The Story Woven by the British and Japanese Navy

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The Anglo-Japanese Alliance: A Bond Etched in the Tides

This time, I’d like to write about the alliance between Japan and the United Kingdom that lasted for about 20 years, beginning in 1902.
Today, many Japanese people aren’t even aware that Japan and the UK were once allies.
I’d like to introduce the deep bond forged between Japan and Britain, tracing the history of their Navy from the Anglo-Japanese Alliance to the present day.
This bond was more than just a historical alliance.
It shaped the very identity of the Imperial Japanese Navy and laid the foundation for the professional values and culture that are still inherited by the modern Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF).

In this article, we’ll look closely at the background of the alliance and the influence Britain had on Japan’s shipbuilding technology, tactics, and the hearts of its naval officers.
We will also reveal how seamanship and pride as a military professional became the core of this bond, cherished by both Navy and passed down through the ages.
This is not meant to glorify war but to honor the skills, discipline, and honor cultivated by those who live on the sea.

Table of Contents

1. Connecting the Fates of Maritime Nations: The Choice of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance

1.1. An Alliance Born of Necessity: Starting with a Practical Relationship

From the late 19th to the early 20th century, the international situation in East Asia was highly unstable.
The eastward expansion of the Russian Empire, in particular, posed a significant threat to both Britain, which had vested interests in the region, and Japan, which sought to protect its national security.
Britain was looking for a partner that could check Russia without having to directly use its own military power.
Japan, on the other hand, was seeking a strong ally to supplement its national strength and solidify its position in the international community.

Britain initially considered an alliance with Germany, but negotiations failed, so it turned its attention to Japan, a growing power with influence in Asia.
Thus, on January 30, 1902, the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was concluded.
This alliance was an agreement for both nations to mutually recognize and protect each other’s interests in the Qing Dynasty and the Korean Empire.
Its primary objective was to curb Russian and German movements in the Far East.

The alliance was born out of geopolitical necessity and was, first and foremost, a practical arrangement.
However, this strategic partnership didn’t just stop at political and military cooperation.
It opened the door to technical and personal exchanges that enabled the subsequent growth of the Imperial Japanese Navy.
The fact that this purely utilitarian relationship developed into a deep bond for the inheritance of professional knowledge and culture is one of the most important aspects of the alliance.

1.2. The Terms of the Alliance That Served as a Strategic Shield

The terms of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance clearly outlined the strategic interests of both nations.
If one country went to war with a third party, the other was to remain neutral.
However, if multiple countries were to fight an ally, the other party was obligated to provide assistance and fight alongside them.

This provision was critically important for Japan.
It effectively prevented third parties, especially France and Germany, which were close to Russia, from joining in if Japan were to go to war with Russia.
With the world’s strongest navy, the Royal Navy, as its backer, Japan was able to fight the Russian fleet alone, which was an essential condition for Japan’s victory in the Russo-Japanese War.
Furthermore, the two countries also promised not to make any other agreements that would harm each other’s interests and to contact each other in times of crisis, which shows just how close this cooperative relationship was.

2. The Foundation of Steel and Seamanship: Influence from the Royal Navy

2.1. The Empire’s Armory: British Shipbuilding Technology and Financial Support

The Anglo-Japanese Alliance contributed to the creation of Japan’s modern navy in concrete ways.
The first step was the supply of state-of-the-art warships.
All six of the Imperial Japanese Navy’s core battleships were built in Britain.
The most symbolic of these was the flagship of the Combined Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War, the Mikasa.
Completed in 1902 by the British company Vickers, the Mikasa was hailed as the largest and strongest battleship in the world at the time and became a symbol of the Japanese Navy’s technological prowess.

This cooperation was not just about material support.
Britain also played a crucial role in a national effort to raise funds for the Russo-Japanese War.
When Bank of Japan Vice Governor Korekiyo Takahashi struggled to sell Japanese government bonds in London, the support of British and American bankers was essential.
This financial cooperation also greatly contributed to Japan’s victory.
The provision of British shipbuilding technology and capital laid an unshakable foundation for the Japanese Navy to build a fighting force that could stand shoulder to shoulder with the world’s great powers.

2.2. Architects of Modern Tactics: Royal Navy Advisors

The bond between Japan and Britain deepened further through the transfer of tactics and knowledge, not just the delivery of warships.
Advisors invited from the Royal Navy directly taught modern naval tactics to Japanese naval officers, dramatically improving their capabilities.

One particularly notable figure was John Ingles.
From 1887 to 1893, he served as an instructor at the Japanese Naval War College and as an advisor to the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Ingles advocated for the use of high-speed warships equipped with quick-firing guns on their sides and thoroughly taught the Japanese Navy the single line formation tactic to concentrate firepower.
This tactic was different from the prevailing echelon formation of the time, and his three principles of “speed, firepower, and gunnery” became the basis for the Japanese Navy’s actions for decades to come.
Ingles’s guidance can be said to have laid the foundation for Japan’s future naval battles.

Furthermore, British support was indispensable in the field of aviation technology.
The 19th Lord Sempill, William Forbes-Sempill, led an aviation technical mission to Japan after World War I and made a significant contribution to the creation of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Service.
These advisors didn’t just teach technology; they also conveyed the very philosophy of how a naval organization should be and how it should be operated.

Name	Role	Period of Contribution	Key Contributions
John Ingles	Naval War College Professor, Naval Advisor	1887 – 1893	“Speed, Firepower, and Gunnery” principles, development and instruction of the single line formation tactic
William Forbes-Sempill	Aviation Technical Advisor	1919 – 1922	Establishment and technical guidance of the Imperial Japanese Naval Air Service

The guidance of these advisors was not merely the transmission of knowledge.
By instilling the principles of modern naval warfare in the Japanese Navy, they provided an unshakeable foundation for Japan to develop its own unique tactics and achieve innovation.
As a result, the Japanese Navy didn’t just imitate; it added its own creative ingenuity and elevated its teacher’s lessons to an even higher level.

2.3. The Training of Commanders: Marshal Admiral Heihachiro Togo’s Study Abroad in Britain

The bond between Japan and Britain was deepened not only by warships and tactics but also by nurturing the spirit of the people who operated them, especially the commanders.
The story of Marshal Admiral Heihachiro Togo, who served as Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet during the Russo-Japanese War, is the most symbolic example of this human bond.

Togo originally wanted to be a railway engineer, but persuaded by his senior from his hometown, Saigo Takamori, he decided to pursue a naval career and studied in Britain at government expense for seven years starting in 1871.
This period of study abroad changed his life.
After his basic studies at a college, he underwent rigorous practical training at a merchant marine school using the training ship Worcester as a classroom.
He was highly praised by his instructors and classmates as “academically outstanding, of good character, and well-mannered.”

However, the most valuable lesson he gained there was not just technical knowledge or how to handle a ship.
By living and working with British sailors, he experienced their patriotism and loyalty to their country firsthand.
Togo was impressed by the sight of these men, who, even though they were merchant sailors, were prepared to go to the battlefield for their country if needed, and he learned that the source of their pride was their deep love for their nation.
This experience, more than anything else, completed him not just as a technician but as a commander and a “man of the sea.”

In this way, his time in Britain instilled in Togo not only technical knowledge but also the professionalism and spirit essential for a naval officer.
This story tells us that the bond between the two countries was not merely a formal one but was nurtured by deep human interaction.

3. The Test of Battle: Shared Principles Proven in Naval Combat

3.1. The Battle of the Yellow Sea: The Effectiveness of British-Style Tactics

About a decade before the Anglo-Japanese Alliance was concluded, the Battle of the Yellow Sea during the First Sino-Japanese War provided the first opportunity to prove how effective the tactics learned from Britain were in actual combat.
The Japanese Combined Fleet, using the single line formation tactic taught by John Ingles, defeated the Qing Dynasty’s Beiyang Fleet. In this battle, the Japanese Navy successfully controlled its speed, maximized the advantage of its broadside quick-firing guns, and overwhelmed the enemy fleet with concentrated firepower.

This Japanese victory was not just a win by a newly emerging power in Asia over a stronger one; it demonstrated to the world that the single line formation tactic advocated by Ingles surpassed the echelon formation, which was the mainstream naval tactic of the time.
This success made the single line formation a global naval standard and proved how innovative and practical the knowledge the Japanese Navy had inherited from Britain was.

3.2. The Pinnacle of Seamanship: The Battle of Tsushima

The Battle of Tsushima during the Russo-Japanese War was the ultimate form of seamanship, where the teachings received from Britain and Japan’s unique ingenuity came together as one.
Commander-in-Chief of the Combined Fleet Heihachiro Togo intercepted Russia’s Baltic Fleet, which had traveled a great distance from Europe, off the coast of Tsushima.

The victory in this battle was no accident.
It was the result of a meticulously planned interception strategy, superior tactics, and the high level of training and pride of the navy’s officers and sailors.
Togo’s “crossing the T” maneuver was an evolution of the single line formation tactic, a bold and precise maneuver in which his fleet was positioned perpendicularly to the enemy fleet’s line of advance to unleash a concentrated barrage of fire.
This move was completely unexpected by the Baltic Fleet and speaks to the Japanese Navy’s excellent judgment and high level of training.

Furthermore, the battle was decided by Japan’s own technological innovation.
The new Japanese-made high-explosive shells loaded onto the British-built battleships were the culmination of unique technologies: Shimose powder and the Ijuin fuse.
When these shells hit their target from a distance, they scattered high-temperature gases (up to 3,000 degrees Celsius) and countless fragments, causing extensive damage to the enemy ships’ superstructures and crew, and igniting fires.
This showed that Japanese engineers had added their own ingenuity to the technical foundation received from Britain, proving that the exchange between the two countries was not just about imitation.

The victory at the Battle of Tsushima was the result of a combination of the latest warships, advanced tactics, and uniquely developed weapons.
But more than that, this victory was a testament to the seamanship shared by both Navy: outstanding maneuverability, unwavering discipline, and an indomitable spirit in the face of adversity.
This battle should be highly praised not just as a military victory but as a moment when the professionalism and pride of those who live on the sea came to fruition.

4. A Living Legacy: From the Imperial Navy to the Maritime Self-Defense Force

4.1. An Inherited Spirit: The Tradition of Seamanship and Discipline

Although the Imperial Japanese Navy was disbanded, its culture and spirit are still passed down to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force, which was established after the war. This inheritance proves that the bond nurtured by the Japanese and British Navy is not just a historical event but a “tradition” that continues to live on today.

Particularly famous is the “5-Minutes-to-the-Hour Spirit”.
This is the mindset of having all preparations completed five minutes before the scheduled time for assembly, training, or the start of an operation.
This spirit embodies the “foresight” and “ability to execute reliably” of seamanship, demonstrating the professionalism of a naval officer who is always ready to perform a mission in the best possible condition.

Furthermore, on JMSDF destroyers, the command for combat readiness, Kassen Junbi (literally, “battle preparations”), which has been passed down from the Imperial Navy era, is still used today.
This phrase, which is rooted in the samurai code of honorable combat, is a spiritual anchor for the crew to refresh their resolve to prepare themselves mentally and physically to protect the nation.
In addition, the command Yosoro during a voyage has also been inherited from the Imperial Navy, symbolizing the sailor’s spirit of “sailing straight ahead toward the goal with conviction.”

At the JMSDF Officer Candidate School in Etajima, Hiroshima Prefecture, the Gosei (Five Reflections), a tradition that continues from the Imperial Naval Academy, is still recited every night.
These five precepts of sincerity, effort, physical and mental training, responsibility, and perseverance are a vital tradition for cultivating the ethics and character of a naval officer by asking these questions of oneself daily.

Tradition Name	Origin and Meaning	Modern Application
The “5-Minutes-to-the-Hour Spirit”	Derived from the time required to relay commands on a ship. A mindset of completing all preparations 5 minutes early to perform at 100%.	A basic principle for all actions, including assembly, training, and the start of operations.
Kassen Junbi	The command to begin combat preparations. To reaffirm the resolve to engage in honorable combat based on the samurai code.	Still used on modern destroyers during combat preparations.
Yosoro	A corruption of yoroshiku soro (“please proceed well”). The sailor’s spirit of proceeding straight toward a goal with conviction.	A command used during voyages and a philosophy that is still passed down.
Gosei (Five Reflections)	Conceived by Rear Admiral Hajime Matsushita, the director of the Imperial Naval Academy. Nurtures character and ethics through five questions.	Still recited every night at the JMSDF Officer Candidate School.

These traditions are not just formalities.
They are a living philosophy that teaches how to behave as a team, as an organization, and as an individual in the harsh environment of the sea.
The spirit passed down from the Royal Navy to the Imperial Japanese Navy and then to the JMSDF is a testament to the professionalism shared by the Navy of both countries.

4.2. A Shared Maritime Culture: Culinary and Ceremonial Traditions

The bond between Japan and Britain influenced not only military teachings but also daily life and culture.
The Royal Navy’s food culture, particularly the custom of eating naval curry and drinking whiskey, was passed down to the JMSDF via the Imperial Japanese Navy.
Eating curry once a week and enjoying whiskey on board ships are warm facets that symbolize the cultural bond shared by the Navy of both countries.

Additionally, ceremonies and saluting customs have common roots.
The customs of saluting foreign ships, firing a salute in honor of the dead, and the manner of saluting according to rank were adopted by the Imperial Japanese Navy from the Royal Navy and are even detailed in the JMSDF’s regulations.
These ceremonies are a crucial element for the Navy of both countries to maintain a shared professional identity and pride.

4.3. Modern Cooperation and a Continuing Bond

The historical relationship has not faded into a mere past event; it has evolved into a new form of modern cooperation.
The modern Royal Navy and the JMSDF are strengthening their collaboration through regular joint exercises and ship port calls.
The participation of the UK’s Carrier Strike Group in joint exercises with the JMSDF in Japan shows that the historical bond between the two countries continues to be significant in the modern international security environment.
This proves that the mutual trust inherited from history and shared professional values serve as the foundation for their modern strategic partnership.

Conclusion: A Timeless Bond Nurtured by the Sea

The bond between the Navy of Japan and the UK, which began with the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, transcended mere military cooperation and built a deep cultural and human legacy.
Britain provided Japan with state-of-the-art warships, advanced tactics, and the spirit of a naval officer.
In turn, Japan faithfully learned these lessons and enhanced them with its own unique ingenuity.
This relationship was not just about imitation; it was a process of mutual respect and learning.

The true value of this bond lies not in battlefield victories but in the professionalism and pride of the individual military personnel who supported it.
The spirit that Heihachiro Togo learned during his study abroad in Britain and the traditions like the “5-Minutes-to-the-Hour Spirit” and Kassen Junbi that were nurtured by the Imperial Navy and passed on to the JMSDF are a testament to the discipline, foresight, and sense of duty that people who live in the harsh environment of the sea must share.

Even today, the Navy of both countries maintain and further develop that bond through joint exercises.
This tells us that the history etched in the tides continues to live on in new forms as a timeless legacy.
This bond is not a glorification of war; it is a story that transcends time, celebrating the dedication and honor of those who protect the seas.