Imperial Japanese Army facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Imperial Japanese Army大日本帝國陸軍 Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun |
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The ensign of the Imperial Japanese Army
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| Active | 1868–1945 |
| Country |  Empire of Japan |
| Allegiance |  Emperor of Japan |
| Type | Army |
| Role | Military ground force |
| Size | 6,095,000 men at peak |
| Nickname(s) | "IJA" |
| Engagements |
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| Commanders | |
| Ceremonial chief | Emperor of Japan Emperor Meiji Emperor Taishō Emperor Shōwa |
| Notable commanders |
Yamagata Aritomo Ōyama Iwao Prince Kan'in Kotohito Hajime Sugiyama Hideki Tojo Yasuji Okamura Shunroku Hata Tadamichi Kuribayashi Tomoyuki Yamashita Masaharu Homma |
The Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) was Japan's main ground fighting force. It existed from 1868 to 1945. Its full name in Japanese was Dai-Nippon Teikoku Rikugun, meaning "Army of the Greater Japanese Empire."
The IJA was controlled by the Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office and the Ministry of War. Both of these groups reported to the Emperor of Japan. The Emperor was the supreme commander of both the army and the navy. The IJA played a big role in Japan's history, especially during World War II.
How the Army Started (1868-1871)
In the mid-1800s, Japan did not have one single national army. The country was divided into many small areas called han, which were like feudal states. The Tokugawa shogunate had ruled Japan since 1603. Their army was large, but they needed help from other local armies to control the country.
Japan had been mostly closed off from the world for two centuries. When it opened up, it led to big changes. This included the Meiji Restoration and the Boshin War in 1868. After these events, Japan decided to create a modern, unified army.
The Imperial Japanese Army was officially ended at the end of World War II. Today, Japan's constitution has a rule, Article 9. This rule says that Japan cannot use military force to solve problems with other countries.
Joining the Army
In 1873, a new law was passed about joining the military. This law made it mandatory for all men in Japan to serve in the army.
The law said that men had to serve for a total of seven years. This included three years in the regular army, two years in the first reserve, and two more years in the second reserve. All healthy men between 17 and 40 years old were also part of a national guard. This group would only be called to serve if Japan was attacked or invaded.
Images for kids
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A Japanese woodblock print showing the retreat of shogunate forces from the Imperial Army. Yodo Castle is in the background.
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The Koishikawa Arsenal in Tokyo, which opened in 1871.
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Prince Yamagata Aritomo, a field marshal in the Imperial Japanese Army. He was also Prime Minister of Japan twice. He helped build Japan's modern military.
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Barracks of the Imperial Guard, around 1940.
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Marquis Nozu Michitsura, an early field marshal in the Imperial Japanese Army. He became chief of staff of the Imperial Guard (Japan) in 1874.
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Marquis Jutoku Saigo, a general in the early Imperial Japanese Army. He was the nephew of Saigō Takamori, who led the Satsuma Rebellion in 1877.
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Commander-in-chief Saigō Tsugumichi (sitting in the middle) with leaders of the Seqalu tribe.
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Count Nogi Maresuke, a general in the Imperial Japanese Army and the third governor of Taiwan.
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The Type 13 (top) and Type 22 (bottom) Murata rifle. This was the first Japanese-made service rifle, adopted in 1880.
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Japanese troops during the Sino-Japanese War.
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Count Akiyama Yoshifuru, who led cavalry in the First Sino-Japanese War (1894–1895). In the Russo-Japanese War (1904–1905), he fought against Russian cavalry.
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Prince Katsura Tarō, who was Prime Minister of Japan three times. He was the Vice-Minister of War and commanded the IJA 3rd Division during the First Sino-Japanese War.
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The Type 30 rifle, which was the standard infantry rifle for the Imperial Japanese Army from 1897 to 1905.
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Ōshima Ken'ichi, who served as Minister of War.
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Japanese riflemen during the Russo-Japanese War.
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The Type 38 rifle, adopted by the Imperial Japanese Army in 1905.
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Officers of the Allied Military Mission in Siberia, Vladivostok, during the Siberian Intervention.
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The IJA amphibious assault ship Shinshū Maru, the world's first ship designed to carry landing crafts.
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Army uniforms between 1941 and 1945 (from a US Army poster).
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Type 38 rifle.
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The Type 97 Chi-Ha, the most common Japanese medium tank of World War II.
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Map showing where the Imperial Japanese Army was located in Japan when it surrendered on August 18, 1945.
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Imperial Japanese Army officers in the 1930s.
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Imperial Japanese Army Korean Volunteer army, 1943.
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An Imperial Japanese Army Taiwanese soldier in the Philippines during World War II.
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See also
In Spanish: Ejército Imperial Japonés para niños
