as a military power. This archival-based history of Asia's most advanced navy, the Japanese Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF), looks beyond the traditional perspective of viewing the modern Japanese military in light of the country's alliance with the US. The book places the institution in a historical context, analysing its imperial legacy and the role of Japan's shattering defeat in WWII in the post-war emergence of Japan as East Asia's ‘sea power’. Cover Half-title Title Copyright Dedication Contents Abbreviations and Acronyms JMSDF Ship Classification Figures, Maps and Photos Conventions Acknowledgements 1 Japanese Sea Power: From Kaigun to Kaiji Re-enacting the past The navy and Japan: Explaining the core argument The navy and its history: Uncovering new source materials The useful history: The three themes of the book The layers of the cake: The book’s structure 2 Ethos and Traditions: The Navy of Imperial Japan The drive for ‘a strong bond of fellowship’ Reinventing the regional maritime heritage Shaping the Wakon (Japanese) spirit Integrating the effectiveness of Yōsai (Western knowledge) Conclusions: The navy of Imperial Japan 3 History and Memory: The Imperial Navy of the Post-war Era Japan’s ‘long and revered naval tradition’ ‘Mr Ito’, the reporter of naval affairs Reviewing the wartime experience Debating military identity and traditions War writing as a ‘personal affair’ A navy with a human face Agawa Noyuki and the navies of past and present Conclusions 4 Experience and Legacy: The Education of a New Navy Japan’s self-righteous and traditional sailors The past as prologue: An academy for gentlemen-officers The making of a naval officer: Education, training and the spirit of Etajima The past as prologue – part 2: Thinking critically about the Imperial Navy Conclusions 5 Ethos and Propaganda: Ships, Men and the Image of the Naval Profession The image of a navy made of ships and men In which we serve: Ships, fleet reviews and the navy’s public appeal Beyond the ship: The Public Affairs Office Admiral Furushō and the navy of traditions Explaining men and traditions: Museums and more Conclusions 6 Strategy and Policy: The ‘Sea Power’ of the Pacific Naval strategy, the Corbett way Shattered trident Naval policy and national security The strategy of a ‘trading nation’ The challenges ahead: Evolving fleet, evolving enemy Sea control and alliance requirements Post-Cold War transition Conclusions 7 Doctrine and Capabilities: The Quest for a Balanced Fleet Smaller navy, similar grammar ‘Big ships, big guns’ New name, same people, different anatomy The foundations of doctrine: A well-ordered and unified navy Setting the navy on course: Fighting power and readiness with a strong spirit Testing the navy: The US–Japan alliance and beyond A new sword: Building a balanced fleet Conclusions 8 Conclusions: The Past and the Future History and the making of the Japanese navy Becoming the ‘senior service’: Japanese sea power as a national strategy Taking the Imperial Naval experience forward: A different navy altogether Looking ahead Notes Bibliography Index