Imperial Japanese Army General Staff OfficeThe Imperial Japanese Army General Staff Office (参謀本部, Sanbō Honbu), also called the Army General Staff, was one of the two principal agencies charged with overseeing the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA).
Imperial Japanese Navy General StaffThe Imperial Japanese Navy General Staff (軍令部, Gunreibu) was the highest organ within the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). In charge of planning and operations, it was headed by an Admiral headquartered in Tokyo. HistoryCreated in 1893, the Navy General Staff took over operational (as opposed to administrative) authority over the Imperial Japanese Navy from the Navy Ministry. It was responsible for the planning and execution of national defense strategy.
Imperial General HeadquartersThe Imperial General Headquarters (大本営, Daihon'ei) was part of the Supreme War Council and was established in 1893 to coordinate efforts between the Imperial Japanese Army and Imperial Japanese Navy during wartime. In terms of function, it was approximately equivalent to the United States Joint Chiefs of Staff and the British Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Ministry of War (pre-modern Japan)The Ministry of War or Military Ministry (兵部省, Hyōbu-shō), sometimes called Tsuwamono no Tsukasa（都波毛乃乃都加佐）in Wago, was a division of the eighth century Japanese government of the Imperial Court in Kyoto, instituted in the Asuka period and formalized during the Heian period. The Ministry was replaced in the Meiji period.
Ministry of the Navy (Japan)The Ministry of the Navy (海軍省, Kaigun-shō) was a cabinet-level ministry in the Empire of Japan charged with the administrative affairs of the Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN). It existed from 1872 to 1945. In the IJN and the Imperial Japanese Army (IJA), the ministries were in charge of Gunsei (軍政, military administration), and Navy General Staff and Army General Staff Office were in charge of Gunrei (軍令, military command). The two were distinguished.
Imperial Japanese ArmyThe Imperial Japanese Army (IJA) was the principal ground force of the Empire of Japan from 1871 to 1945. It played a central role in Japan's rapid modernization during the Meiji period, fought in numerous conflicts including the First Sino-Japanese War, the Russo-Japanese War, World War I, the Second Sino-Japanese War, and World War II, and became a dominant force in Japanese politics.
Cabinet of JapanThe Cabinet of Japan (内閣, Naikaku; [naꜜi.ka.kɯ]) is the chief executive body of the government of Japan. It consists of the prime minister, who is appointed by the Emperor after being nominated by the National Diet, in addition to up to seventeen other members, called ministers of state. The current cabinet, the Second Takaichi cabinet, was formed on 18 February 2026 and is led by Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi.Government of Meiji JapanThe Government of Meiji Japan (明治政府, Meiji seifu) was the government that was formed by politicians of the Satsuma Domain and Chōshū Domain in the 1860s. The Meiji government was the early government of the Empire of Japan. Politicians of the Meiji government were known as the Meiji oligarchy, who overthrew the Tokugawa shogunate.
National DietThe National Diet (国会, Kokkai; Japanese pronunciation:) is the national legislature of Japan. It is composed of a lower house, called the House of Representatives (衆議院, Shūgiin), and an upper house, the Senate (参議院, Sangiin). Both houses are directly elected under a parallel voting system. In addition to passing laws, the Diet is formally responsible for nominating the prime minister.
Imperial Japanese NavyNavy of Japan between 1868 and 1945Military unitThe Imperial Japanese Navy (IJN) was the navy of the Empire of Japan from 1868 to 1945, when it was dissolved following Japan's surrender in World War II. The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) was formed between 1952 and 1954 after the dissolution of the IJN. The IJN was the third largest navy in the world by 1920, behind the Royal Navy and the United States Navy (USN).
Cabinet (government)A cabinet in governing is a group of people with the constitutional or legal task to rule a country or state, or advise a head of state, usually from the executive branch. Their members are known as ministers and secretaries and they are often appointed by either heads of state or government.
Empire of JapanJapanese nation state from 1868 to 194756.0 million lived in the naichi.73.1 million lived in the naichi.Japanese nameShinjitai大日本帝国Kyūjitai大日本帝國HiraganaだいにっぽんていこくだいにほんていこくKatakanaダイニッポンテイコクダイニホンテイコクLiteral meaningEmpire of Great Japan*As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.