Japan

大日本帝国

**Japan (Officially: Empire of Japan/大日本帝国)** is a nation located in East Asia. The country stretches from Formosa to Korea to Alaska. She also controls a portion of the Manchurian railway. The coutry borders Qing China in Asia and Canada in the Americas. It is a Democracy and a major power in Asia with Meiji as the Emperor and Katsura Tarō as the Prime Minister.

## History

### Pre-Modern History

An ancient land in the Far East, Japan was once ruled by a military government known as the Bakufu, headed by a Shogun.

### Westernisation

It wasn't until this mysterious and mythical land was forced open by the American's Mathew Perry's expedition on July 8th 1853 did the rest of the world finally get a view into this Feudal land. Of course in Japan, this was a sign of changing times, and eventually in 1869 the old Feudal ways were overthrown, the Shogun dethroned, and the Emperor restored in what is now known as the Meiji Restoration. From this point forward Japan has been going down a path of rapid modernization and Westernization, as Japan desperately tried to keep up with the west, as to not end up as the once mighty China did in the First and Second Arrow wars.

#### War with China

Just as the western powers did, Japan started to expand its zone of influence, creating an Empire of its own. Hokkaido and the Ryukyu Kingdom were the first to be subjected to Japans Imperial Expansion, however it wasn't until 1895 did Japan prove herself as a true Empire. The First Sino-Japanese War kicked off in 1894, with many expecting the much larger and more modern Beiyang fleet to easily stop the Japanese. However much to the shock of everyone except the British Empire who had trained the Japanese Naval officers, Japan had laid defeat to Chinas fleet, and had cut off Taiwan, leading to a revolt on the Island. In Korea the Japanese Army saw only Victory, however they were costly, and it wasn't until the Japanese Attempted to cross the Yalu river into China proper, was the Japanese advanced halted. Though the Chinese Empire unsure of its ability to continue to wage war, decided to meet for Peace, ceding Taiwan, Sahaliyan, and gave up its rights over Korea, in which Japan was quick to Occupy.

#### War with Russia

This sudden territorial expansion scared the likes of the Russian Empire, who had two port cities near Korea, Port Arthur, and port Vladivostok, as well as the Manchurian Railway. They also had claims to Sahaliya, now called Karafuto by the Japanese, and things would only escalate until when in 1904, with the backing of the British, the Japanese would sneak attack Port Arthur, starting the Russo-Japanese War. Japan much to the shock of the world, would defeat both the Russian Pacific and Baltic fleets, and would bring defeat to the Russians who were defending the Manchurian railway.

With no Navy to oppose the Japanese, the Russians would find their colony of Alaska cut off, and starving, and soon in 1905, with the Threat of the Qing joining against Russia who was not happy that a war was being fought on their territory, would eventually meet for peace, with the Confederate president Josephus Daniels meditating. Russia reluctantly gave up not only Vladivostok and Port Arthur, but also the Southern Portion of the Manchurian Railway, the Kuril Islands, and the biggest prize of them all, Alaska, Which the Japanese Renamed "Daihodou". However despite these great Victories, Japan received no Reparations, which has left the Japanese sour, and more importantly broke, bringing us to a crossroads.

### Modern Japan

With Russia Defeated, and Korea annexed in 1910. Japan finds herself the Leader of the Pacific, Masters of the sea, with its economy rapidly growing and more markets opening to Japan, Such as the Tagalog Republic, and Majapahit. Japan also finds herself in a period of ever increasingly Democratic as the Meiji Emperor has become increasingly senile, and unfit to rule, thus giving more power to the Imperial Diet and Civilian Government. However not all is well. Daihodou has proven itself an expensive colony with little gain, but if exploited correctly, could prove to be extremely profitable. Their old neighbour China has also begun to rapidly catch up Japan, even surpassing them in some regards, which has left Japan with two options, as its clear that the original tactic of forcing China into submission may no longer work. As the world heads for a war greater then one ever before it, it may be a good idea to work with the Chinese, which could allow for continued Japanese economic expansion into the Nation, and could prove a useful ally should a war start in Siberia. Many pan-asianists in the government prefer this option, as do the moderates as the costly endeavor that was the Russo-Japanese war has left a sour taste in their mouths, which in turn has seen military intervention a less favourable option. However Conservatives argue that Japan runs the risk of being over taken by China if it is not kept in check.