January 31
1930 Delegates from Britain, the U.S., France, Italy and Japan met in London to negotiate an end to the naval arms race. Japan's delegation was headed by Wakatsuki Reijir and Takarabe Takeshi. The Japanese argued they should be permitted to build their navy to 70% of the level attained by Britain and the United States. The final treaty, signed April 21 permitted only 60%, the same level established in February 1922 in Washington. The results of the London Conference generated resentment among military officials toward civilian officials who negotiated the pact and pushed its ratification.
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© 2001 UCLA Center for East Asian Studies