Naval Historywith Dr. Alex

Q&A · 2:10:45-2:10:57

Japan's Special Naval Landing Forces

Japan fielded naval landing units, but the army retained the principal responsibility for large amphibious operations.

Amphibious WarfareImperial Japanese NavyMarinesSpecial Naval Landing Forces
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Question

Did the Imperial Japanese Navy have an organization comparable to the US Marines or Royal Marines?

Short answer

It had Special Naval Landing Forces, but the army remained central to large landing operations.

Notes

The Special Naval Landing Forces provided the Imperial Japanese Navy with marine-like troops. Their existence meant the navy did possess its own dedicated landing organization. They did not form a complete equivalent to the US Marine Corps or Royal Marines, however. Japan expected the army to carry much of the burden for large amphibious invasions, so the institutional division of responsibility differed from those foreign services.