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This one is tricky as its down to mind set . Japan in WW 2 believed in the offensive and a decisive battle which would end any war before it's merchant marine could be threatened .
Several Japanese destroyers did serve in the Mediterranean in ww 1
My thoughts are that in 1918-1919 the Japanese recognise the dangers of submarines and therefore form an ASW command . They purchase enough surplus Kil class sloops to form an escort group and recruit former Royal Navyv officers as advisers
The idea being they will develop the framework of ASW warfare and tactics for any future conflict. The sloops eventually become fishery protection craft and patrol vessels but Japanese have developed a core of trained officers and tactics for any future war and maintain a small nucleus of vessels of their own design for on going training from this point .