Japan's policy of foreclosure (sakoku) for centuries saw it focus on coastal defenses to repel foreign ships. Eventually, however, with the advances made by other seafaring nations, it became apparent that Japan could no longer ignore the rest of the world. As an island power, it needed a modern navy. Japan turned to Britain for help and quickly created a powerful modern fleet. It was this capable and confident Navy that came out to fight the American Pacific Fleet.
The Japanese recognized the potential of the Luftwaffe early on and created an effective carrier arm. In addition to aircraft carriers, the Imperial Japanese Navy had a powerful battleship force that included the world's largest and most powerful battleships, the Yamato and the Musashi. The potential of the Imperial Japanese Navy was demonstrated in the 1941 attack on Pearl Harbor. With armor-piercing bombs and torpedoes, Japanese aircraft inflicted enormous damage on the American Pacific fleet lying at anchor.
Midway was the turning point of the naval war in the Pacific and from then on the Imperial Japanese Navy could not make any headway against the increasing carrier strength of the US Navy. As the victorious Allies advanced on the Japanese islands, the Imperial Japanese Navy fought desperately to contain them. Kamikaze aircraft and other suicide weapons were employed, and eventually Imperial Japanese Navy warships mounted death rides against US forces.
Contents:
- Kongo-class battleship Kongo 1941
- Shokaku-class carrier - Zuikaku
- Mogami class cruiser - Suzuya 1944
- Mogami class cruiser - Mikuma 1942
- Agano class cruiser - Yahagi 1943
- Kagero class destroyer 1941 x3
- Fighter aircraft - Mitsubishi A6M2 Zero x 4 flights
- Ship Cards and Damage Controls
- assembly instructions
Ships are in Resin and Warlord Resin
