The Role of Japanese Naval Force and Emergence of its International Status (1914-1921)

Abstract

To achieve its expansionist regional ambitions in China and Korea, and to protect its shipping lines in the Pacific Ocean, and to justify its claims in protecting East Asia from the dangers of German naval bases, on the one hand, and its endeavor to establish peace and prevent the spread of battles to the Far East, on the other hand. The research was concerned with the nature of these allegations and the extent of their truth, in light of tracking the role of the Japanese naval force during the First World War (1914- 1918), and then the emergence of its international standing until 1921, as the developments witnessed in those years represented an important opportunity for Japan at all levels, especially after Its victories made it a major naval power on the international level. However, the internal problems that always faced the Japanese naval power did not stand in the way of its ambitions, which succeeded in employing war as a means to obtain governmental financial specializations to implement its expansion and development programs, especially in light of the recovery of the Japanese economy during the war years as a result of Europe’s preoccupation with preparing the requirements of the war economy, which provided an opportunity Important for the Japanese industry and its various products in controlling the domestic and foreign markets and developing its heavy industry, especially the construction of warship docks, which led to an increase in its profits and the number of its industrial workers who, in the short term, caused a radical change in the structure of society. Despite its active participation in the First World War on the side of the friendly Entente countries and the protection of its merchant ships in the Mediterranean and its desire to join the European arena of operations, its expansionist ambitions and its attempt to control Siberia and obtain political and regional privileges in China and other regions on the one hand, and continue to increase Its spending on industry that supports the elements of strengthening, expanding and developing its naval power in 1920, in a way that amounts to international standards for its counterparts on the other hand. This led to the fear of Britain, the United States of America and France, and their doubts about Japan's real intentions and future dangers in the Far East and the Pacific Ocean, and then called for a conference in 1921 to determine international naval armaments, in a way that guarantees preventing Japan from being at the level of the major international naval powers.