Origin Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force

naval battle of dan-no-ura in 1185

japan has long history of naval interaction asian continent, involving transportation of troops, starting @ least beginning of kofun period in 3rd century. following attempts @ mongol invasions of japan kublai khan in 1274 , 1281, japanese wakō became active in plundering coast of chinese empire.

a 16th-century japanese atakebune coastal warship.

japan undertook major naval building efforts in 16th century, during warring states period, when feudal rulers vying supremacy built vast coastal navies of several hundred ships. around time, japan may have developed 1 of world s first ironclad warships, when oda nobunaga (a japanese daimyo) had 6 iron-covered oatakebune made in 1576.

in 1588, toyotomi hideyoshi issued ban on wakō piracy; pirates became vassals of hideyoshi , comprised naval force used in japanese invasion of korea.

japan built first large ocean-going warships in beginning of 17th century, following contact european countries during nanban trade period. in 1613, daimyo of sendai, in agreement tokugawa shogunate, built date maru. 500 ton galleon-type ship transported japanese embassy of hasekura tsunenaga americas , europe. 1604 onwards, 350 red seal ships, armed , incorporating european technology, commissioned shogunate, southeast asian trade.