Imperial Japanese Navy [SEP] dissolved or abolished
Imperial Japanese Navy
The Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN; Kyūjitai: Shinjitai: "" "Navy of the Greater Japanese Empire", or "Nippon Kaigun", "Japanese Navy") was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1868 until 1945, when it was dissolved following Japan's surrender in World War II. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) was formed after the dissolution of the IJN.
The Imperial Japanese Navy was the third largest navy in the world by 1920, behind the
, 50th and 60th).
Historical marine forces Japan.
During the feudal period, the Japanese used Ashigaru soldiers or regular Yumi archers as soldiers to protect ships from pirates.
In 1873 a short-lived marine corps was added to the newly created Imperial Japanese Navy, using Britain's Royal Marines as a model. Considered unsuitable in its original form this force was disbanded in 1878.
Both the Imperial Japanese Navy and Imperial Japanese Army subsequently established marine-type units. Both were dissolved at the end of World