The Battle of Midway: Primary Causes of Japanese Failure

The Battle of Midway: Primary Causes of Japanese Failure

June 4, 2018 , 5:30 pm - 8:30 pm (Asia/Tokyo)

From June 4-7, 1942, the Imperial Japanese Navy and U.S. Navy fought the Battle of Midway, a critical inflection point in the Pacific War after which the United States seized the initiative in the Pacific War. In most histories written in the English, the U.S. victory can be attributed to superior intelligence, tactics, and, perhaps, luck. On this 76th anniversary of this battle, VADM Yoji Koda told this history from a Japanese perceptive based on his original research involving Imperial Japanese Navy records and the lessons that the Japan Maritime Self Defense Force (JMSDF) has incorporated into their training and doctrine.

This event was part of the Yokosuka Council on Asia-Pacific Studies-JUMP seminar series and was also co-sponsored by Temple University Japan’s Institute of Contemporary Asian Studies.

Details:

• Program: A 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m. reception featuring a light meal, drinks, and excellent conversation. The YCAPS-JUMP Seminar began at 6:30 p.m.
• When: June 4, 2018, 5:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m
• Location: Honcho Community Center in Yokosuka. 〒238-0041 2-1, Honcho, Yokosuka-shi (Sogo Fukushi Kaikan Hall).
• Venue Access: Click here for the venue’s access map or Google map.

About the Speaker:

• VADM Yoji Koda is a graduate of Yokosuka’s Japan Defense Academy, the JMSDF Staff College, and the U.S. Naval War College. As a surface officer, he took commanded of JS Sawayuki (DD-125), Destroyer Flotilla Three and Fleet Escort Force at sea. His shore duty includes Director General (DG) for Plans and Operations, Maritime Staff and DG Joint Staff as well as Commandant JMSDF Sasebo District. Vice Admiral Koda retired from the JMSDF as Commander in Chief, Self-Defense Fleet, a force headquartered in Yokosuka in 2008. He was then invited to Asia-Center, Harvard University, as a research fellow on Chinese Naval Strategy from June 2009 to July 2011. He served as an advisor to Japan National Security Secretariat of the Government of Japan until March 2016. VADM Koda frequently writes on maritime affairs and military history. His recent articles include: “The Russo-Japanese War: Primary Causes of Japanese Success,” U.S. Naval War College Review, “Japanese Perspective on China’s Rise as a Naval Power,” Harvard Asia Quarterly, “A New Carrier Race: Strategy, Force Planning and JS Hyuga,” U.S. Naval War College Review, “The U.S.- Japan Alliance: Responding to China’s A2/ AD Threat,” Center for New American Security, and “Maritime Security in the Region: SCS and ECS as Key Arenas for Converging Political Interests,” Asia Pacific Review, Institute for International Policy Studies. He also contributed to Refighting the Pacific War: Alternative History of World War II (U.S. Naval Institute Press) and co-authored, Maritime Strategy and National Security in Japan and Britain (Leiden and Boston, Global Oriental).