British power extended far beyond the size of the regular British Army. Japan could see that Britain might draw on Indian, Australian, Canadian, South African, African, and Gurkha forces as well as the Royal Navy. Using imperial or dominion troops carried political costs, especially after the Boer War and the First World War, while expanding the resources available in a major conflict. That larger coercive system helps explain why Japan sought a fleet strong enough to make intervention unattractive.
Notable Point · 13:27-14:59
British imperial manpower complicated Japanese deterrence
Japan had to reckon with Britain as both a naval power and the head of an imperial system able to mobilize forces from several regions.