Fushimi and Japan's naval treaty struggle

Prince Fushimi belonged to an imperial branch with succession rights and was a second cousin of Emperor Hirohito. That status made him powerful enough that other leaders could neither ignore nor easily coerce him. As the critical patron of the Fleet Faction, he argued that treaty limits could not provide a force capable of deterring the United States. His connections helped that faction win the internal political struggle and terminate Japan's participation in the treaty system. Japan's wider departure from the treaty and League of Nations system left fewer political constraints on American action. Fushimi was therefore one of the most consequential admirals in setting Japan's prewar naval direction.