Could Imperial Japan have won a war against Nazi Germany?

Question

I have asked this question before, but with no satisfactory answers. It is understandable why most people think the German's might have prevailed, given the ineptitude of the Japanese government. But, what if Admiral Yamamoto -naval genoius that he was- had not been killed and went on to lead the Japanese Combined Fleet against the Bismarck and her sisterships? Would Germany's army have gained enough resource rich territory to able to press on into China and face the Japanese there or would Japan have knocked Germany out of the game on the water? Please give me your views on this. Those learned in military history and military science could give me the best answers.

Answer 1

Dude I could write a paper on that

Based on your Question- I'm going to make the following assumptions on preconditions
1) 1940 Germany gains complete control of the French fleet and gets significant French collaboration
2) 1941 - Germany Launches a semi sucessful Operation Sea Lion - England's ability to actively combat Germany diminishes greatly- Japan and the US come to an agreement on Oil exports and Pearl Harbour does not occur.
3) 1942- China,Austrailia, England, Russia and North Affrica fall- German and Japanese troops link up on mainland Asia, Roosevelt loses the US Presidential election to a isolationist Republican.
4) 1943- Outbreak of Sino-Teuton war over territorial / resource disputes over portions of Russia.

The determining principal factor would be wealth, excluding US owned and controlled assets, Germany would have control of about 70% of the worlds monetary assets via European control with more of it being disposable due to both their greater access to natural resources and already inplace moden infrastructure.

Both Nations would rely heavily on proxy armies and foreign troops- but the use of the US as a manufacturing and supply base would be key. With greater wealth, Germany would be able to purchase neutral US mass production and industry to a far greater degree, giving them the determining edge in what would be a prolonged war marked by periods of high intensity and periods of quiet.

1948- Japanese forces expelled from mainland Asia

Germany would not be able to defeat a strong and/or well led Japanese Navy on the open seas- therefore the largest airborne invasion in histroy would be launched from Korea while a concentrated U-Boat and ariel stategy would be pursued- with SS Chinese and SS Russian Proxy troops used in Naval transport for the seaborne invasion attempts to get by the under siege Japanese fleet.

A very fragile foot hold would be established in Japan by German controlled forces- and a long bloody and brutal war would continue until the mid 1950's with Japn finally succumbing as Germany's grasp on it's empire is falling apart.

Answer 2

The problems with alternat histories is the paradoxes one must overcome.

The Imperial Japanese and NAZIs had many technology exchanges and much cross training. So some technology supremacy arguements cannot go far.

Also, this has to discount Allied involvement in the war between the two. But, for the sake of achedemic argument, I will answer based on the following:

For this to work, we have to stay that Germany did NOT invade France and only conquered Poland. Being that Europe in 1938 is like the UN now, Germany might have gotten away with that. This frees Germany for battle with Imperial Japan.

For the IJs, they have to have left the US and China alone (taking only Korea and several Islands). The IJs would also have to leave the Dutch, French, and English colonies alone. Lastly, they would have to leave Australia alone.

We must also use 1938 as the tech year since many of the Axis advances were because of pressures from the allies. it's the paradox thing again. How would Germany know it needed the Panther tank or the MP44 rifle if it never faced a T-34 or the M1 Garand?

This may turn into a book... Ok, so now Germany in 1938 vs Japan in 1938. Germany has better infantry weapons but the IJs have a better (and more numerous) navy. Germany has little, if any landing craft. Both have good aircraft, but Germany has bigger bombers. both have severe resource issues. Both are VERY far apart.

In the end, it would be a draw. Germany could take an island, but not advance far beyond that. Germany had little doctrine for amphibious operations. The war would turn into large scale naval actions with IJN Carriers going up against German land based fighters. The German Wolf Pack sub teams could decimate IJN convoys, however, IJN subs would play havoc on the smaller NAZI surface formations.

The truly interesting aspect is HOW the technology would evolve between the two.

Answer 3

I'm going to say that the Japanese would probably have defeated the Nazis due to their naval power. Germany had no real navy besides U-boats and the Japs had a lot of submarines of their own. The Japanese would have been able to keep the Germans contained due to their navy, however, the German army would have beaten the Japanese in most land battles. Air power would also have to go to Germany but because of the geographic locations of the two countries. germany's Lufftwaffe would have been limited to how much damage it could do, it's not like Japan is where Britiain is in location.

Answer 4

I hate some idiots saying that Japan would win just because of their Navy.Remember Germany could destroy British fleet, if they could have air supremacy.With me.262 jet fighters and advanced weapons, Germany could destroy the Japanese Navy and then invade them.

Answer 5

It took three superpowers to stop germany and only one to stop Japan. Germany was a larger force to be reckoned with than Japan, especially when most of the war effort of America was against Germany, not Japan.

Japan ended the war by surrender after the nuclear bombings. Germany was working on such technology to develope the bomb, Japan was not. Therefore, if Germany had the resources to fight long enough to develop such a weapon (which they did), they might have ended the war the same way the Americans did.

If it was just between Germany and Japan than Germany would've had Russia on it's side. (note that the two countries were under alliance before and after Germany attacked them).

Japanesse production did not compare to Germany's.

---- Japan would have lost to Germany.

Answer 6

No my answer does not simply place the "ra ra" the good ole USA, BUT, without the US's intervention, nobody would have stopped the germany army. More so becuase Europe was content with letting the Germans conquer, regroup and move on, while being too fearful to intervene. While I do agree, the Japanese woud not have been fearful, a German defeat would not had a snowball's chance in hell.

Answer 7

its no use giving you a lecture on this subject...its quite simple...Imperial japan simply wouldn't have the resources to keep up with Russia and not to mention the firepower. sooner or later USA and even china would get involved in this, USA would side with japan of course, and China most likely would side with Russia due to closeness and such, then other allies would join in... so this isn't a debate over two countries anymore.

BUT, lets say we aided japan with fiancials, then yes i think Imperial japan would of won a war against Nazi Germany.

Answer 8

The Germans were much better equipped, the Japanese could not have won against German firepower

Answer 9

Nazis could have won over the Samurais due to superpower firepower and use of modern methods of warfare.

Answer 10

NO !!! The Nazis would have anniliated them. They would have been served up as Sushi !!