Interservice Rivalries in Japan

Historical Context

• Japan was resource-poor and during pre-war budget battles, both the Army and Navy had essential funding needs.
• Limited resources led to fierce disagreements, both within and between the branches.

Ingroup and Outgroup Dynamics

• Problems exist not only between Army and Navy but also within each service.

Army Example

• The Guandong Army acted independently in 1931 by invading Manchuria, initiating a 15-year war.
• Multiple coup attempts occurred within the Army, including one during Emperor Hirohito’s capitulation.

Navy Example

• Japanese cultural norms led to lack of rotation between combat and training missions, unlike US practice.
• Cultural differences also meant a lack of "hot washes" (self-critical reviews) in Japan.

Interservice Issues

Organizational Problems

• Regular Army-Navy meetings in Tokyo only began in 1944.
• Disagreement on unifying high commands; Navy resisted.
• In 1945, unified propaganda efforts began, but planning and coordination remained poor, even under invasion threat.

War Planning

• Post-1905, Army and Navy had separate, secret war plans.
• Army focused on Russia; Navy on the US and Britain.
• Plans assumed uncommunicated support from the other branch.

Southern Advance

• Post-1939, Army supported Navy's Southern Strategy after a defeat by Russians.
• Successes in early 1942 were followed by issues like the unfinished airfield at Guadalcanal.
• Lack of coordination led to logistical issues and conflicts over military priorities.

Strategic Implications of Disjointed Efforts

• Guadalcanal had broader effects, forcing changes in Japanese military strategies regarding China and Australia.
• Internal dishonesty and competition between services exacerbated strategic challenges.

Comparisons to the US

• US also had interservice rivalries, but not as extreme.
• Separate campaigns for Admiral Nimitz and General MacArthur represented US rivalries, but were managed more effectively.

Final Example

Midway Operation

• Post-Pearl Harbor, Admiral Yamamoto’s proposal to attack Midway was initially resisted by Army.
• The Doolittle Raid prompted Army support for the Midway attack.
• Resulted in a significant loss for Japan: four aircraft carriers.
• Poor interservice communication meant the loss wasn’t disclosed promptly.

Conclusion

• Japanese interservice rivalries, compounded by cultural factors, severely hindered effective military strategy during the war.