Yonai's first term as Navy Minister followed his promotion to full admiral in 1937. As a member of the Supreme War Council, he warned that worsening tensions with Britain and the United States risked overextending Japan while the Imperial Japanese Army remained tied down in China. Describing China as a quagmire may be a later characterization rather than Yonai's own word. Ultranationalists targeted him in several assassination attempts. Stories about his ability to defeat or evade attackers are difficult to verify. Family martial training may have helped, but that explanation remains speculation.
Chapter · 6:41-8:08
Warning against war while China remained a burden
As Navy Minister, Yonai viewed rising tension with Britain and the United States as especially dangerous while Japan was already committed in China.