NationStates Jolt Archive

Factbook of the Japanese Empire

Name: Empire of Japan
Capitol: Tokyo
Territory: Japanese Home Isles, Korea (Chosen), Liaoning (China), Formosa, Southern Half of Sakhalin and the Kurrill Islands.
Head of State: Emperor Taisho
Type of Government: Constitutional Monarchy, but not quite a democracy.

Imperial Japanese Army
-380,000 active duty and 1st Reserve personnel - former Class A and B(1) conscripts after 2 year active tour with 17 and 1/2 year commitment
-50,000 Second line Reserve - Same as above but former Class B(2) conscripts
-220,000 National Army
1st National Army - 37 to 40 year old men from end of 1st Reserve to 40 years old.
2nd National Army - untrained 20 year olds and over 40 year old trained reserves.
-4,250,000 males available for service and mobilization.

Armies (self made list):
1st. Army-Japan (1 Corps, 45000 men, 5000 Cavalry, 2 Divisions)
2nd. Army-Korea (2 Corps, 90000 men, 10000 Cavalry 4 Div.)
3rd. Army-Liaoning (2 Corps, 90000 men, 10000 Cavalry 4 Div.)
4th Army-Formosa (2 Corps, 90000 men, 10000 Cavalry 4 Div.)
15th Division, 22500 men, 2500 Cavalry-Sakhalin
HQ Staff-5000 men
Fully Alerted

Reserves
1 Corps (45000 men, 5000 Cavalry, 2 Div.) 2nd. Line Reserves Mobilized
1st. National Army (100000 men, 10000 Cavalry, 4 Div.) Mobilized
2nd. National Army (100000 men, 10000 Cavalry, 4 Div.) Mobilized

Imperial Japanese Navy
Dreadnoughts 2
Battle cruisers 1
2nd class Battlecruisers 4
Pre-dreadnought battleships 10
Coast defence ships 4
Armoured cruisers 8
Protected cruisers 15
Light cruisers 6
Aircraft and seaplane carriers 1
Destroyers 50
Submarines 12
TOTALS 113

Fleets

1st. Fleet-Yokohama
3 Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
2 Coast Defence Ships
2 Armoured Cruisers
3 Protected Cruisers
10 Destroyers
2 Submarines

2nd. Fleet-Sasebo
2 Dreadnought Battleships
1 Battlecruiser
2 2nd. Class Battlecruisers
4 Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
1 Coast Defence Ship
3 Protected Cruisers
4 Light Cruisers
1 Sea/Airplane carrier
25 Destroyers
5 Submarines

3rd. Fleet-Taipei
2 2nd. Class Battlecruisers
3 Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
1 Coast Defence Ship
2 Protected Cruisers
2 Light Cruisers
15 Destroyers
5 Submarines
Fully Alerted

Allies:
Great Britain

Neutral:
Everyone else

At War
Germany
Austria-Hungary

Open Diplomatic Message for the Austrian-Hungarian Empire

The Japanese Government and the Emperor are shocked when they received the news of the brutal assasination on the K.u.K. Archduke and heir to the throne. We offer our condoleances to the Government of Austria-Hungary and the grieving family.

OOC: nice, and hey. We're restarting the Sengoku Jidai campaign if you want to join in again Warta. Cheers mate.

Yeah I saw it! Great! I already replied, so...

An urgent telegram from the German government arrived this morning at the Tokyo, Japan.

Emperor Taisho,

As you may or may not be aware of, war has come to Europe. The death of the Austrian Archduke Franz Ferdinand has sparked a crisis on the Continent and it appears that war must come to our homes. While the Kaiser is aware of the Japanese alliance with the British Empire, he would like to remind your Grace that the British are not currently involved in the conflict. We are aware of the Japanese military prowess and applaud it. It appears that the Serbian and Russian peoples will stand together in this conflict, something that would pose a challenge to many nations. However, you have recently won victories against the Russian Empire in the East. Kaiser Wilhelm is aware of Japanese territorial ambition as well and suggests an alliance between our peoples. Japanese victory in the East should be simple, especially with Germany facing them on the opposite side. A Japanese victory could immensely increase your Grace's influence in East Asia, and even Russia herself.

The Kaiser is eager to hear your reply, your Divine Grace,

Gottlieb von Jagow

The Japanese Imperial Headquarters was in an uproar. The Foreign Ministery had received the German Telegram and heared of the war between Serbia and K.u.K. and asked for an urgent meeting with Fukuoka and Kodoma. Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu was also present. After a long debate they agreed to the following message...

From the Imperial Japanese Headquarters to the German Government

The Government in name of the Empire of Japan, His Divine Lord Taisho,
have agreed to reply the following:

Japan finds your telegram to be highly interesting, especially the last line
which speaks of immensely increasing Japan's influence in East Asia and the
Russian Far East. We are very curious about this, could your Imperial
Highness give more details about this (ooc. some specific "prizes" or
something, if you understand what I mean;) ).

For now we remain neutral untill our ally, which we have promised to aide in
every war possible, declares her stance. We seriously regret that we can't
give any certainties about our position in the coming war.

Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu, in name of Emperor Taisho, son of Heaven, Divine Ruler of Japan, Chosen, Formosa etc. etc.

Meanwhile the Government issued the following orders:

-All leaves were canceled, units have to report within 24 hours to their posts.
-The Navy is put on High Alert and is ready to sail. The 2nd. Fleet will cross the Tsushima Straits to Pusan.
-All Reserves (Army reserves, 1st. 2nd Line Reserve Corps and National Armies) are called up and are ready to be stationed within 48 hours.
-The 1st. 2nd Line Reserve Corps will be activated and stationed on Sakhalin.
-The 1st. National Army will be activated and will be transported to Korea/Liaoning.There they will take over tasks of the 2nd. and 3rd. Army. They will be on their positions within 7 days.
-The 2nd. National Army will be activated and stationed in Japan, taking over tasks of the 1st. Army.
-The 1st. Army wil make preparations to embark in Yokohama. For now they'll stay in Japan (the harbour of Yokohama).
-The 3rd. Corps, 2nd. Army will prepare to Embark in Pusan.
-The 4th. Corps, 2nd. Army will take defensive positions along the Korean-Russsian Border. Also 10 miles of border with Manchuria are covered.
-The entire 3rd. Army is put to war stations along the Liaoning-Manchurian borders.
-The 4th. Army is alrted, but no specific move is being made. One Division will move to Taipei however and make preparations to embark.
-A Mobilization call is made for 125.000 men. Of those men, 25000 will be trained as Naval Infantry (details will come later). The training will be finished within 4 months.
-Messages were send to the embassies in Washington and Londen, to speed up negotiations.

The same afternoon, the Emperor, the entire Government and the Imperial Command Staff payed a short visit to the shrine of Hachiman, the god of war...

Details Training Naval Infantry-16 week training course

The first two weeks a recruit endures and learns how to march, parade and increase their phycsical strength. Throughout the entire training period recruits will make a 6 km march each morning and evening, once a week a 26 km march will be held and they'll increase their physical strength. The 3rd to 6th week a recruit will learn how to fight with all kinds of firearms, grenades, banyonets, machineguns and knife. Also Martial Arts will be given (hand-to-hand combat). They will learn basic and advanced offensive/defensive tactics and the basic skills in nightwarfare. the 7th and 8th weeks are full of Naval tactics and Ship-to-Shore tactics. In the next two weeks training and theories learned were repeated. In the four following weeks recruits specialized in a certain skill: Assault Troop, Medical, Engineering, Support/Heavy Weapons (Machineguns etc.) and Sharpshooter. The last two weeks units would be formed and the recruits would learn to work together. After that a Naval Infantry Unit is ready for action.

25000 men
5 Regiments, each 5000 men
1st. Regiment Yokohama
2nd. Regiment Sasebo
3rd. Regiment Taipei
4th. Regiment Pusan
5th. Regiment Okinawa

The Regiments will fall under the Command of the Admiralty.

Details Training Regular Infantry-16 week training course

The first three weeks a recruit endures and learns how to march, parade and increase their phycsical strength. Throughout the entire training period recruits will make a 8 km march each morning and evening, once a week a 30 km march will be held and they'll increase their physical strength. The 4th to 7th week a recruit will learn how to fight with all kinds of firearms, grenades, banyonets, machineguns and knife. Also Martial Arts (hand-to-hand combat) will be given. They will learn basic and advanced offensive/defensive tactics and the basic skills in nightwarfare. The 8th, 9th and 10th weeks are full of Advanced Nighttime warfare and using the learned tactics in the field. In the four following weeks recruits specialized in a certain skill: Assault Troop, Medical, Engineering, Support/Heavy Weapons (Machineguns etc.) and Sharpshooter. The last two weeks units would be formed and the recruits would learn to work together. After that a Regular Infantry Unit is ready for action.

Artillery will follow a different course, with a few differances:
-They won't get as much physical training.
-Almost no Firearm practise.
-A lot of mathmetics.
-Learning the details of each artillery piece used in the IJA.
-Specializing a a type of artillery, but being able to operate other artillery pieces as well.

100000 men
2 Corps (each 50000 men), or 4 Divisions (each 25000 men)
All in Japan for duration of training.

To the Glorious Nation of Japan

It is with out a doubt that your nation exists as one of the strongest in the pacific, having no major influences. However it can be noted that you could perhaps increase your power and influence. With the rise of tensions between my country and the United States, it takes no perception that our Navy is significantly lesser than our oppositions. However it can be noted that with the United States concentrated upon ourselves, should war come it would be vastly more difficult to procure a successful war against ourselves, and defend numerous assets as well.
Take for example the situation in the Pacific, the Philippines and the Sandwich Islands, both ruled despite grumblings of the people beneath them. Imagine if a significant force sailed into both island chains. Why I imagine the populace might be eager for new rulers. With both chains out of the way, and no way to re-supply ships, why it would be near impossible for the United States to reclaim them.
It is not my intention to suggest anything to such a great nation as Japan, but merely to point out the possibilities. Should anything come to mind, I myself resides with in your fair city, and eagerly await your thoughts.

With great Honor
Alberto Arrau


Message from the Mexican Ambassador in Japan

Reply to the Mexican Ambassador

Your ideas are quite tempting, but for now we must refuse them. Even
Japan cannot take on America and the situation in Europe is threatening
indeed. Japan's first and only military goal for now is supporting it's ally in
Europe.

We are however willing to find a peaceful solution.

If we have any news on the situation in Europe and when we've got a
greater military capacity our views may change.

Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu, in name of Emperor Taisho, son of Heaven,
Divine Ruler of Japan, Chosen, Formosa etc. etc.

The Mobilization period is over, the army and navy are ready for everything.

Upon hearing the British decision, the warplans were put into motion. One Division of the First Army and One Division of the Second Army will leave port in their transports, escorted by Battle Squadrons of the 1st. and 2nd Fleets. The 1st. Fleet headed south (ooc. maybe the Central Pacific???) and the 2nd. Headed for China (Qingdao anyone???:D ). The 2nd. Fleet should be there in two (IC) days, the 1st. in 4 (IC) days.

Meanwhile the forward elements 3rd. Army, supported by some elements of the 1st. National Army moved into China.

ooc. more will come later ;)

From: The Portuguese Parliament
To: The Great Empire of Japan

Dark times have fallen upon Europe and war seems inevitable for our nation. It has come to my attention that our ally, the British Empire, has formed an alliance with your eastern empire and our republic, facing war on two continents and the Atlantic, do not wish for hostilities to accidently erupt between our ships. Knowing that we will be unable to aid you currently, we do not ask for an alliance. Instead, we wish simply for a Non-Hostilities Treaty for both land and sea. Perhaps in the future, when our imperialistic neighbors have been defeated and our colonies are safe, our two nations can form closer bonds with each other.

Communique From Nicholas The II

We inadvertantly find ourselves on the same side due to our fellow Alliances. It is with great hope that we may live in peace, forgetting our former hostilities that were created a decade ago. We humbly wish that this strange turn of events may bring a lasting peace after this sad state of affairs has ended.

Encrypted Message to Nicholas II of Russia

We are glad that events in the history of both our nations can be
forgotten. But untill Britain declares war upon Germany and it's allies (which is
a sure thing) we are officially neutral. We can give you however the
guarantee that Japan will not attack Russia, so forces in the Far-East may be
transferred to your western borders.

Prime Minister Okuma Shigenobu, in name of Emperor Taisho, son of Heaven,
Divine Ruler of Japan, Chosen, Formosa etc. etc.

With an almost certain guaranteed friendly status with Russia, the Northern Border can be defended by less men. The 1st 2nd. Line Reserve Corps makes preparations to embark.

Meanwhile plans are made for a Grand Reserve Pool. A total of 660000 men of military age will receive Basic Infantry Training (a 5 week training) to form a so called "Pool" from which reserves can be taken when necessary. At a training rate of 220000 men per 5 weeks, it'll take 15 weeks to give all men BIT.

For now, however, it remains a plan and needs further working out. Imperial Headquarters have given it some attention, but it isn't a high priority. Some orders are given:
-Increase in Training Facilities
-Increase in Arms and Ammunition Production
-Propaganda and Recruitment Campaign is to start once war breaks out.

Also the Navy has made it's wish public that it needs more ships, ranging from Dreadnoughts to Destroyers and Submarines. This results in the following "Wish List":
-2 Dreadnought Battleships
-6 Battlecruisers
-3 Light Cruisers
-25 Destroyers
-25 Submarines

If accepted, the ships could be ready by early 1916 (Submarines, Destroyers and Light Cruisers earlier, from Nov. 1914 to May 1915).

For now the Government and Imperial Headquarters remain anxious for the official British Declaration of war.

Imperial Message from the Emperor and his Government

Upon hearing the British declaration of war Japan has decided to fight alongside it's ally against the German Empire and the Asutrian-Hungarian Empire. We feel bound to our obligations to defend the interests and fight for the things our Glorious Ally thinks are worthwhile. Japan will use all it's efforts to defeat the German and Austrian-Hungarian Empires, to rid the world of it's aggressive, imperialistic evil.

Hereby, the Empire of Japan considers itself hsotile with Germany and Austria-Hungary.

Emperor Yoshito, Son of Heaven, Divine Ruler of Japan, Chosen, Formosa etc. etc.

Immediately the Code Word Springblossom was sent to the Taskforces. The Shangdong Taskforce was near it's destination and split up in Two Squadrons:

Squadron A
2 Dreadnought Battleships
2 2nd. Class Battlecruisers
3 Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
1 Protected Cruisers
2 Light Cruisers
1 Sea/Airplane carrier
10 Destroyers
2 Submarines

Squadron B
1 Battlecruiser
1 Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
2 Protected Cruisers
2 Light Cruisers
10 Destroyers
1 Submarine

Squadron A had to enter the bay of Qingdao and engage the German East Asia fleet. Squadron B would cover the transports while they set the men ashore near Shazikou (about 18 km from Qingdao).

Meanwhile the Grand Reserve Pool plan was accepted, but only for a smaller number of men, 440000 men instead of 660000. In Five weeks 110000 men could receive BIT.

Also the Naval Expansion plan was accepted. The United States of America would be contacted and asked if they could build ships for the IJN.

The propaganda campaigns also started, starting an indoctrination that the Germans and the Austrian-Hungarians were evil and that they had to be destroyed.

The 1st. 2nd Line Reserve Corps will be transferred to Korea.

The first class of the Grand Reserve Pool have finished their training. They will receive further training immediately and will be send to Korea and form the 5th Army.

The Naval Infantry Training and Regular Infantry Training classes are well underway and are expected to finish training in a few more weeks.