Japan was better prepared for World War II Essay -- Japanese History,

After Japanese victories in the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, and World War I, Japanese experience and confidence in military operations began to soar. As early as 1905, Japan had identified the United States as their primary threat and began preparations to win a war against it. Despite Japan’s vast combat experience and military buildup prior to the Pacific War, their prewar preparation was only slightly more robust than the United States and this edge was eaten away by time for three different reasons. First, Japan began the Pacific War with slight technological advantages over the United States and believed they could use higher-quality technology to defeat the quantitative numbers of a larger foe. Second, Japan created doctrine and effectively trained tactics for military operations to counter an offensive by the United States. Lastly, Japan conceived a very plausible limited strategy. Technology The Japanese began manufacturing its own aircraft just toward the end of World War I. Japan received tremendous assistance from Great Britain, United States, Germany and many other countries and private companies prior to World War II. Through this they helped guide design as well as contributed or sold Japan a steady supply of equipment and engines. â€Å"During the course of the 1930s..the Japanese aircraft industry not only began to join the technological revolution in military aircraft design and construction†¦in certain fields (they) began to take the lead.† (Evans and Peattie, p300-304) As demonstrated against China, Japan understood aircraft carriers and what type of power projection they could bring over long distances upon an enemy. (Millett, p221) In response to this opportunity, Japan develo... ...d and demoralized their enemies. (Evans and Peattie, p445) Great potential industrial capability was present in the United States when Japan attacked, however, having such a potential and successfully harnessing it to the level the Americans did was not easy. Assuming the Americans Conclusion In summary, Japan’s military buildup before the Pacific War coupled with its recent combat experience left Japan’s prewar preparation only slightly more resolute than the United States and this advantage was deleted by time. Japan’s current technological position was superior to that of America’s at the start of the war where craftsmanship generated higher-quality products to defeat quantitative numbers of a larger foe. Japanese doctrine and training were simply better. Finally, Japan’s limited strategy was logically sound and culturally acceptable to them.