1934: Japan Renounces the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 and the London Naval Treaty of 1930
The renouncement of the Washington Naval Treaty of 1922 and the London Naval Treaty of 1930 by Japan in 1934 marked a significant turning point in global military diplomacy, particularly in the context of naval arms control. This decision would lay the groundwork for Japan’s growing militarism and its increasing departure from international diplomatic norms, setting the stage for its aggressive expansionism leading up to World War II.
The Washington Naval Treaty of 1922: A Framework for Naval Disarmament
The Washington Naval Treaty, also known as the Five-Power Naval Limitation Treaty, was signed on February 6, 1922, at the Washington Naval Conference. The treaty was a landmark agreement between the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, France, and Italy, with the goal of preventing an arms race following World War I. These countries, representing the leading naval powers of the time, agreed to limit the size and number of warships to prevent excessive military spending and maintain peace in an increasingly unstable post-war world.
The treaty sought to establish a balance of power at sea, particularly between the United States, the United Kingdom, and Japan, which were seen as the main naval rivals in the Pacific region. The terms of the treaty included:
- A cap on the total tonnage of warships for each country. The U.S. and the UK were allowed to maintain fleets of 5:5:3 ratio, meaning for every five tons of naval ships owned by the United States and Britain, Japan could only have three.
- A ban on the construction of new battleships and aircraft carriers for 10 years, with provisions for the eventual reduction of existing fleets.
- Restrictions on the size and armament of warships and the creation of new categories of ships.
- The establishment of a naval holiday, during which no new warships would be constructed beyond the set limits.
Japan had initially supported the treaty, hoping to prevent a naval arms race with the United States and Britain. However, Japan's leaders became increasingly dissatisfied with the terms of the agreement, which they perceived as unfairly restrictive. The disproportionate naval tonnage ratio, in which Japan was allotted a much smaller fleet than the U.S. and the UK, was seen as undermining Japan’s regional power aspirations.
The London Naval Treaty of 1930: Attempts at Further Control
The London Naval Treaty, signed on April 22, 1930, was a follow-up to the Washington Naval Treaty, and aimed to further limit the expansion of naval armaments in the wake of the Great Depression. The treaty expanded on the terms of the Washington agreement and added new provisions for submarines and other types of naval vessels.
While the Washington Treaty focused largely on battleships and aircraft carriers, the London Naval Treaty addressed the issue of submarine warfare, which was becoming increasingly important during the interwar years. The agreement placed limitations on the tonnage of submarines that could be built by the signatory powers, with the goal of preventing the use of these vessels in an aggressive and destabilizing manner.
The London Treaty also introduced the concept of naval parity between the U.S., the UK, and Japan, but again, the terms were seen by Japan as unfavorable. Despite some modifications to the Washington Naval Treaty, Japan was still in a subordinate position in terms of naval strength, especially compared to the United States and the United Kingdom. While Japan accepted the treaty, there were growing frustrations within the country about the imbalance in naval power.
Japan’s Growing Discontent
By the early 1930s, Japan had grown increasingly dissatisfied with the constraints placed on its naval capabilities by the Washington and London treaties. Several factors contributed to this discontent, leading to Japan’s ultimate decision to renounce the agreements in 1934.
Economic Hardship and Nationalism: The Great Depression had deeply affected Japan's economy, creating widespread frustration among the population and in the military. The economic crisis heightened calls for a more assertive foreign policy, as Japan sought to secure access to new markets and resources, particularly in China and the Pacific. Nationalist sentiments were rising, and many believed that Japan needed to build a larger and more powerful military to assert its interests in East Asia.
Militarism and Expansionism: In the 1930s, Japan's military, particularly the army and navy, gained increasing influence over the country’s political decision-making. The military leadership felt that Japan’s security could not be ensured by relying on international agreements and that the country’s strategic needs required greater naval strength. As Japan became more militaristic and began its aggressive expansion in Asia, including the invasion of Manchuria in 1931, there was less tolerance for international treaties that restricted military growth.
Disillusionment with Western Powers: Japan had long been frustrated by the unequal treatment it received from Western powers, especially in terms of its naval limitations. The terms of the Washington and London treaties were seen as discriminatory by many in Japan, particularly after the country had emerged as a major world power following its victory in the Russo-Japanese War (1904-1905). Japan felt that it was being treated as a secondary power, with its naval potential capped while the United States and the United Kingdom enjoyed superior naval strength.
The Rise of Militarist Factions: The 1930s saw the rise of more radical factions within the Japanese military and political circles. These groups were increasingly critical of Japan’s participation in international treaties that they saw as undermining the nation’s sovereignty and security. The military leadership advocated for a more aggressive stance in foreign policy, including the expansion of Japan’s military and territorial possessions, and argued that Japan needed to break free from the constraints imposed by Western powers.
Japan Renounces the Naval Treaties
In 1934, Japan took the decisive step of renouncing both the Washington Naval Treaty and the London Naval Treaty. The decision to withdraw from these treaties was a clear indication of Japan’s intention to abandon the principles of naval disarmament and embark on a path of rearmament and military expansion.
The immediate effect of Japan’s withdrawal was the cessation of any formal constraints on the expansion of its navy. This move allowed Japan to begin the construction of new battleships and aircraft carriers, and to modernize and enlarge its fleet. The navy, which had long been a symbol of national pride and power, was now free to pursue a more aggressive and expansive policy.
Japan’s renouncement of the naval treaties also signaled a shift in its foreign policy. The country began to move away from the idea of cooperation with the Western powers and towards an increasingly confrontational stance. The decision to break free from the naval agreements was a key step in Japan’s trajectory towards militarism, which would culminate in its involvement in World War II.
International Reactions and Consequences
The international community reacted strongly to Japan’s decision to renounce the naval treaties. The United States and the United Kingdom, in particular, viewed Japan’s actions with alarm. The decision was seen as a repudiation of the spirit of cooperation and disarmament that had characterized the naval treaties, and it heightened tensions in the Pacific region.
The U.S. and the UK both had significant naval interests in the Pacific, and Japan’s withdrawal from the naval agreements increased fears of a potential arms race. This move further exacerbated existing concerns over Japan’s growing military aggression in Asia. The renouncement also raised the prospect of Japan expanding its influence in the Pacific at the expense of the Western powers, which had extensive colonial holdings in the region.
Despite the international backlash, Japan pressed forward with its rearmament program. In 1937, Japan launched a full-scale invasion of China, marking the beginning of its expansionist campaign in Asia. This aggressive foreign policy, combined with the strengthening of Japan’s military forces, would eventually lead to its involvement in World War II.
Conclusion
Japan’s renouncement of the Washington and London Naval Treaties in 1934 was a pivotal moment in the interwar period. It marked the end of Japan’s commitment to naval disarmament and foreshadowed the country’s increasing militarization and expansionism. The decision was rooted in a combination of economic pressures, growing nationalism, dissatisfaction with the Western powers, and the rise of militarist factions within Japan’s government and military.
This bold move set the stage for Japan’s aggressive actions in the years that followed, culminating in the outbreak of World War II. By rejecting the limitations imposed by the naval treaties, Japan demonstrated its resolve to pursue a policy of military dominance in Asia, leading to a series of events that would reshape the global order and alter the course of history.