Question

In the early 20th century, Japan stunned the Western world by defeating what Western nation?

Answer 1

Russia.
This was the first time air craft carrying torpedos's and bombs were used to attack and sink naval vessels.
Oddly enough, the USA Navy High Command refused to admit that air power was a threat to traditional Navy vessels until Pearl Harbor. The Navy kept making excuses why the Japanese were able to sink the Russian Navy and were in denial until the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor and they couldn't deny it any longer.