Results of successful Mongol invasions of Japan

Historyman 14

Historyman 14

Now, the Mongols try to invade and take over Japan in 1274, and later in 1281. Both fail due to a typhoon. Now, let say either in 1274, or 1281, they was not a typhoon, and the Mongols did take over Japan.

What will the short and long term consequences of this?
 

SvoHljott

To avoid a geographical POD which is kind of a messy thing, how about we say the Mongols never retreat? It was unnecessary and a poor decision considering they were winning, but they were afraid the Japanese were coming back with reinforces (that the Japanese didn't have). Let's say the Mongols advance further into Japan and burn the capital and execute both the Shogun and the Emperor. Of course, the Mongols are going to have more fighting once they reach the mountains inland, where a lot of Daimyo will be hiding out, ready to rebel. Some Daimyo will surrender and be kept as vassals by the Mongols. Perhaps they even allow one to be the de jure Shogun.

Japan will likely be annexed to the Yuan Dynasty, anyway. Sadly for Japanophilies, Japan is an insignificant island nation in medieval times. Heck, not even a really united one. If Korea gets annexed, you can sure bet the Japanese do too.
 

cubefreak123

Banned
Japan becomes a bit more sinicized in the long run probably. The mongols would eventually be forced off the island but how long is the real question. Japan becomes quite a bit more paranoid about outside forces and ultimately decides to invest in a stronger navy.
 

SvoHljott

cubefreak123 said:
Japan becomes a bit more sinicized in the long run probably. The mongols would eventually be forced off the island but how long is the real question. Japan becomes quite a bit more paranoid about outside forces and ultimately decides to invest in a stronger navy.
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I'm not so sure about Sinicized. Other parts of the Mongol Empire didn't become Sinicized (i.e. Central Asia, including the parts in the Yuan Dynasty) and I don't see why Japan would. It'd likely be the backwaters that gets untouched (there's not really a lot of anything worth much there, anyway).

Paranoid about outside forces? Maybe. Realizing it's not on the periphery of the world anymore? Yes. Japan will probably be much more involved in outside affairs and you can bet for sure that the Japanese will send out more expeditions, maybe as far as Africa, definitely as far as Bengal.
 

Herzen's love-child

A Mongol occupation might instigate an earlier unification of Japan -- either through the administrative auspices of the Yuan or as a result of throwing them out. Japan becomes a maritime power and perhaps instigates aggressive overseas campaigns earlier. Perhaps an earlier attempt to conquer Korea?
 

BBadolato

Two things, Japan already had Chinese influences, and was already unified. If this invasion follows the typical Mongol MO, it could be rather traumatic to deal with given the potential for losses.
 
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