Imperial Japanese Army in the interwars period operational concept, war plans and the japanese state strategic goals

Abstract

This article consists of an initial and exploratory research on the doctrinal formulation of the Imperial Army of Japan and its consequent concept and operational planning in the interwar period. The concept developed in this period, and eventually applied in World War II in Asia, was called Sokkusen Sokketsu (“Fast Combat, Fast Decision”). The article uses a historical-explanatory methodology. Its objective is to demonstrate that the doctrine’s independent formulation resulted in a detachment between the objectives of the Japanese State and the objectives listed in the war. For this, the article initially discusses the relationship between doctrine and Grand Strategy and, later, seeks to relate the Japanese doctrinal formulation to its international, security, and historical context. Thus, it is argued that the doctrinal and operational assessment cannot exist detached from the historical, economic, and social context in which the country finds itself. That is, the doctrinal effectiveness must be considered from the strategic objectives of a State.