IJN aircraft maintenance, repairs and logistics?

Admiral Beez said:

Postwar Japan became a world leader in logistics, but how did the Imperial Japanese Navy handle aircraft maintenance, repairs, and spare parts during the war? Was there a central office for procurement and logistics? How did the carriers communicate and get what they needed? Was there an air boss or maintenance chief for all aircraft onboard? With few or no dedicated support ships how were aircraft supported at sea? Did the IJN practice cannibalization like the IJAAF, and was that not wasteful of hangar space? I have seen very little about the daily maintenance and spares operations of the IJN carriers.

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• Each regional fleet (e.g., Yokosuka, Kure, Sasebo) has its own logistics and maintenance units, allowing rapid local support.
• A central logistics command within the Maritime Staff Office oversees procurement, distribution, and standardization.

• JMSDF emphasizes predictive and preventive maintenance using detailed records and diagnostics, minimizing breakdowns at sea.
• Ships often rotate through fixed schedules at maintenance depots to ensure high availability.

• Reflecting Japan's industrial philosophy, the JMSDF minimizes excess inventory and relies on tight supplier networks.
• Commonality of equipment (e.g., shared ship classes or systems) helps streamline parts supply and training.

• Use of logistics software, real-time inventory tracking, and automated systems for supply chain management.
• Increasing use of unmanned systems for resupply and surveillance.

• JMSDF logistics systems are increasingly designed for interoperability with U.S. forces, especially under joint missions or contingencies in the Indo-Pacific.
• Participation in multilateral logistics exercises and real-world refueling, supply, and repair operations with allies.

Admiral Beez said:

Thanks Mike, that was excellently informative. I wonder if those who experienced the IJN's logistical disasters mentioned above were driven to develop Japan's postwar Just in time production and logistics processes with its emphasize on efficiency, quality, and continuous improvement through systems like Just-in-Time, Kaizen, and Jidoka. I like the idea of Genchi Genbutsu ("Go and See"), where managers get out of their offices and see the issues directly. In the RN's FAA this would have been handled by the Directorate of Air Material (Royal Navy) within the Admiralty. Imagine having to know where spark plugs are needed, where they are, and which ones.

Just for fun I asked ChatGPT about today's Japanese navy.

Logistics in today's Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) is built around precision, decentralization, and high readiness—reflecting Japan's broader industrial efficiency. Key features include:

1. Decentralized but Coordinated Support

• Each regional fleet (e.g., Yokosuka, Kure, Sasebo) has its own logistics and maintenance units, allowing rapid local support.
• A central logistics command within the Maritime Staff Office oversees procurement, distribution, and standardization.

2. Emphasis on Preventive Maintenance

• JMSDF emphasizes predictive and preventive maintenance using detailed records and diagnostics, minimizing breakdowns at sea.
• Ships often rotate through fixed schedules at maintenance depots to ensure high availability.

3. Lean Supply Chains

• Reflecting Japan's industrial philosophy, the JMSDF minimizes excess inventory and relies on tight supplier networks.
• Commonality of equipment (e.g., shared ship classes or systems) helps streamline parts supply and training.

4. Technological Integration

• Use of logistics software, real-time inventory tracking, and automated systems for supply chain management.
• Increasing use of unmanned systems for resupply and surveillance.

5. Joint and Allied Interoperability

• JMSDF logistics systems are increasingly designed for interoperability with U.S. forces, especially under joint missions or contingencies in the Indo-Pacific.
• Participation in multilateral logistics exercises and real-world refueling, supply, and repair operations with allies.

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