The Japanese naval shipbuilding programme according to the Dutch newspaper Het Vaderland daily edition 1 February 1931

A new shipbuilding programme included the building of 4 cruisers of 8,600 ton armed with 15cm guns, 12 destroyers of 1,400 ton and 9 submarines of 1,300 tons. As a result of the Naval Treaty of London (1) were also small units to be stricken. As a result of this programme would Japan posses in 1936 quite less units as in the past but the new ships were each of much more fighting value. Most obvious was what happened with the submarines. In 1925 were around 50 submarines in service with just a few larger as 1,000 tons. Now were 23 submarines of 1,150-2,000 tons in service and another 44 of 660-1,000 tons. As a result of the new programme, the completion of the units now being build and the limitations of London would Japan finally posses maximum 40 submarines of which 35 large units able to operate over large distances. Probably were the strategically plans of the Japanese naval staff quite changed. The navy numbered excluded some aged ships at that moment 8 large and 20 smaller cruisers of which 3 were aged. Building was going on from 4 so-called Washington cruisers of which 3 were launched in 1930. When these cruisers were completed possessed Japan the maximum number of 12 cruisers with 20,3 cm guns as allowed by the London Treaty and not allowed to built anymore. However more as 35,000 tons was to be build of cruisers armed with 15,2cm guns and for which 4 large cruisers of 8.600 tons were to be build while some older ships were to be stricken. In 1936 would the Japanese navy there fore number 8 cruisers of 10,000 tons and 4 of 7.100 tons armed with 20,3cm guns, 4 cruisers of 8,600 tons armed with 15,2cm guns, 12 cruisers of 5,200 tons and one of 2,900 tons armed with 4cm guns.

Note

1. Agreement between England, United States, Japan, France and Italy signed on 22 April 1930to limit the building of warships and the use of submarines.