Do the Japanese still see Pearl Harbour as a stunning victory?

Question

The Americans got a real kicking and at the time it was a major success for the Japanese.

All countries celebrate past victories in battle particually us English even where looking back, we were in the wrong.

How do the Japanese view it now?

Answer 1

I would think that when viewed as a single military operation it was a mixed success. It was a difficult operation to plan and execute and yet they sank or crippled many US capital ships and destroyed many US aircraft in Hawaii that day.

But when viewed in the larger context of WW2 and its aftermath, it was unsuccessful in gaining Japan the ultimate military victory it wanted over the other Asian countries it sought to conquer. First, the Imperial Navy failed to catch the American carriers in harbor that day, which was a key reason for the attack on Pearl Harbor. And it served as the catalyst that drove the US to declare war on Japan. Eventually the US defeated their armed forces, atomic bombed two major cities and forced Japan to face the humiliating occupation by the US military later on.

But if you view it from an economic standpoint, you could argue that it was a victory. By law, the Japanese military today is limited in size as a purely defensive force. Like many of its US-friendly Asian neighbors, it does not need to spend as much money on defending itself because it relies (ironically) on the US Marines and Seventh Fleet to come to its rescue should enemies come calling. The Japanese also learned a great deal from the US postwar occupation, including mass production techniques and how to make products that appealed to Americans. Japanese factories were shattered after the war. The Americans helped revive Japanese industry and helped lay the groundwork for the success of today's industrial giants like Toyota. When you look at Toyota threatening to outsell GM as the world's largest carmaker by 2010, you begin to rethink the ultimate impact of Pearl Harbor.

Answer 2

It cannot be considered a victory by anyone because prior to Dec. 7th. 1941 no state of war existed between the two nations. The Japanese may have considered it a triumph at the time, but as we all know, the cost was beyond belief.
How do the Japanese view it now? I think they are a nation who wish to forget the terrible events which the actions of, their then leaders, brought about. Obviously some things are never forgotten. But should this generation of Japanese people live with a guilt which is not theirs?
I am English, born 1943, grew up and worked with some men who were P.O.Ws. in Japanese camps. They said very little about it. Perhaps they had the right idea?
By the way, it is a very good question.

Answer 3

If I am Japanese, I would consider this to be a shameful victory, it was without honor, a hit below the belt, remember the Japanese struck minutes after their declaration of war.

In a hypothetical scenario that Pearl Harbour was on full battle and the fleet mobilised, it would still be a Japanese victory since there were more carriers/planes on the Japs side.

For all I am saying, the Japanese education system had wiped off this dirty chapter of their war and apart from those who survied the war, Pearl Harbour is gonna raise blank looks with the Japanese today.

Answer 4

I do not know that the Japanese ever thought of Peal Harbour as a great victory, Yamamoto planned it and immediately lamented because he wanted the Carriers. He already surmised that Battleships would be of little importance as the war continued!

Generally the Japanese only concern themselves with Battles that signify a change in philosophic or psychological attitudes and never the simple competetive thing!

Answer 5

Many didn't believe it was a stunning victory then. The Admiral that led the attack said, of the United States, "We have awoken a sleeping giant." He knew that there would be no good ending for Japan after Pearl Harbor.

have a nice day.

Answer 6

I hope an actual Japanese citizen answers this, preferably one with some historical knowledge.

Pragmatically speaking, considering the outcome of the war, I can't imagine they could consider it an ultimate success. It's a textbook example of winning the battle and losing the war.

In terms of strategy and stealth, it could technically be considered a successful attack. In terms of ultimate outcome, it was disastrous in more ways than one.

It would be interesting to get the candid opinion of a Japanese historian.

Answer 7

I do not think they do. The Japanese believe more in honouring their ancestors, hence the memorial observations at Hiroshima, Nagasaki ,Tokyo for example. They do not gloat on the deaths of their enemies.
For example in Karate if you accidentally strike your opponent where they are hurt, you go to the opposite corner and knell with your back to the other person. It is considered in poor taste to look at an injured opponent as it will embarress that person.Gloating is more of a western concept

Answer 8

back then, japanese thought it was the greatest thing they have ever done to prove themselves powerful. but when they got bombed and had to suffer and how the whole world hated them, they don't like it. they don't see it as a victory now and they don't teach their kids in history about it because they want to prove that they are the greatest still. every year the prime minister of japan visits malaysia and singapore to apologize for the japanese occupation in the southeast asia during WWII. on the whole they don't see it as a victory but still have their arrogance of what they were trying to prove.

Answer 9

I really doubt it could be considered a stunning victory when you put it in prospective, it led to the destruction of two cities, thousands dead, and brought down the Japanese Empire.

Answer 10

i';m not sure who they view it..but that was the start of ww2 and lets remember who won that one..VJday ( victory of Japan) I believe was August 16,1945. My favorite photgraph was taken then "the smack seen all around they world" this sailor and nurse were kissing in New York City Times square.