WI Sakamoto Ryōma not assassinated?

A Japan without an Emperor? Or an Emperor that has even less powers, and treated like the British treat their Royalty.
 
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Most likely some sort of parliamentary democracy as we saw IOTL. But with a heavier emphasis on US-style 'republicanism,' and a more limited role for the Emperor. A stronger civilian government is also likely, with the military being slightly less emphasized in governmental affairs than IOTL. That isn't to say though that one man's life instead of death would completely avert Japanese militarism and imperialism; Korea and Taiwan, as well as many minor islands near the Japanese Home Islands are still going to be conquered. However the Chinese campaigns, specifically in Manchuria, and the campaigns in South-East Asia are far less likely. In fact, depending how you play out the TL, you might see a strong but democratic Japan allied with the US and UK in WW1 (as per OTL), but with a more peaceful Co-Prosperity Sphere. Perhaps a series of bi-lateral trade agreements, eventually moving towards an anti-colonial, anti-western, anti-communist but anti-fascist political/economic forum. I wouldn't go as far as to say a bloc, but certainly Japan could enjoy mutual defense arrangements with the Philippines, French Indochina, etc.
 
Would it possible for the Japanese to 1) Stop at Manchuria in terms of outright control 2) Treat the Koreans in a way that they would be reconciled to becoming part of Japan?
 
Somehow, an instantenous turn to parliamentary democracy seems strange, considering a parliament wasn't even proposed until over 20 years following Ryoma's death OTL.
 
Would it possible for the Japanese to 1) Stop at Manchuria in terms of outright control 2) Treat the Koreans in a way that they would be reconciled to becoming part of Japan?

I think that rather than following Prussia's example, the government would reflect the U.S. more-and I think that means imperialism would still be unhindered. For Korea, the answer is definitely no-East Asians are not easily occupied or swayed (US and Vietnam) and history has shown that the only colonial power Asia hates more than the Western ones was Japan. Just as the Koreans hated the Japanese, the Japanese did not care for the Koreans (the same for the Western imperialist powers and the people they conquered). Maybe if they were granted more autonomy. Then again, if Prussia and later Germany's notion of racial purity didn't exist in Japan, there might be a warming of relations. However, even if this happened and the Japanese along with Korea defeated a Western power together, I doubt there would be much call for a Union (unless it was a xenophobic thing or puppet state).

The nation I'm curious about then is the Republic of Ezo, which was essentially a US-influenced Japan. Do you think Japan would have allowed it to remain independent? Or would the need for the Republic vanish?

Of course, crazy things did happen in Japan at this time. There were even calls for eradicating Japanese and replacing it with French. Who knows?
 
On the Republic of Ezo -- I can't think of a reason Ryoma living would lead to the Republic enduring, at least as a separate or US dominated country (remember the US was backing the Shogunate in the previous wars, who Ryoma was allied against).
 

maverick

Banned
What?

Am I missing something?

How does a surviving Sakamoto Ryoma mean a powerless Meiji Emperor or a Democratic Japan?

Must be because I'm a cynic, but I don't think that one man, no matter how charismatic and talented, could "clean up" Japan all by himself. Admitting that his extended life bears little effect within the Meiji Restoration, the dangerous reformer could be sidelined by the more conservative Meiji Oligarchy.

Ryoma would have to out-maneuver Saigo Takamori, Okubo Toshimichi and Kido Takayoshi and maybe even the Meiji Emperor himself if he wanted that much radical change happening at the beginnings of the Meiji Restoration.

There were even calls for eradicating Japanese and replacing it with French. Who knows?

Who called for this and when? :eek:
 
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