Japan
The Japanese Empire is technically and scientifically the most advanced East Asian nation. It is a nuclear power and operates strong and modern armed forces. Traditionally, emphasis has been put on the Imperial Japanese Navy, but since the FEW, all three service branches are receiving the same amount of attention and funding. Learning lessons from the devastating Russian bombing raids on Japanese cities, a potent civil defence organisation has been added. All damage incurred in the FEW has been fixed, but – in order not to retard reconstruction – the government has allowed the old structures to be rebuilt without waiting for alternative designs. Thus, a singular opportunity to modernise Japanese infrastructure has been missed.
The Japanese overseas possessions comprise the former German protectorates: Mariana, Caroline and Marshal Islands, Palau, Nauru, Bougainville, Buka, Nissan. But the most important piece is Korea, which lies close enough near the home islands to form a geographical unity with them. Unfortunately, Korea is situated on the Asian mainland – and that makes Japan dependent on Chinese goodwill. As long as Japan holds fast to Korea, she will be susceptible to Nánjīng’s pressure. And currently, there not the shadow of an intention to let Korea go.
At the same time, the Japanese insist on treating the Koreans as colonial subjects, who are not on par – and never can be – with the Japanese master race. With assimilation out of question, there remains oppression. To their surprise, the Japanese increasingly find the Koreans cooperative. The latter had an impression of Russian and – first of all – Chinese conduct in the FEW – and have decided to prefer to be ruled by the Sons of Nippon. Actually, the Koreans profit greatly from this procedure. Most Japanese zaibatsus have built their newest and most modern facilities in Korea, and – almost incredibly – all Japanese nuclear installations have been placed in Korea. And even if the directors and leading figures come from the islands beyond the Tsushima Strait, most qualified and other workers are Koreans – and almost all suppliers and caterers too.
With Japanese endorsement, Korean entrepreneurs are supplying workers also to Canada – and are managing the despatch of Filipinos to the Japanese ventures in Mesoamerica. This happens in reaction to the utter insult served to Nippon by the US. – When The Troubles had paralysed the US, Japanese zaibatsus – always looking for natural resources at a reasonable price – had helped to stabilise the faltering US economy. But in response, the US has smiled sweetly into Madame Soong May-ling’s painted Chinese face – and has ousted the Japanese relievers! This could not be borne!
The Mesoamerican Operation, for good reasons, was left to the secret services – and the zaibatsus, who only strive to secure natural resources and agricultural products. But the Japanese being the Japanese, they would not match with socialists or communists – or simple natives, but would find their partners in the authoritarian quarter. – Ultimately, the ancient Spanish-rooted elite and the Catholic Church would join ranks with the Sons of Nippon, while on the opposing side, the US and Mexico would end up in support of unsavoury anarchists, socialists and communists.
Official Nippon isn’t even interested in Mesoamerica. And actually, the empire has been declared saturated; one does not strive to acquire new colonies. Developing Borneo has been left to the Vietnamese allies, who are also active on the Philippines. Of course, Hokushinkai is extracting Bornean oil and Philippine resources, but they are doing so with Vietnamese and Siamese staff. – Also the mess that the Dutch have left has been given to the Vietnamese and Siamese friends to exploit. That they are on Hokushinkai’s – or any other zaibatsu’s – payroll is something the natives do not need to know.
The friends in Hué and Krung Thep, also known as Bangkok, agree that is important to form a counterweight against Chinese domination of the East Asian League. They profit greatly from cooperation with Nippon – and are, of course, stealing knowhow and knowledge, but that can’t be helped. – In that sense, the empire also plays ball with the Indian Federation and the Realm of the Aryans. Hokushinkai, who flow the Persian oil, are also investing in Persia and developing the country, a procedure closely coordinated with Lahore.
Only with Russia, who would form the most effective counterweight against Chinese predominance, Nippon cannot cooperate. Too many Japanese armies have been gutted by the savage Russians, too many towns have burnt to the ground, too many ships have been sunk – to reconcile with Russia, even if the Russians were interested in it, which they aren’t. In the past, one has fomented China against Russia by feeding them false information. That has backfired, because the Russian onslaught also hit the home islands and Korea. In future, one better exercises restraint in this matter. Although Nippon is a nuclear power, Russia wouldn’t need too many nukes to make the home islands uninhabitable.
Yes, there are many reasons to steer a course of peace. Japanese standard of living is high – and the industry is getting all the resources required to further economic growth. There really is no need to jeopardise all these achievements.