alternatehistory.com

Britain essentially built the steam age IJN, as well as consulting on early aircraft carriers. Why did Britain think it was in its interest to create a new first rate naval and military power in the Far East?

Sure, there was the worry about German unification and its expanding navy resulting in much of the RN being recalled to home waters, but that’s still no reason for arming Japan. There was no threat to Britain that could be delegated to Japan if the RN exited the region, as Japan was the only power in the region.

I understand the sense of selling cruisers and even battleships to South Americans, Greece and Turkey. These folks can’t threaten the empire. But why arm Japan? The ANZ folks must have complained every time a new Japanese cruiser or battleship was delivered from British yards.

As an aside, here’s the first Japanese warship to visit London since 1902, https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/ar...-ship-squeezes-Tower-Bridge-sails-Thames.html
Top