Within Matsuoka’s draft, spheres of influence had been forged. Japan was to occupy East Asia and the South Seas. Germany and Italy were to share in the occupation of Europe and Africa. Mutual support and cooperation was to be pursued with regards to both the China and the European wars. The Axis nations were to maintain peace with Russia and the United States. However if either party were to consider entering the war against them, that member would have to confer with the remaining Axis nations.
Concerning the war effort, Germany, Japan and Italy would be obliged to provide one another with required supplies. In particular, Japan would supply Germany and Italy with ‘agricultural, forest and marine products’ as well as ‘special mineral deposits, rubber & other articles’.
Germany and Italy conversely, would supply Japan with ‘technical assistance, aircraft, machinery, chemical products etc’
Japan would also have rights over the South Seas colonies, giving Germany and Italy preferential treatment in developing financial bases in China and Manchuokuo.
A clear forging of the Axis alliance may be observed throughout Matsuoka’s draft. Most of the concerns and provisions within the draft were adhered to during the war.
There was however, a reference in the last portion of the draft that reveals the true intentions on Japan and indeed, of the Axis alliance on the whole. In regards to Japan’s policy towards the United Kingdom, she agreed to aid Germany and Italy in their common struggle. Japan stipulated however, that she alone would decide when, where and to what degree her aid would be expended. From as early as 1940, a hindering deterrent of joint military cooperation may be observed.
By August 1, 1940 Matsuoka had begun negotiations with the German officials in Tokyo. the German Government sent Stahmer, a special emissary to Tokyo in order to aid the German negotiations. On September 27, 1940 the ‘TRIPARTITE PACT’ was signed. The Axis nations officially recognized and respected the ‘new orders’ of one another.
In Article 3 of the Pact, Germany, Italy and Japan guaranteed to ‘undertake to assist one another with all political, economic and military means’ if either of the members were attacked by a power not presently at war with that member.
Although not including specific provisions for military cooperation, the Pact was a success. Politically, it had provided good intentions for future military assistance. Provisions included stipulated specific economic aid. the creation of a ‘Joint Technical Commission’ had as well been instated. The commission will be further discussed. The nature of the agreement was clearly anti-British. the Pact was also intended as a means of intimidating the United States to remain neutral during the war.
Axis planners had perhaps misjudged the overall impact of the agreement on the international scale. It is important to recognize however, the extent of prestige that the Axis received from its formulation.
Early as 1940, Germany was continually exerting pressure on Japan to enter to war against Great Britain. Japan was viewed by both Hitler and Ribbentrop as a potential ally against the British naval forces. The German military hoped that Japan might enter into the war, thereby forcing the British to disperse their fleet on two fronts. The Battle for the Atlantic was underway and the Battle for Britain (Operation SEA LION) was about to begin.
Hitler considered the peripheral strategy against England as crucial for the defeat of the imperial power. The strategy included a series of attacks against vulnerable outposts throughout the United Kingdom. General Jodl, Chief of Staff of the OKW (Supreme Command of the Armed Forces) advocated Hitler’s policy in June of 1940. ‘The fight against the English empire can only be conducted through or with the help of countries who are interested in the collapse of the English empire. These are primarily Italy and Japan.’
Ribbentrop urged General Oshima, the Japanese Ambassador to Berlin in early 1941, to engage the enemy while she still had the offensive initiative. The target contemplated was Singapore.
The Japanese military was reluctant at first. Japanese interaction in Singapore or any British installation in the South Seas, was certain to bring the United States naval fleet into the picture. Japan was unwilling to oblige the German demands at that time. However, in early 1942, Japan successfully conquered the island fortress of Singapore. Japan delayed her initiative until she felt self confident. Singapore would play a vital role in future German-Japanese operations.
The Soviet Union posed a major stumbling block for the joint German-Japanese alliance. Before 1939, German and Japanese policy was well coordinated regarding the communist threat. Although both nations resented the state, both agreed not to become engaged in an all-out struggle against Russia unless absolutely necessary. However, in August of 1939 the Germans concluded a nonaggression pact with the Soviet Union, for which the Japanese were infuriated with Germany.
Germany had conducted the arrangements behind Japan’s back. Japan declared neutrality while it realigned its foreign policy with the Soviet Union.
German warships were nonetheless denied access into Japanese ports, and exports were curtailed for the time being. In April of 1941, Japan concluded a neutrality pact with Russia in a similar fashion to that of Germany. For she had breached the diplomatic provision within the Pact of 1940. Japan was obliged to enlighten Germany of her intent before conducting agreements with Soviet Russia.
Germany was of course, resentful of Japan’s actions. This period proved difficult for the Axis. Both nations continued to cooperate with one another, but the enthusiasm was lacking.
On June 22, 1941 German-Japanese diplomatic and military cooperation was greatly deterred by Germany’s invasion of the Soviet Union. Hitler had advised General Oshima on June 6 that a possible Russo-German conflict might take place. Regardless of this warning, Japan was shocked with news of the war.
Hitler asked for Japan’s aid against Russia in July of 1941 through the German Ambassador in Tokyo. Japan did not wish to become involved in the war.
Hitler later told Grand Admiral Raeder (C in C of the German Navy) on 22 August: ‘I am convinced that Japan will carry out the attack on Vladivostok as soon as forces have been assembled.’
The German military felt however, that the Axis would not benefit from a joint military venture in Russia, since Japan would have to spread her forces too thin. It was felt that Japan should wage a war effort against England in the South Seas. Hitler later came to agree with his generals.
Oddly enough, the Japanese military mentioned in October that if the German army could manage to breach the Volga River, Japanese forces would be deployed to strike the Soviet Union.
German forces briefly held a position on the Volga, but lost the initiative in late 1942 with the loss of Stalingrad. It would have been interesting to see whether Japan would have allowed her military forces to aid Germany against Russia, had Germany succeeded in holding the Volga River.
Throughout the Russo-German conflict, two predominant themes continually reappeared. Ribbentrop continued to pressure Oshima and the Japanese Government to join in the war, against Hitler’s own wishes. On the other hand, Japan continued to urge the German Government to settle the conflict through political means, with Japan as the mediator. both prospects failed miserably.
The Axis military planners were concerned with other matters. Since the outbreak of war with Russia, Germany and Japan were beset with transportation problems. Beforehand, the vital military raw materials and technical aid had been shipped via the Trans-Siberian Railway. The route provided an abundant amount of trade between the two nations before the German invasion. The transportation of war materials fell upon the shoulders of the German naval branch.
A detailed sketch of German-Japanese naval operations concerning this matter will be discussed later.
Secondly, German naval authorities became greatly concerned over the abundance of Allied aid that was getting through to Russia. The German Navy took considerable measures in the Atlantic to counter the Allied convoys to Russia. Japan however, did not share the German zeal in curtailing Allied aid to Russia via Vladivostok. German naval planners tried to compensate for this by sending what little she had to such distant waters. Operations in this field will also be discussed later. As may be observed, the Soviet Union posed a tremendous strain on the German-Japanese collaboration.
The United States was the last major world power to effect diplomatic relations between Germany and Japan. It would nevertheless, play a role as influential as that of Russia.
More Imperial Japan and the Third Reich
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© Copyright 1995 by Harry Cooper, Sharkhunters International, Inc.
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