What were the reasons for Japan to enter WW1

[Joan and Terry]

Having just looked through "A Military Atlas of the First World War",I am still unsure as to the reasons Japan entered the war.They had 800,000 troops and suffered 300 dead,also had ships in Valetta Harbour Malta, I know they helped the British forces against the Germans in the Pacific area,but still trying to find out the reasons for joining the conflict,was it the beginning of their plans for expansion?

Joan

[CROONAERT]

The extension of control over Manchuria, the seizure of German held Chinese ports and (the excuse) fulfilling the terms of a treaty signed with Great Britain in 1902. In other words, yes - expansion plans.

dave

[Joan and Terry]

Dave,

Thank you for that,have you any idea why the Japanese had ships in Malta,the Mediterranean is a long way from the Pacific region.There does not seem to be a lot of information regarding Japans involvment in WW1 unless I am searching in the wrong area's.

Joan

[bruce]

If I remember correctly, the Japanese also sent observers to the Western Front.

Ships in Valetta could be to escort convoys, as the Japanese Navy was also expanding fast (more evidence of expansionist plans) and so took the opportunity of gaining experience in a war zone, albeit a ralatively safe one.

I seem to remember even seeing some Japanese headstones somewhere in France, but can't remember where (insipient senility!)

Regards

Bruce

[Borys]

Ahoj!

There were Japanese warships on Malta because the Allies begged for them. With USW in full swing, the Allies didn't have enough escorts. That is why there was a Japanese Destroyer Flotilla in the Mediterranean. And that is why in the annals of maritime warfare we have the singular instance of an Austrian Submarine torpedoing a Japanese Destroyer.

Japanese involvement in the war was tiny.

The Tsingtao siege, the Pacific Islands grab in 1914, Japanese ships assisting in the hunt for Graf von Spee and raiders in the Indian Ocean.

And then the 1917-18 destroyers in the Med.

Here you read about the ships:

http://www.naval-history.net/WW1NavyJapanese.htm

Borys

[CROONAERT]

Japanese involvement in the war was tiny.

The Tsingtao siege, the Pacific Islands grab in 1914, Japanese ships assisting in the hunt for Graf von Spee and raiders in the Indian Ocean.

And then the 1917-18 destroyers in the Med.

...and then the grab for Siberia (failed) in 1918.

Dave

[CROONAERT]

I seem to remember even seeing some Japanese headstones somewhere in France, but can't remember where (insipient senility!)

Le Havre by any chance?...

dave

[ian turner]

I think the Japanese also provided escort to early Australian troop convoy(s)?

Also not to overlook the Russo-Japanese war of 1905 and the subsequent boost to Japanese military pride.

I think I am right in saying that prior to USA entry in the war, The Royal Navy looked to Japan to cover the Pacific region, so as to free the fleet for duty closer to home.

Ian

[edwin astill]

John Masefield's "Letters from the Front" refers to the Japanese. If any one is interested I'll look up the reference tonight, but he observes that the Japanese were the Germans of the Far East, and predicted trouble with them. This was during WW1 when they were our allies. Always struck me as being remarkably prophetic.

Edwin

[Jonathan Saunders]

I think I am right in saying that prior to USA entry in the war, The Royal Navy looked to Japan to cover the Pacific region, so as to free the fleet for duty closer to home.

I think that is the extent of what we were expecting from the Japanese however Japan saw this an an opportunity to grab German held territory in China, which they duly did and expanded their war involvement to a larger extent than had been envisaged.

The entire position became more confused when the US declared war on Germany in 1917 which led to a chain reaction of virtually everyother country not already involved, also declaring war on Germany, including China. I am not sure of all the politics but the US had to rein in the Japanese expansion plans in China. Japan, as I understand it actually considered going to war against America in the Pacific but decided it was not a feasible option.

[Joan and Terry]

John Masefield's "Letters from the Front" refers to the Japanese. If any one is interested I'll look up the reference tonight, but he observes that the Japanese were the Germans of the Far East, and predicted trouble with them. This was during WW1 when they were our allies. Always struck me as being remarkably prophetic.

Edwin

Edwin,

I would certainly be interested with any information you can give.What little we have managed to read about the Japanese during WW1 was that they behaved totally opposite to WW11 when there attitude towards prisoners is well documented. Also thank you to every one else for providing us with information

Joan