From the late 1800s, through WW1, and culminating around the 1920s Japan underwent a period of remarkable and rapid modernisation, in an effort to imitate and exceed the Great Powers of the world. This included an overhaul of Japan's ancient military, and the adoption of Western battle tactics and equipment. Eventually, Japan won a victory against the neighbouring Russian Empire, and also played a small part in defeating the Germans in WW1. Attacking China, in the 20s and 30s, Japan initially swept the under-equipped and technologically inferior Chinese forces from the field.
However, the Second World War saw military technology advance in leaps and bounds, around the world, and by the time Japan came to blows with the United States, its army was woefully lacking in reliable, modern equipment. Human-sea bayonet charges and rapid advance techniques, which had shattered the Chinese on the continent were turned-back by disciplined fire from easily portable machine guns, and - more notably - Semi Automatic infantry weapons - the M1 Garand and the M1 Carbine, in particular.
Despite calls from Japanese Officers for a similar weapon for the Japanese infantrymen, and a few poor attempts at copies of the Pederson and Garand - there never seemed to be any major effort to replace the bolt-action Arisaka with a faster-firing option. Of course, much of this is due to the Empire's lack of resources by the turning point of the war, and its focus on individual marksmanship, and close quarters combat.
But my question is this: what if, in the early days of the Second Sino-Japanese war, and prior to the US Embargo - the Japanese army adopted a standard-issue semi-automatic rifle? Would this have any effect on the course of its wars - both against China, and later the US and Allies? Would this have any ripple-effect upon the war in Europe?
However, the Second World War saw military technology advance in leaps and bounds, around the world, and by the time Japan came to blows with the United States, its army was woefully lacking in reliable, modern equipment. Human-sea bayonet charges and rapid advance techniques, which had shattered the Chinese on the continent were turned-back by disciplined fire from easily portable machine guns, and - more notably - Semi Automatic infantry weapons - the M1 Garand and the M1 Carbine, in particular.
Despite calls from Japanese Officers for a similar weapon for the Japanese infantrymen, and a few poor attempts at copies of the Pederson and Garand - there never seemed to be any major effort to replace the bolt-action Arisaka with a faster-firing option. Of course, much of this is due to the Empire's lack of resources by the turning point of the war, and its focus on individual marksmanship, and close quarters combat.
But my question is this: what if, in the early days of the Second Sino-Japanese war, and prior to the US Embargo - the Japanese army adopted a standard-issue semi-automatic rifle? Would this have any effect on the course of its wars - both against China, and later the US and Allies? Would this have any ripple-effect upon the war in Europe?