Posting from the United Empire of Japan, South Korea and Taiwan. Just back from my trip to Keijo - a really nice place. Despite some random terrorist attacks staged by the Korean Republican Army before the 1990s, the majority of people in Korea, as shown in a recent poll, oppose secession.
Okay, back to our topic. After the Taisho Political Crisis in 1913, the military could no longer attempt to intervene civilian politics. Looking back, I really wonder if Japan could become such a prosperous and democratic superpower had the Great War broken out. Those insane warmongers inside the military may once again become awesomely popular as they were before the Taisho Political Crisis, and perhaps Japan may have gone insane some time in the 1930s. Therefore, I don't really think a devastating war in Europe during the 1910s would give other European states democracy.
Today, Japan maintains one of the strongest navies in the world, but the civilian government has full control over the military. Under the Seiyukai governments of Takashi Hara (1919-29) and Ichiro Hatoyama (1938-43, 1955-59) and the Minseito governments of Matajiro Koizumi (1929-38) and Shigeru Yoshida (1947-55), Japan stepped onto the right direction of peaceful economic expansion instead of military aggression. The Civil Rights Act of 1945, pushed by Emperor Hirohito and Prime Minister Kijuro Shidehara (1943-47), gave women and all minorities full citizenship and the right to vote. In 1990, Yoshio Hayashi became the first Taiwanese Japanese to become Prime Minister of Japan.
And hey, have you read the breaking news on NHK? After months of peaceful anti-government protests, the German Kaiser has just announced that he would transfer most of his power to the Chancellor and the elected diet by the end of 2011. China, Russia and Austria-Hungary could continue their censorship, but it won't work long. Emperor Karl of Austria-Hungary could continue using tanks and guns against his people, but he could not live long. From the failed assassination of Archduke Ferdinand Zvonimir 2 days ago, you know how popular the imperial household of Austria-Hungary is. Down with the absolute monarchies! Free "Northwest Corea" from China! Free "Northeast Joseon" from Russia! Freedom for Europeans!