AboutTom Expertise While it is a huge topic, I am well-versed in World War II generally. There is a huge wealth of information available on the internet, HOWEVER, one has to know the trash from the gems. Many sites which are not obviously credible (govt, university, and museum sites, for ex.), provide erroneous information (intentionally or otherwise).
Experience BA in history, and been reading and studying WW2 as my 'hobby' for 30 years. Regular contributor to several online forums in military history, WW2, and related areas and topics.
Organizations None relevant to this topic.
Education/Credentials BA, History (Secondary Education), with minor in Geography
US Army Engineer Officer (Officer Basic and Advanced Courses)
Expert: Tom Date: 3/3/2007 Subject: Japan and Germany
Question Both Japan and Nazi germany were very powerful during World War 2 but which was more powerful and if there was a war between them, who would win?
Answer This actually comes up fairly regularly on history forums, such as the history channel WW2 forum. It is usually tied to the "What if the Axis won" thinking, where some presume the axis powers would eventually end up fighting it out among themselves.
Short answers:
1) The European axis (Germany and Italy) were too far from Japan to make outright warfare either likely, or easily done.
2) Overall, Germany was considerably stronger in most measures of power. It had a more modern economy, better access to raw materials, more modern scientific arena (world class in many areas), and overall its military was stronger. In a land war, the Germans, esp. if you speak to Germany in say 1942, will have a great advantage due to its tank technology, and its mobile warfare doctrine (aka, Blitzkrieg).
3) Japan's advantages, aside from being so far from the Germans, lie in it being a little larger in population (if one includes the whole empire, which means non-Japanese subjects like Koreans), and its best military arm, the Navy. The Imperial Japanese Navy (which rose to fame with its surprise attack on Pearl Harbor) was generally superior to the German navy. Japan needed a strong navy, while for Germany it was almost a luxury. Japan's military strength came from its large, modern navy. Germany's came from its large, modern army.
4) In the air, it is important to note that both sides were pretty modern at the start of WW2, and had decent aircraft. However, both focused on relatively short-range aircraft (single engine fighters and bombers for example). Neither invested in strategic bombing (heavy bombers). However, Germany's aircraft improved notably during the war, while Japan's did not keep up the pace. Germany, by 1944, has jet and rocket aircraft, as well as the rather inaccurate but fearsome V-1 and V-2 weapons.
5) Neither invested in power projection over very great distances, which would make it almost impossible for them to actually reach each other and fight. Thus I cannot see either of them winning a war between them.
