Q&A · 1:00:32-1:01:01

Japan's independent submarine tradition

The Imperial Japanese Navy developed its own submarine technology and operating ideas rather than simply copying German practice.

Question

Did the Imperial Japanese Navy draw its submarine technology and tactics from Germany?

Short answer

No; Japan had its own long submarine-development tradition and did not merely adopt German methods.

Notes

Japan had a long submarine-development and operating tradition of its own. The answer rejects the idea that Japanese technology and tactics simply came from Germany. Japanese confidence in its own experience could even produce a dismissive view of German methods. The emphasis is on an independent naval tradition.