Could Japan ever get colonies in Africa?

Best hope for the latter is in Sept 1940, at the same time Japan takes over FIC, IJN force lands at Madagascar.

The Pacific campaign was such a shoestring deal for them that I seriously doubt they could spare any troops for that. Or transports, which are probably even more important.
 
Japanwank is the new Britwank.

Out of curiosity who has the knowledge to credibly wank Japan that much or that late? Hell even if we went the whole the no isolation route for japan skimping on details, why Japan go a long way for colonies in Africa?
 
Out of curiosity who has the knowledge to credibly wank Japan that much or that late? Hell even if we went the whole the no isolation route for japan skimping on details, why Japan go a long way for colonies in Africa?

Beats me. Seems like several bridges too far from where I'm standing.
 
The Pacific campaign was such a shoestring deal for them that I seriously doubt they could spare any troops for that. Or transports, which are probably even more important.
The Brits certainly thought it was likely enough to launch Operation Ironclad.
 
If things go sideways between France and Germany at some point I think perhaps Japan could wind up with Madagascar if France is really hard up for cash. Or you might get some weird horse trading at the end of a pan-European War where Japan gets it in lieu of something else.

Not overly likely but it isn't impossible. But I think it would be more of a European POD than a Japanese one.
 

trurle

Banned
If things go sideways between France and Germany at some point I think perhaps Japan could wind up with Madagascar if France is really hard up for cash. Or you might get some weird horse trading at the end of a pan-European War where Japan gets it in lieu of something else.

Not overly likely but it isn't impossible. But I think it would be more of a European POD than a Japanese one.

I agree what Japan during the Scramble for Africa was hopelessly outmatched, so it is difficult to make a Japanese POD. But how about African POD?
In WWI, the German East Africa have put a terrible fight to Britain and Belgium. But imagine the Battle of Lake Tanganyika went wrong for British, cascading into more defeats due disease and ambushes. As result, British recruitment/drafting campaign among natives is less effective, and Lettow-Vorbeck receive more recruits. In 1916, all troops from South Africa and Belgian Congo may be still stuck in Africa, instead of joining the European war. German East Africa may turn in such a thorn in British side, what they will ask for assistance from somebody qualified in jungle warfare..and Japan may send a small detachment (no larger than division), which with some luck may defeat Lettow-Vorbeck force. As British goal was a secure rear and not a colony itself, there is a non-zero chance of Japanese receiving a limited mandate in German East Africa after WWI. May be of Lebanon size?:rolleyes:
 
Apologies for taking this OT, I'd forgotten this was the Before 1900 forum. So, forget about Japanese moves on Madagascar in WW2.

In much of the period before 1900, Japan has a small navy. We have to remember it wasn't until the 1860s after Admiral Perry's visit that Japan began looking outward.
 
Apologies for taking this OT, I'd forgotten this was the Before 1900 forum. So, forget about Japanese moves on Madagascar in WW2.

In much of the period before 1900, Japan has a small navy. We have to remember it wasn't until the 1860s after Admiral Perry's visit that Japan began looking outward.

Commodore. Not Admiral. But I'm sure he appreciates the post-humous promotion.
 
How about Japan uses diplomacy instead of aggression to gain colonies in Africa. For example, offer something to Portugal, with whom the Japanese have historical connections, with the Portuguese founding the city of Nagasaki, for instance. Perhaps Japan offers stronger trading ties between Portugal-Goa-Macao-Nagasaki in exchange for ceding Ouidah to Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouidah
 
Why would Japan want African colonies when they offered no strategic benefit to it and the men and resources needed for a colony could be better spent in securing and integrating Korea and the southern half of Sakhalin.

After world War 1 as concessions from Germany I could see the European powers giving Japan a few islands and a mainland enclave but nothing before 1900.
 
With a PoD no earlier than the Perry Expedition, could Japan ever realistically acquire some land in the Scramble for Africa? Something to the extent of Britain, France, or even Germany or Italy would be highly unlikely, but could the Japanese pull something off like what the Cossacks attempted to do in Sagallou? Or could they make a small protectorate along the east coast of Africa near Kenya or Zanzibar?

Madagascar ? Mauritius ? Comores ? They could reach it through Pacific Ocean.
 
Why would Japan want African colonies when they offered no strategic benefit to it and the men and resources needed for a colony could be better spent in securing and integrating Korea and the southern half of Sakhalin.

After world War 1 as concessions from Germany I could see the European powers giving Japan a few islands and a mainland enclave but nothing before 1900.

AIUI, the question wasn't Why? but How?
 
How about they invade Ethiopia? Don't ask how, just what they would do to conquer this empire?

Well, they had pretty good relations. Maybe they ally themselves with regional warlords/kings like the British did in India. Before Menelik II. centralized the country more and pulled a East African Meiji, Ethiopian/Abyssinian emperors had been pretty weak.
 
How about Japan uses diplomacy instead of aggression to gain colonies in Africa. For example, offer something to Portugal, with whom the Japanese have historical connections, with the Portuguese founding the city of Nagasaki, for instance. Perhaps Japan offers stronger trading ties between Portugal-Goa-Macao-Nagasaki in exchange for ceding Ouidah to Japan. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ouidah

Portugal did not control all of Ouidah, merely a 5 acre plot that included a fort from the slave trading era. It was a relic of a by gone era, and I cannot imagine Japan being interested an 18th century fort.
 
How about they invade Ethiopia? Don't ask how, just what they would do to conquer this empire?

Invent pretty damn good airships, produce them in huge numbers. Ethiopia was (and is) landlocked.
But by that point, they would need not to bother. With that sort of airpower, they have the logistical tail to rule wherever they may wish.
A Japan that is able to project the power to conquer Ethiopia in, say, 1890 is a Japan who can likely to ask Britain to jump and hear "how high" as a response.
 
Top