Mikawa attended the Versailles peace conference and later worked on the London Naval Treaty before serving as naval attaché in France. These posts exposed him to diplomacy, foreign cultures, and the practices of other navies alongside his operational education. The combination suggests that the Imperial Japanese Navy regarded him as a promising officer suited to prestigious assignments. His selection for treaty and attaché work also matters to the later moral assessment because he understood how naval officers represented their country abroad.
Chapter · 9:12-15:53
Treaty diplomacy marks Mikawa for senior command
Versailles, the London Naval Treaty, a French attaché posting, teaching, staff work, and early commands put Mikawa slightly ahead of the normal career track.