Making Waves: Politics, Propaganda, and the Emergence of the Imperial Japanese Navy, 1868-1922

by J. Charles Schencking

This book explores the political emergence of the Imperial Japanese Navy between 1868 and 1922. It fundamentally challenges the popular notion that the navy was a 'silent,' apolitical service. Politics, particularly budgetary politics, became the primary domestic focus―if not the overriding preoccupation―of Japan's admirals in the prewar period. This study convincingly demonstrates that as the Japanese polity broadened after 1890, navy leaders expanded their political activities to secure appropriations commensurate with the creation of a world-class blue-water fleet. The navy's sophisticated political efforts included lobbying oligarchs, coercing cabinet ministers, forging alliances with political parties, occupying overseas territories, conducting well-orchestrated naval pageants, and launching spirited propaganda campaigns. These efforts by 1921 naval expenditures equaled nearly 32 percent of the country's total budget, making Japan the world's third-largest maritime power. The navy, as this book details, made waves at sea and on shore, and in doing so significantly altered the state, society, politics, and empire in prewar Japan.

Genres: History, Japanese History, Japan

298 pages, Hardcover

First published January 18, 2005

About the author

J. Charles Schencking is a historian of Japan. He is currently professor of history in the Department of History at the University of Hong Kong.

Reviews

[Patrick Link · Rating 5 out of 5]

A political companion to the the strategic classic Kaigun by Evan’s and Peattie on the Imperial Japanese Navy from it’s origins to its height of domestic political success on the eve of the Washington Naval Treaty Schencking stresses the service’s pragmatic use of the political system it was born in and how it expanded with it. A most interesting part was the first premiership of Yamamoto Gonnohyoe and his support for liberalizing the Army and Navy cabinet minister selections that was lost in the throes of the Siemens scandal. Perhaps if this had gotten through Japanese democracy would have gained more stability?

[Greg Boyer · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very easy to read. Japanese history is heavily periodized so it's incredibly intuitive. Excellent foundation for understanding the origins of Japanese imperialism and how it differs from European style. I wish we could've had a bit more emphasis on inter-clan politics, which could've been a fantastic way to relate the importance of this topic into the current day. Now that I've read this book I can make people think I'm cool by showing off how much Japanese history I know.

[CL Chu · Rating 3 out of 5]

A dissection of Imperial Navy's involvement in parliamentary politics. Sometimes the book can get swamped in dry budgetary debate, and the discussion on shipbuilding industry seems lacking, but in general a useful reading for understanding the root of militarism and naval expansion.