At the beginning of the Pacific War in December 1941, which was during World War II, the Imperial Japanese Navy was the third most powerful navy in the world, and Japan's naval air service was one of
Isoroku Yamamoto, on board the battleship Nagato in 1940. Yamamoto was responsible for changing the IJN's strategy from a passive one to a more offensive one, with his advocacy of attacking the U.S. Pacific fleet at Pearl Harbor.
A Mitsubishi A6M Zero fighter on the carrier Akagi
The IJN in the Indian Ocean. Ships shown from left to right are: Akagi, Sōryū, Hiryū, Hiei, Kirishima, Haruna, and Kongō. Taken from the Zuikaku, March 30.
Japanese carrier dive bombers head towards the reported position of American carriers on May 7.
Imperial Japanese Navy
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The Imperial Japanese Navy was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945, when it was dissolved following Japan's surrender in World War II. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force was formed be
Imperial Japanese Navy in World War II
…Imperial Japanese Navy warships in World War II Type Number Battleships 12 Fleet carriers 13 Light carriers 7 Escort carriers 10 Heavy cruisers 18 Light cruisers 25 Destroyers…
The Battle of Dan-no-ura in 1185
The warship of Yamada Nagamasa (1590–1630), a merchant and soldier who traveled to Ayutthaya (Thailand)
No. 6 Odaiba battery, one of the original Edo-era battery islands. These batteries are defensive structures built to withstand naval intrusions.
Replica of the Japanese-built 1613 galleon San Juan Bautista, in Ishinomaki