The Washington treaty era created an unstable interval rather than a durable balance. Japan moved from uneasy cooperation and technology sharing with the other leading naval powers toward fear that its reduced ratio guaranteed defeat. The Two-Ocean Navy Act ended even that temporary opportunity because Japanese industry could not match the American building program. The resulting deadline helps explain why leaders who expected to lose a long war could still support an immediate gamble.
Notable Point · 56:04-57:40
American rearmament closed Japan's remaining strategic window
The same treaty system that encouraged Japanese insecurity temporarily limited American strength, but the Two-Ocean Navy Act made future competition impossible.