



Japanese representatives onboard the IJN Yamato to sign the Treaty of Taihoku

Of all the wars in this time period, none was more brutal than the 2nd Sino-Japanese war. while primarily raged between Qing China and Japan, the theater encompassed Indochina and the South Pacific. The spark began in 1938 when a indecent on the inter-border railway near Fengtian Manchuria (suspected to have been a false flag operation set up by the Japanese) escalated into a shoot out between military garrisons. the opening months of the war saw the Japanese swiftly take most of northern China. the Qing, having spent but the few years of peace rebuilding and barley uniting the mainland, was unprepared for this sudden aggression. by the start of 1940, Japan had started to launch amphibious assaults on the Legation Cities in a effort to cut the Chinese forces in half. The Cities quickly fell to the IJA, culminating in the Rape of Shanghai. By 1941 however, the Japanese war machine soon found itself grinding to a halt and soon had to deal with partisan forces in a war of attrition.





Scene from the Japanese Invasion of Deutsch-Ostasien.

Wanting to secure for resources for it's military ventures in China, and with the imperial powers of Europe embroiled in the war against the international, the Military High command opted for a invasion to to south. With little hesitation, Japanese forces invaded the various colonial possessions through out the south east. First to fall was the Philippines, While a independent nation following the outbreak of the 2nd American civil war the country was ripped for the picking. Next was Deutsch-Ostasien, still reeling from putting down the syndicalist revolt just a few years ago, the Japanese took advantage of Germany's focus on the war in Europe and invaded the colony. Finally was Dutch East Indies, Already embroiled in a rebellion, all that was needed was some "help" from their "fellow Asian comrades". the invasions were no with out hiccups, especially with Deutsch-Ostasien, or rather with various resistance groups who had went into hiding after their failed rebellion against the Germans. During the occupation, the occupational forces were caught up with trying to both open up a new front near China's southern border and maintaining a firm group in Indochina in the face of overwhelming resistance.





a Russian tank unit driving over the plains of Manchuria

Still the situation seemed Dire for the Qing, Beijing was in Japanese hands, and the IJA was making a dash to the wartime capital of Nanjing. All seemed to be lost. that was until the bear awoke and attacked. The Russian attack took everyone by surprise, as it was believed that they would not have enough troops to station at the far east, let alone have enough to launch a attack. Though for the Qing, it was a miracle from the heavens above, for the the Japanese it was another nightmare unfolding. For the Russians, the Prize was the return of Vladivostok back into Russian hands after roughly two decades of being under the thumb of Tokyo. less than week into the invasion, as it became clear that Russia was turning the tide of the war, The Qing Government hastily contacted Russia to some sort of agreement or a Joint military alliance against the Japanese. after frequent back and forth commutations, a agreement was reached, a Russo-Sino Coalition would be formed to push the Japanese not only out of china, but out of Mainland Asia itself. After another Gruling years of fighting, by the end of 1944, Japan's most prized colonial possession of Korea was liberated by Russo-Sino forces.





Victory Parade being held in Chungking

While the fall of Korea did damage Japan's Prestige, This did little in breaking the war spirit among both Military and Political leadership. The efforts to drive Japan completely out of Mainland Asia was only met half way as Indochina still remained under Japanese rule. In addition neither Russia or China had neither neither the Air or Naval strength to launch a invasion of Japan itself. then on August 3rd, a Coup took place in Tokyo. Lead by Lieutenant General Kiichiro Higuchi, The New Leadership wished to end the war on equal terms. Less than a week latter a conference was held in the harbor of Taihoku. it would be a peace with honor for the Japanese and reparation for the Russians and Chinese. While Japan Kept it's colonial Holdings in the Pacific, it's holdings in mainland Asia would be handed over the either Russia or china. The one execution to this rule was anything below the 20th parallel would remain under Japanese control. With but a few signatures, the war in the east was over.





Lieutenant General Kiichiro Higuchi

With the war over, Japan must now rebuild what it lost. While it is true that they still hold onto Formosa and the south East, The loss of Korea was Devastating blow to the Pride of the Nation and as the Atomic Age dawns, it may be ripe for outside powers to pick apart the Co-Prosperity Sphere bit by bit. However, while the IJA is still reeling from it humiliation, the IJN is till the pride of Japanese armed forces and with it's reach extending all the way to Hawaii, Japan remains the master of the Pacific. There is still the question of is Democracy can be Returns to the Rising Sun even after purging the Kodoha faction. With Hirohito still alive and sitting on the throne, but reduced to a mouthpiece of Higuchi’s policies, it is yet to be seen if Higuchi will attempt to further reform Japan’s government towards more democratic lines, or if he will increase his own power to oppose the other individuals and political factions vying for control in Japan’s post-war era.





that not to mention the matters regarding the client states





Emperor Bảo Đại (left) and Giáo-Tông Phạm Công Tắc (Right)



After the Capitulation of Deutsch-Ostasien, it colony was broken up into various puppet states. In Vietnam the former emperor was placed back on the throne in Huế. In order to appear to the populace that Japan had liberated Vietnam, and also make to have a friendly government over seeing Bảo Đại, Tokyo Selected the Spiritualist Phạm Công Tắc as the de-facto leader of Vietnam. Out of all the Independence leaders in the country, Phạm Công Tắc was the most Pro-Japanese among them and was more than happy to accept the request to lead the Vietnamese people under the watchful of his Japanese overlords. However Rumors are abound the a resistance movement (under the name of The Vietcong) is growing.





King Norodom Sihanouk of the Cambodia



Cambodia was not too that dissimilar of a story. After the dismantling of the colonial system, The Japan Crowned Sihanouk as the De-Jure leader of Cambodia. However the Real leaders was a Military Junta over seen by Tokyo. So far Sihanouk is not much of a leader, a fact contributed to his age and inexperience .





King Sisavang Vong of Lan Xang

In comparison to it's contemporaries, Lan Xang's King rules with absolute power with little middlemen to constrain him. Outside of heeding the words of Tokyo, Lan Xang is a country where anything the king says is Law and any insult to his majesty is punished by death.





Sultan Raja Abdul Aziz of the Srivijaya Empire

While Northern Borneo was made a dependent territory of Japan, the Malay Peninsula was made a puppet state which is to rule the entire territory (with the exception of Singapur, now called Syonan-to, which was annexed as prefecture).





King Rama VII (left) and Prime Minister Plaek "Phibun" Phibunsongkhram (Right)

During the political turmoil that came from black Monday, Siam was wrapped up in a storm of violence and radicalization that saw Marshal Plaek "Phibun" Phibunsongkhram take power. Out of the gate, Phibun sought a alliance with Japan as part of the newly founded Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere. Reluctantly Phibun did not abolished the monarchy but has drastically decreased the power of the king, meaning that Phibun is the nations supreme leader in all but name.





Queen Lydia Liliuokalani of Hawaii

As the United States collapses in civil war, the isolated island of Hawaii saw this as it's opportunity to reclaim it's independence again after nearly 4 decades of foreign rule. After declaring it's succession from the mainland, the new government reinstalled the monarchy and crowning Lydia Liliuokalani Kawānanakoa as Queen of the Hawaiian islands. It's alliance with Japan was one of short notice, while many wanted to align with ether the Reichspakt or the Entente, the news that the Japanese armed forces was seizing American holdings in the Pacific convinced many to seek diplomatic ties with the Japanese least they be annexed into the fold. While a constitutional monarchy made by Hawaiians and for Hawaiians, It's economy is almost completely under the thumb of Japanese economic interest. In addition, it's minuscule military means that they relay on the Japanese for military protection at both home and over the waves.









Meanwhile, across the straits of Japan, the Middle Kingdom licks their wounds



The Xuantong Emperor himself, Puyi



Despite the victory over the Japanese, there is still a lot of work to do. the war put a wrench in the plans to modernize china and with the north and east ripped apart by war, the task is no doubt daunting. Though one can not ignore the tensions in the air between China and Russia. Just as the Syndicalist West was but allies of convenience, so were the Qing. During the time before the war, a coup in Beijing saw Puyi reclaiming his power and anointed Yan Xishan as head of the intermediate post coup government. While military plans were initially set upon bringing the warlords back into the fold, the war with Japan complicated matters as the war effort had to be devoted to fighting back against the invaders. Even with its new client state of Korea under its wing, it seems a civil war is about to break out on the mainland, although it seems the Qing will win and the Manchu monarch will mange to undue the century of humiliation and reclaimed the Mandate of Heaven

Flag of the reborn Kingdom of Korea









King Yi Kang



As the last of the Japanese Forces were driven out of Seoul, and Qing soldiers marched into the city, It was here that the House of Yi was reinstalled as the rulers of the Korean Peninsula. Less than a month after the Treaty of Taihoku, Yi Kang was crowned King. This coronation was not without backlash from the native population, as Kang's younger, Yi Un, was actually the legitimate heir the the throne. However the Qing chose Kang over Un due to the fact the Un's history of serving in the IJA both before and during the war. Even though Un was no longer with the Japanese, Beijing was still was weary of the possibilities that he may hold Japanese sympathies at worst, or be a unreliable puppet at best. For now, the occupational forces are now tasked of working with the Koreans to cleanse the country of any and all elements of Japanese culture that was forces upon Korea during the decades of imperial rule.





Long Yun, Warlord of the Yunnan clique.

The southern provinces of China stand united under Chen Jiongming’s Federal Government, which is preparing to strike the Qing at any moment, although the Qing’s control of Manchuria and its’ industry all but ensures their victory.





Flag of the Xinjiang Clique



In the aftermath of the fall of the League of Eight Provinces, members of the KMT escaped to Xinjiang and helped Sheng Shicai consolidate his power over the clique, making their intentions of making the place the last stronghold for ideas of Sun Yat-sen clear. While Sheng has declared neutrality in the midst of the turmoil in the east, the dominance of the Qing has now made him worried of the inevitable conquest that is no doubt sure to come. His only possible hope is from Russia, Though Boris's far right positions are no doubt at odds with Sheng's leftist ideals.





while another stand off is occurring in the Far East, further west new nations shape their own destiny

