Japan strikes South, way early

After the Sino-Japanese War, decides on Nanshan-ron, the southern expansion doctrine. On May 1, 1897 a surprise attack on the Spanish fleet in Manila Bay by the Empire of Japan. In a few hours the Spanish forces are defeated. Manila's harbor is captured before evening. By June except for Manila all of the Philippines are captured by 20,000 Japanese troops. On June 20, Guam is captured. July 25, 2,000 Japanese troops land on the Chinese island of Hainan. The conquest is complete by August 9. Japan pays China 450 million yen for the island. On August 13, Manila surrenders and the Japanese conquest of the Philippines is complete. October 1, a peace treaty is signed between Spain and Japan, with the Philippines and the Spanish Pacific islands becoming Japanese territory.
I'm writing a timeline for my own amusement called Rolls! Rolls! Rolls! where Japan has an economy that is twice as big as OTL from the Meiji Restoration until 1941.

As part of that the Japanese do even better in the First Sino-Japanese War because they can afford larger armed forces. They annex Korea in 1895 instead of 1910 and extract an even larger indemnity from China. They are still forced to give Port Arthur to the Russians so that the Russo-Japanese War still happens, but the result of that is Japan gains control of Manchuria sooner.

I hadn't thought of the Japanese taking Hainan earlier, but in my TL the Japanese might have had the logistical capability to take the island during the First Sino-Japanese war so they wouldn't have to pay the Chinese 450 million Yen for it as they do in your OP.

I was thinking of the Japanese using the larger indemnity from China to buy the Spanish Indies before the Spanish-American War broke out OR they jump on the band wagon by declaring war on Spain shortly after the USA did and capture Manila and Guam before the Americans can.
 
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July 25, 2,000 Japanese troops land on the Chinese island of Hainan. The conquest is complete by August 9. Japan pays China 450 million yen for the island.
Is the earlier occupation of Japan so that they can exploit its mineral wealth? In particular its iron ore?
 
No I hadn't. I'm not sure if it helps or hinders what I'm trying to achieve though.

I've toyed with the idea of a TL with the US getting involved in the RJW and deciding to come to Korea's aid, helping with modernization and not allowing Japanese annexation. I did a bit of the research for this, but just don't have the gumption to actually start it.
 
The Japanese government now decided to make plans for the next 15 years. The three options were; 1, to not expand further. 2, to further expand south, possibly the Dutch East Indies. 3, to further expand north, Manchuria and Outer Manchuria (the Russian Maritime Provence. Each had its pros and cons. While this was debate since the nation was an island empire fleet expansion would continue. Problems with distinguishing between splashes of the 10" guns verses the 12" guns in the Satsuma-class lead to a reconstruction of the class. The ships were rearmed with a battery of 16-10" guns in twin turrets. They became one of the most powerful ships afloat. Each ship could fire 8,240 pounds at once and 12,360 pounds per minutes. The Kawachi-class was delayed in building as they were rearmed with identical 12"/45 guns for a total at once weight of fire of 10,200 pounds. It was also decided to rebuild the Katori-class with a main armament of 12-10" guns. The Ibuki-class battlecruisers were rebuilt to have 2 twin turrets and 4 single turrets armed with 10" guns. It was also decided to increase the order of the new Kongo-class battlecruisers from 4 to 6 ships.
 
After the Agadir Crisis, the Japanese approached the British about Siam becoming a Japanese protectorate. It was mentioned the German interest in Siam prompted the move. Knowing the Siam was neutral land between British India and French Indochina, as British allies would Japanese gains in the area upset relations between the countries. After consultation with the French the British government informed the Japanese government that no British or French interest were threatened. In August 1912, Siam became a protectorate of Japan leading to further Dutch fears about Japanese interests in Southeast Asia.
 
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