WI: Japan joins the Scramble for Africa

Is this likely at all?

  • this is pure ASB

    Votes: 37 29.1%
  • Not that likely, but slightly possible.

    Votes: 82 64.6%
  • A decent probability, given the circumstances.

    Votes: 7 5.5%
  • More likely than OTL, actually.

    Votes: 1 0.8%

  • Total voters
    127

Lusitania

Donor
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.
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.
 
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.
Agreed. No one acknowledged it as an equal until it crushed Russia in 1905.
 
Say Japan gets opened up by some European power much earlier than OTL, say sometime before the Napoleonic wars or in the post-Napoleonic era, they industrialise/modernise decades earlier than OTL, beat up some decaying European power like Spain, Netherlands or like Russia in OTL. This causes Japan to be recognised as a great power.

Could it get a piece of Africa? Certainly there is not much incentive for Japan to colonise Africa, but during the 19th century colonies were seen as sign of prestige.

Also, what would be the effects? There could be some butterflies regarding anything after 1850 for sure.

Not that likely even if they were supported by another power. An earlier industrialized Japan would rather focus to the North Asia, East Asia, Southeast Asia, and the Pacific for creating its Greater Japanese Empire. Africa is too far for Japan even if they logistical capability to support it.
 
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Agreed. No one acknowledged it as an equal until it crushed Russia in 1905.
What if they beat a European colonial power, assuming they industrialize sometime around 1750-1800, which is almost a century earlier than OTL and could focus on economic development for the 18th and early 19th century.

Would it be recognized as a equal/be invited to the Berlin Conference if it crushes Russia and/or Spain/Netherlands/Portugal and is allied with one European power (pick GB, France, Germany etc)
 
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.

The Japanese would die of Malaria and barely go beyond Nosy Be before the French kick them off.

At most a delegation of Japanese Farmers or enslaved farmers could be sent there to improve rice production that increases population.

Outright take over though? Nah. Malagasy were almost just as quick as Japanese to produce guns, cannons and other weapons when the technology was introduced. The Japanese have no edge.
 

Lusitania

Donor
What if they beat a European colonial power, assuming they industrialize sometime around 1750-1800, which is almost a century earlier than OTL and could focus on economic development for the 18th and early 19th century.

Would it be recognized as a equal/be invited to the Berlin Conference if it crushes Russia and/or Spain/Netherlands/Portugal and is allied with one European power (pick GB, France, Germany etc)
No it’s not a European country so it is not equal. Remember Europe had signs on their buildings in China stating no dogs or Chinese
 
I mean taking Philippines that worth it for japan but attempting something as far as Africa.

Ah, I'll definitely agree with you on the Philippines. Isabella's regeime was certainly
la mujer enferma de europa and nobody really was shedding tears over it's decay, and Japan could reform and redirect the local economy towards actual commodity production on a scale suitable for export. I was thinking you were talking more like something along the lines of Reunion Island. Not only is that pointless and expensive to Tokyo, but the optics between Japan picking up territory in her own backyard and expanding into "Great Power" games. The former is the metaphorical big fish in a small pond, where no matter how much they thrive isent a threat to the feeding prospects of the fish in the big pond even if they aren't themselves on the menu.
 
Japan has better things to colonize that are closer. They would be better of dominating China, annexing Manchuria and kicking Spain from the Philippines.
 
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