Tojo was both prime minister and chief of the Army General Staff while Shimada ran the navy as his ally. In theory, this paired concentration of authority should have made Army-Navy coordination easier. The two services still failed to work together as closely as their leadership arrangement appeared to permit. In this interpretation, the way the two men acquired power and their lack of Hirohito's support undermined cooperation. Shimada's weak support within the navy also helps explain why formal control failed to prevent repeated defeats.
Notable Point · 9:21-10:28
Tojo, Shimada, and failed wartime coordination
With Tojo directing the army and Shimada positioned as his naval counterpart, the Japanese war effort still failed to achieve the coordination their offices appeared to permit.