U.S. vs Japan in WW2: Why Did Japan Lose?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion centers on the reasons behind Japan's defeat by the United States in World War II, exploring aspects of fighting spirit, strategy, production capabilities, and intelligence. It includes considerations of military tactics and the impact of specific events during the war.

Discussion Character

  • Debate/contested
  • Technical explanation
  • Conceptual clarification

Main Points Raised

  • Some participants argue that both the United States and Japan exhibited strong fighting spirit, but the Japanese were particularly fanatical in their devotion to the Emperor.
  • Others propose that the United States' superior production capabilities were a decisive factor in Japan's defeat.
  • It is noted that Japan faced limitations in natural resources, which affected their war efforts.
  • Some participants highlight the significance of the mistakes made at the Battle of Midway, which severely impacted the Japanese Navy's ability to recover.
  • The breaking of Japanese codes by the United States is mentioned as a crucial tactical advantage.
  • One participant suggests that the use of the Atom Bomb played a critical role in ending the war.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express differing views on the relative importance of fighting spirit versus production capabilities, as well as the impact of specific military events. The discussion remains unresolved regarding the primary reasons for Japan's defeat.

Contextual Notes

The discussion includes various assumptions about military strategy and effectiveness, and the limitations of resources are acknowledged but not fully explored.

EngTechno
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Which side is better in fighting spirit and strategy during Second World War, United States or Japan? Why did Japan lose to the United States? Because of intelligence?
 
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If by fighting sprit you meant 'fighting spIrit', then I'll answer...

I think that both were extremely motivated and fought with equal vigor. However the Japanese (especially the Japanese Marines) were fanatically devoted to the Emperor, so I think I'd put them ahead.

Why did Japan lose? Simple answer: The US out-produced Japan. The US could build thing faster than the Japanese could.

Cheers...
 
There was a couple of other mentionables:

- The Japenese were limited in natural resources.
- The mistakes at Midway set their Navy back and could not recover.
- The US's breaking of Japanese codes was a huge tactical advantage.
 
"Fighting spirit" is pretty vague. The Japanese were fanatically motivated, but the Americans were better trained. What won the war, though, was a mixture of factors, mostly listed above. What isn't listed above is manufacturing capacity.
 
The Atom Bomb should be mentioned here too. Its what ended the war.
 

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