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Not a specific pod but could you have the Japanese Empire survive and westernize to the same levels as otl by no later then the 50s and 60s but you can do earlier if you think you can give a reasonable pod for it. Everything by the 50s should at least be on comparable level to otl japan development.

To be clear it does not have to be as democratic at otl at least on paper but it should be comparable to otl japan socially and economically freedom wise more so then politically. The emperor can still have power but he might not use it often and will often leave decisions up to elective and appointed people in domestic affairs and let military handle a lot of foreign affairs if they aren’t as radical as otl. Or it is a “benevolent” or “enlightened” emperor. Whatever you think fits best.

But the economy of Japan by the 80s on homeland island and preferably Taiwan and Korea too should be where they were at in 80s. This should continue into 90s and next century like otl. Just to be clear if you go for a large or co prosperity sphere empire you don’t keep to have the whole thing be as liberal or as advanced as Japan. They can be their sweatshops or puppets or whatever.

Japan on home islands is the big part. Have Japan as a surviving Empire develop anime, cars, and high end technology like otl by the point they did in otl. The more details bits can be different but that is the main point of this AHC.

Bonus points for this being spread across Asia under a really successful Japanese Co prosperity sphere in a way. Japanese militarism mixed with American capitalism. The Co prosperity sphere might have cities long Singapore and Hong Kong spread all throughout it but closer to core have a thriving home islands and a somewhat assimilated but well off Korea. Taiwan basically becomes an extension of home island. Japan controls multiple Chinese ports and strips of land directly and have much of the rest as puppets under their control. How each is ran is up to you but if each can at least have large modern capitalist urban cities even if the country isn’t democratic or filled with stuff like sweatshops and child labor that is a bonus for this challenge.

The major influence in Japanese becoming what they are is American influence. I don’t see why more friendly or social relations with the US would not lead to Japanese unintentionally being influenced by American style capitalism like otl and develop some similar trends. American influence doesn’t have to be introduce like otl. It could happen naturally due to trade. Trade is huge for Japan and maybe a reform minded emperor realizes the benefits of American trade and friendly relations. They can get more food and other needed goods from US while US gets access more to markets in Far East without actually having to involve themselves as much. Japan might actually get away with more in China and expansion wise if they are giving Americans generous trade offers after taking stuff.

This leads to Japanese adopting American capitalism like otl but more like a second Meji then what we saw after ww2. How could a situation like this happen?
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