Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 33:16-34:34

Could Japan afford the 10:10:7 treaty ratio?

The desired treaty ratio was financially possible only by changing the balance of the Japanese fleet.

Capital ShipsImperial Japanese NavyNaval ProcurementWashington Naval Treaty
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Question

Could the Japanese economy have afforded the capital ships allowed by a 10:10:7 ratio?

Short answer

Probably, but only by reducing construction of cruisers and destroyers rather than competing for overall naval supremacy.

Notes

The right to build a larger capital-ship force differs from trying to win an unlimited naval race. On a twenty-ship British and American baseline, a 10:10:7 ratio would permit Japan fourteen capital ships. Japan could probably fund that force, but only by slowing cruiser and destroyer construction. A more prestigious battle fleet might then lack the escorts and scouting forces needed for war.