AHC: The Republic of Japan

The challenge is to try and get the Japanese Monarchy formally abolished. It doesn't matter how democratic the Japanese Republic is; it can be an ultra militarist fascist state, a liberal democracy, a one-party dictatorship, an oligarchy of aristocrats, a federation of anarchist communes, a Soviet Republic, etc. anything goes so long as the Monarchy has been officially consigned to the ash heap of history (although the former monarch and royal family may continue to have some degree of de facto power). There is a catch, however. The abolition of the monarchy can't be as a direct result of a post WW2 US/Allied/Soviet occupation of Japan, although the groundwork for the abolition may be laid during an occupation.

It might seem an impossible task, but remember that 100+ years is a long time, and if you had told the average Russian peasant at the outbreak of WW1 that in less than half a decade Russia would be a republic, they probably wouldn't believe you.
 
The challenge is to try and get the Japanese Monarchy formally abolished. It doesn't matter how democratic the Japanese Republic is; it can be an ultra militarist fascist state, a liberal democracy, a one-party dictatorship, an oligarchy of aristocrats, a federation of anarchist communes, a Soviet Republic, etc. anything goes so long as the Monarchy has been officially consigned to the ash heap of history (although the former monarch and royal family may continue to have some degree of de facto power). There is a catch, however. The abolition of the monarchy can't be as a direct result of a post WW2 US/Allied/Soviet occupation of Japan, although the groundwork for the abolition may be laid during an occupation.

It might seem an impossible task, but remember that 100+ years is a long time, and if you had told the average Russian peasant at the outbreak of WW1 that in less than half a decade Russia would be a republic, they probably wouldn't believe you.

I remember making a partial TL where a civil war between factions in government and military leads to a group of officers seizing one of the colonies and declaring a republic. While this republic doesn't control any of Japan Proper, it claims sovereignty over all Japan as the Republic of Japan.

It goes from military/colonial rule in the 30's to autocratic government in the 50's and then eventual liberalization reforms after the 60/70's.

basically a Taiwan analogue but for Japan, since Taiwan claims all of China for the Republic even though China Proper is a Socialist Republic. Here Japan Proper would remain a constitutional monarchy.
 
Might have turned out that way in the final days of WWII, when military officers planned a coup to oust Hirohito after he announced Japan's surrender. Though, it's more likely they'll just keep the monarchy with him under house arrest, on the reasoning that he was 'influenced by defeatist elements'.
 
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