Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) 大日本帝國海軍 (Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kaigun) |
|
---|---|
Active | 1868–1945 |
Country | Empire of Japan |
Allegiance |
Imperial General Headquarters Ministry of the Navy Navy General Staff |
Branch |
Combined Fleet Navy Air Service Navy Land Forces |
Type | Navy |
Engagements |
Invasion of Taiwan First Sino-Japanese War Russo-Japanese War World War I Second Sino-Japanese War World War II |
Commanders | |
Ceremonial chief | Emperor of Japan |
Notable commanders |
Isoroku Yamamoto Tōgō Heihachirō Itoh Sukeyuki Prince Fushimi Hiroyasu and many others |
The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN; Kyūjitai: 大日本帝國海軍 Shinjitai: 大日本帝国海軍 Dai-Nippon Teikoku Kaigun or 日本海軍 Nippon Kaigun, "Navy of the Greater Japanese Empire") was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1868 until 1945, when it was dissolved following Japan's defeat and surrender in World War II. It was controlled by the Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff and the Ministry of the Navy, both of which were nominally subordinate to the Emperor of Japan as supreme commander of the army and the navy. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) was formed after the dissolution of the IJN.
The Japanese Navy was the third largest navy in the world by 1920, behind the Royal Navy and the United States Navy (USN). It was supported by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service for aircraft and airstrike operation from the fleet. It was the primary opponent of the Western Allies in the Pacific War.