Q&A · 1:08:53-1:09:37

Did the Washington Treaty save Japan from bankruptcy?

The treaty relieved an unaffordable naval race, but economic rescue did not make Japan content with the imposed force ratio.

Japanese Navy Naval Economics Shipbuilding Ten Seven Ratio Washington Naval Treaty

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Question

Did the Washington Naval Treaty save the Japanese economy?

Short answer

Yes, it helped avert ruinous naval spending, but Japan could still resent the terms; a 10:7 ratio might have provided both restraint and greater security.

Notes

Continuing unrestricted construction risked exhausting Japanese finances. A 10:7 settlement could still have delivered savings by slowing the existing program while avoiding some of the resentment created by the historical 5:3 outcome.