Nazi Germany vs. Imperial Japan?

Question

I think Its clear these were the 2 most powerful Axis countries in WW2. So my question is which country was more powerful? Who would win an all out war with each other if the Allies were not involved?

Answer 1

I think Germany.
The Japanese were very ruthless and dedicated soldiers. They believed that their Emperor was a god, and that Japan was the most blessed country on earth. In their belief, every other nation was filled with infidels and lesser people. Their big drawback was that they did not have large amounts of natural resources with which to build war materials. They had NO natural petroleum resources, and very little iron and coal...plus, their industrial base made a number of strategic mistakes. They had WAY too many different types of weaponry...so they had to make and supply several different calibers of ammunition and artillery rounds, etc. There was very little standardization.
Germany, on the other hand, had a very efficient industrial base. Their engineering expertise resulted in standardization, and they also had raw materials readily available. They also went through a very militaristic period at the time, and their army...though not as fanatic as Japan's...was almost as strong.
I think the industrial and resource advantage that Germany had would have been the difference. (As it usually has been in most wars throughout history.)

Answer 2

Germany had a larger more powerful military. The Japanese had some bad trends in their defensive strategies. Fighting in place without withdrawing due to possible loss of face is not a good idea generally.
The Germans did have to cope with the ridiculous Fuhrer befehls (orders) which had no relationship to reality by the end of the war.
I have read that the German NCO corps was one of the most professional in the history of warfare. Good NCOs can make a an army far more effective, bad ones can break an army.
I think if Hitler hadn't placed such a stupid emphasis on making the ME-262 a bomber instead of a fighter for much of its life it could've been a real factor in any conflict.
The Germans lack of a strategic 4 engine long-distance bomber also held them back.
I do think the Japanese were a formidable foe for anyone, but the Germans would've prevailed in a direct one one one conflict.

Answer 3

The German war machine was one of the most powerful armies of all time, relative to the rest of the world at the time. The Japanese took on America and that's it...the Americans were also occupied in Western Europe, to different extents as the war went on.

The Germans, on the other hand, took on some of the best militaries in the world and came close to winning. They had the most advanced technology (including an undercover super-weapon that they tried to transport via the Japanese, and high-tech swept-wing jets that were never mass produced because Germany ran out of time and pilots). The Germans were by at least 2-1 more powerful than any nation in the world at the time, including Japan.

It should be noted, though, that the two nations fought in totally different styles, and that the Japanese navy would have easily outclassed anything the Germans had at the time.

Answer 4

Both would have major problems -
Japan needed Indonesian/Mayasian islands' oil supply - just like Germany needed the Russian oilfields in the Caucases.
Japan probably would've had their hands full in pitched air battles, but then, Germany's blitzkrieg was conducted on land - not island-to-island as the Americans and Australians were forced to do, so it's success would've probably been drastically reduced. I would give the edge to German, jet-powered Messerschmitts, rather than more manuverable Japanese Zeroes.
Long supply lines probably would've been the deciding factor in a "Germany v. Japan" war, and as long as the Wolfpacks and Luftwaffe did thier jobs, I believe Germany would've defeated the Japanese in less than 6 years.

Answer 5

Based on the geography, and the time...it just wouldn't have happened. What benefit would it have either country to battle each other. Unless you are speculating that the two had taken over the rest of the world prior to this battle..it would then break down to what natural resources etc. they had accumulated.

I would say this question is basically impossible to answer.

Answer 6

Germany would win easily

Answer 7

I would say Germany. Much more mobilized than even the Allies were, but numbers beat them.

Answer 8

Ask yourself this, which one is about to overtake America? They must have had a few more things or conditions right. Which one do we compete with the most if we admit it or not?

Answer 9

Pure speculation of past history proves nothing. Do not waste your valuable time in such pure fantasy.

Answer 10

germany - it took a coalition to beat them