Molotov

The earliest days of a map game are usually the easiest, just by random chance, since you won't have people overlapping over one another. But it seems we've run into a bit of a conflict on one particular issue: What will we do about the Japanese Islands?

Huojin has been arguing for the Cipan Free States, as had been previously proposed by RinKou, but with significant European colonization. Other members, notably Professor Dino, have been very critical of this notion of European colonization, and looking at the original submission, I must note that it is lacking therein.

Dr. MoO PhD has proposed a much more historical Japan, with a Pacific Empire and colonialism in California.

I, personally, enjoying the act of preserving minor nations throughout history and diverging to highlight interesting historic and cultural divides, also like the idea of a strong Ryuku Kingdom that has taken control of the East China Sea and Southern Japan (as the cultures there are suprisingly close), and have drawn this in the map because.... well, because I can, and enjoy giving you all some challenges to work around. Also, it's emerged in an apparent power Vacuum immediately east of the Chinas, which are to be sure to make things interesting.

So, I'd like you all to provide feedback, and let's develop the nation collaboratively as a player base. I've made my argument for Ryuku, but not even that is holy.

Personally, I would like to see a pacific Japanese empire, but in the sense of something like a federation of different factions. I'm a bit skeptical of heavy European colonization or concession--they'd likely have some, and maybe never closed off, but the cultural bias is seen across cultures, and also don't quite have as much to offer as China (as well as a less-colonial mindset being a theme of the game as it were). I do enjoy the idea of some crazy Japanese plot to get across the Pacific (and finally give us something in CA--We could parallel Shadowrun and speculative historic Chinese exploration and give them San Francisco). Finally, I wish to give the Ainu some love and let them have their traditional grounds, maybe Sakhalin and the like.

Additional reading sources:

• Huo's claims for China
  
• Helpful post by RinKou on worldbuilding Japan in a similar situation[/url]

So I would argue that Japan should have a colonial Empire for a couple reasons.

First Japan would only be slightly affected by the point of divergence in this timeline. Less diseases in the New world wouldn't really impact Japan for most of its history. Perhaps the absence of new world silver would impact its economy somewhat, but I'm not sure.

Second, European powers seems weaker in this timeline. We have an independent Oman controlling the Indian ocean. Likewise most of Africa is free. It doesn't seem plausible that the Europeans would be able to colonize Japan in any form. Japan had one of the highest population densities, so it would be hard to project power unto it. Honestly if Japan was colonized it would be by China instead.

So with Europeans less able to project power into the Pacific, this leaves it open for Japan. Many of the Pacific Islands wouldn't have the manpower or technology of Japan. Thus I could see Japan colonizing as far as Hawaii.