WI: Japanse Militarism is Curbed

I've been tossing around another TL idea in my head and I was wondering, is it possible to restrain Japanese militarism after the Russo-Japanese war? It seems like they were several points where the non-military or at least less bloody minded retired-military could have gained the ascendancy so that the army and navy could be brought under civilian control.

I am not sure non-militarism is possible but restrained civilian militarism might be. Ideally I'd like to see Japan take Manchuria as part of a deal with Chiang not to obstruct him in China proper and as part of an anti-communist thing to crush the eventual Maoists and secure resources needed from China by trade instead. I don't think that's likely at all, and even if it did happen Chiang would probably be overthrown but anyhow that's what I'm taking to the board.
 
Possible if the Taisho Democracy does better. Maybe if moderates like Ito live or the Militarists are in power at the dawn of the depression and take the blame rather than the democrats.

I've explored similar venues as precursors to Coprosperity. :D
 
From what I read, the militarism was a response to the relative lack of direction after the death of the Meiji Emperor, maybe if the Taisho Emperor was more like his father and guided Japan more directly, that could be a possibility.

Or somehow reduce the power of the bureaucracy and strengthen the parties, which in the end could create something with the elected officials controlling the bureaucracy more effectively. But that may totally change the modernization process in Japan, which may totally change Japanese nationalism and reduce the militarism due to a less advanced military.
 
We also need a way to get enough resources. Even without the military which to an extent went on adventures to secure resources to go on more adventures, they'll still need that coal, iron, oil trifecta. The Taisho Democracy after Taisho thread also had some good points too... though I am uncomfortable with a geological PoD. Well I won't be starting new TLs till after the new year at the earliest so I have some time to research.

But I'm thinking the tale might be told by the PoV of an American diplomat to Japan.
 
A less militaristic Japan would probably have been able to buy the resources it needed.

Well, yes and no. Rising protectionism by America and Britain made their position quite unpleasant, and Japan's economy did boom in the 1930s. But I agree not spending money on war is almost always a good thing.
 
Well, yes and no. Rising protectionism by America and Britain made their position quite unpleasant, and Japan's economy did boom in the 1930s. But I agree not spending money on war is almost always a good thing.

Yea, in hindsight nothing drains the ol' treasury coffers like an unwinable long-term land war in Asia. It's almost as stupid as challenging a Sicilian when death is on the line.
 
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