Lusitania
Donor
Sorry but I do have to disagree. The Europeans had been colonizing the world since 15th century. By the 2nd half of the 19thcentury the world was practically divided between the “exclusive” European and they were not accepting applications from Asian countries. Regardless of Japan’s rise and progress it was still looked upon as a secound class country. If it has tried to muscle it’s way in Britain, France and Germany would of pushed it back to home islands.It is Madagascar.
I just checked and the French didn't invade the island until 1883. Plenty of time for the Japanese to get in first, though a protectorate to defend the island from the French and British was more likely.
Its no more ridiculous than France taking Madagascar as a colony.