NationStates Jolt Archive

The Empire of Japan Factbook, News and Diplomacy (Age of Imperialism)

Factbook of the Japanese Empire

Name: Empire of Japan
Capitol: Tokyo
Territory: Japanese Home Isles, Korea, Formosa, Southern Half of Sakhalin, the Kurrill Islands, Hainan Dao, Palau, the Marshall Islands, the Caroline Islands and the Mariana Islands
Head of State: Emperor Meiji
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 able bodied males available for service and mobilization.

Armies (self made list):
1st. Army (100000 infantry, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div.)-Korea
2nd. Army (100000 infantry, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div.)-Liaoning
3rd. Army (100000 infantry, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div.)-Formosa/Hainan Dao
4th. Army (100000 Infantry, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div.)-Sakhalin
5th. Army (100000 Infantry, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div.)-Japan (Cav. Div. on Sakhalin)
6th. Army (100000 Infantry, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div)-Korea (SIC. Southern Manchuria)
13th Corps (50000 Infantry, 2 Inf. Div.)-Divided over the Mariana Islands, The Marshall Islands and the Caroline Islands
7th. Army (100000 Infantry, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 cav. Div.)-Korea
8th. Army (100000 Infantry, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div.)-Korea
9th. Army (100000 Infantry, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div.)-Korea
10th. Army Army (100000 Infantry, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div.)-Japan

Reserves
1 Corps (50000, 2 Div.) 2nd. Line Reserves-Activated, in Sakhalin
1st. National Army (100000 men, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div.)-Japan
2nd. National Army (100000 men, 10000 Cavalry, 2 Corps, 4 Inf. Div. 1 Cav. Div.)-Korea

Recruit Resource Pool

These are reserves who had basic infantry/cavalry training and in case of war can be called up, get advanced training and form units to fight in war.

300000 Infantry
30000 Cavalry

The Japanese Army was a Highly Trained Fighting Force, capable of doing extraordinary things. The Infatry was well trained in Modern (trench) warfare and had enough experience in the Russo-Japanese war. Recruits learn how to use all kinds of weapons used in the IJA, theories in Advanced Offensive and Defensive Tactics, Hand-to-Hand Combat, the Art of Camouflage and they continously train to expand their physical abilities.

The Cavalry has had their lessons from the Russo-Japanese war, where they (as a famous British Observer said) "were only fit to cook Rice for the Infantry". Since then the Cavalry has been trained specificly for scouting purposes and to act as Mobile Infantry.

The Artillery was probably the soft spot of the Japanese Army, though it was still a formidablebranch of the army. The Rule was that every Corps had an Independant Artillery Brigade, with some 120 guns (100 light field artillery 85mm, 20 heavy field artillery 100 mm). Each Division also has an Artillery Battery, with 30 85 mm guns. Last but not least is the special Siege Artillery Brigade, with the heavy 210mm guns (40 in total). Austria-Hungary has been approached for the 305mm guns, of which 20 would be bought.

Imperial Japanese Army Air Corps

100 Independant Operating Aircraft, Rumpler Taube (organized in groups of 5)
105 Aeroplanes, Rumpler Taube (5 Per Corps)
60 Aeroplanes, Rumpler Taube (Reserves, for the RRP Armies)
30 Zeppelins (5 Per Army)

Imperial Japanese Army Gaswarfare Regiment

5500 men (in training, ready august 1914)

Imperial Japanese Navy

Dreadnoughts 11
Battle cruisers 10
2nd class Battle cruisers 4
Pre-dreadnought battleships 10
Coast defense ships 4
Armored cruisers 10
Protected cruisers 25
Light cruisers 20
Aircraft and seaplane carriers 4
Destroyers 80
Submarines 35
Patrol Boats 40
Motor Torpedo Boats 70


Fleets

1st. Fleet-Yokohama
2 Dreadnought Battleship
3 Battle Cruiser
3 Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
2 Coast Defense Ships
4 Armored Cruisers
5 Protected Cruisers
5 Light Cruisers
22 Destroyers
10 Submarines
20 Patrol Boats (currently around the Kurril Islands)
20 Motor Torpedo Boats
1 Sea/Airplane Carrier

2nd. Fleet-Sasebo/Currently at Wakanna
7 Dreadnought Battleships
6 Battle Cruiser
2 2nd. Class Battle cruisers
4 Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
1 Coast Defense Ship
4 Armored Cruisers
10 Protected Cruisers
10 Light Cruisers
2 Sea/Airplane carrier
40 Destroyers
15 Submarines
35 Motor Torpedo Boats
10 Patrol Boats (Around Sakhalin)

3rd. Fleet-Taipei
2 Dreadnought Battleship
2 Battle Cruiser
2 2nd. Class Battle cruisers
3 Pre-Dreadnought Battleships
1 Coast Defense Ship
2 Armored Cruisers
8 Protected Cruisers
5 Light Cruisers
1 Airplane/Seaplane Carrier
25 Destroyers
10 Submarines
15 Motor Torpedo Boats
10 Patrol Boats (around the Ryukyu Islands and Formosa)

Imperial Japanese Marine Corps

1st. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Palau
2nd. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Sasebo
3rd. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Yokohama
4th. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Pusan
5th. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Seoul
6th. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Port Arthur
7th. “Cavalry” Regiment-5000 men-Yokohama

Allies:
Great Britain
Argentina
Chile
China
Germany

Weary:
America

Extremely Cautious
none

Neutral/Friendly:
Everyone else

At War
Russia
France

Today His Imperial Majesty has proposed a expansion of the armed forces. All branches will be expanded.

Imperial Japanese Army

Therefor 280000 men will be raised and trained. Of those 280000 men, 30000 will be trained as cavalry, and 250000 as infantry soldiers. The training of these men will be finished in about two years time. This will also mean an increase in the Armies' infrastructure.

Imperial Japanese Navy

Therefor an expansion is proposed as follows:

-2 Dreadnought Battleships
-4 Battlecruisers
-4 Protected Cruisers
-9 Light Cruisers
-20 Destroyers
-5 Submarines
-30 smaller patrol boats (for coastal patrol within the Empire's borders)

The construction of these vessels will take aroun 10 years, maybe more. To deal with the increase of vessels, naval bases and shipyards must be expanded. Also a new branch of the Military is founded.

Imperial Marine Corps

The Corps will consist of 50000 men, divided over 6 infantry and 1 cavalry regiments. These forces will be trained to fight on the border between land and sea and they'll act as guards and garrisons in major ports and coastal fortresses.

1st. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Yokohama
2nd. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Sasebo
3rd. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Taipei
4th. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Pusan
5th. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Seoul
6th. Infantry Regiment-7500 men-Port Arthur
7th. “Cavalry” Regiment-5000 men-Yokohama

All this is for the glory of Japan and it's Divine Son of Heaven, His Imperial Majesty, Ruler of Japan, Korea, Formosa, Sakhalin and everything in between (ooc. :D it rhymes!).

SIC.

Japanese Strategists and Scientists are researching if Planes are usable in Naval and Ground Warfare.

The Empire of Japan and the Republic of Argentina are now allies, bound to aid each other when necessary.

Hereby the Empire of Japan and the Republic of Argentina promise solemnly to help each other in case of:

-A direct attack: the other signatory will provide the victim of the attack with economical, military and political aide.
-An attack made by one of the signatories: the other is not obliged to help the attacker, it is up to the signatory if he'll aid the attacker.
-An ally of a signatory is attacked, thus bringing in one of the signatories: the other signotory of this treaty is not obliged to give direct military support, unless he choses to give direct military help.
-An ally of a signatory is the attacker: the other signatory is not obliged to help in any way, unless he choses to.

A three day national holiday is called, in which the new brotherhood with Argentina is celebrated.

The Empire of Japan and the Republic of Argentina are now allies, bound to aid each other when necessary.

A three day national holiday is called, in which the new brotherhood with Argentina is celebrated.

The United States of America strongly opposes to the formation of this alliance, as it would be excessively entangling the affairs of our two states. Would the Empire of Japan appreciate it much if we declared a formal alliance with China, to preserve our interests there? As much as we would doubt this - and even if you would accept such an alliance - your alliance with Argentina threatens the American order that we have established to avoid foreign interventions, and it gives us pain to think of what catastrophes could occur if Japan become involved in American affairs or if America would become involved in Asian affairs.

Therefore, in the interest of preserving the set order, we implore your Majesty Mutsuhito to revoke this formal alliance between your nation and Argentina. It would all be better for all of us to avoid any serious entanglements on either side of the Pacific.

Philander C. Knox
Secretary of State

The United States of America strongly opposes to the formation of this alliance, as it would be excessively entangling the affairs of our two states. Would the Empire of Japan appreciate it much if we declared a formal alliance with China, to preserve our interests there? As much as we would doubt this - and even if you would accept such an alliance - your alliance with Argentina threatens the American order that we have established to avoid foreign interventions, and it gives us pain to think of what catastrophes could occur if Japan become involved in American affairs or if America would become involved in Asian affairs.

Therefore, in the interest of preserving the set order, we implore your Majesty Mutsuhito to revoke this formal alliance between your nation and Argentina. It would all be better for all of us to avoid any serious entanglements on either side of the Pacific.

Philander C. Knox
Secretary of State

The United States of America need not to worry. We do not station forces inn Argentina, nor do we "colonize" Argentina. We are just helping each other, and if necessary, with military force. And eventhough, you must understand that the treaty is still open to remain neutral in case of war.

Prime Minister Katsura Tago

In Name if His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Meiji, Lord of Japan, Korea, Formosa, Sakhalin etc. etc.

ooc. see the IC thread.

The First four Imperial Marine Corps Regiments have finished their training. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and 7th Regiments are now ready for action. For now they will be stationed in their assigned cities and/or ports (ooc. Yokohama, Sasebo, Taipei).

Military and Civil Engineers have started the construction of the Expanded Korean Railroad System. The entire construction will take 3-5 years to complete in Korea (includes Liaoning). For more details, see map (at the end of post).

The New Education Law has been in use since 1st. of September in the entire Empire. So far results are good but a final judgement can be given when this new generation finishes its educational career.

The construction on the New Battlecruiser Class Kongo has started. Current Specifics are:

Displacement: 36,600 tons
Length: 728 feet 4 inches
Beam: 101 feet 8 inches
Draught: 31 feet 9 inches
Armor: 8 inch Belt, 9 inch turret face, 2.75 inch deck
Propulsion: Oil Burning
Speed: 30 knots
Range: 10,000 nm at 18 kts
Crew: 1360

Armament: Eight 14 inch guns, sixteen 6 inch guns, eight 5 inch DP
A total of Four Ships will be build. Also The hull of a new, still unnamed, Dreadnought Class is being laid. The specifics are as follows:

Displacement: 39,154 tons
Length: 698 ft (213 m)
Beam: 100 ft 5 in (30.61 m)
Draught: 31 ft 9 in (9.68 m)
Armor: 12" belt, 3" deck, 12" bulkhead, 12" turret face, 13.75" conning tower
Propulsion: Oil Burning, 6 Boilers
Speed: 25 knots (46 km/h)
Range: 10000 nm at 18 knots
Crew: 1,400
Armament: 12 × 14 inch (360 mm) guns,
16 × 6 inch (200 mm),
8 × 5 inch (100 mm) DP

A number of smaller ships are well underway.

maps:
Liaoning (http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/291/liaoning7by.jpg)
Korea (http://img230.imageshack.us/img230/9928/railroadmap13wb.jpg)

ooc. I took the specifics of the ships from the Kongo and the Fuso class. They were build between 1910 and 1917, so they're ok according to the timeline.

As for the Railroads, there are probably all kinds of natural obstacles etc. but it's just to give you guys an idea which places are linked etc.

SIC.

All Naval and Army Units are alerted, Japanese Commercial Shipping is advised to leave American ports as soon as possible. Army Training is speeded up, the first 140000 men to be ready february 1911.

War plans in case of war with America are reviewed and if necesary improved.

Per the First of January, 1911, the former German territories of North Papua New Guinea, Samoa, the Mariana's, Caroline's and the German Leasing in China, the Shandong Peninsula, passed into Japanese hands. The Marine Corps Infantry Regiments have occupied the Islands, while the Cavalry regiment occupies New Guinea. (ooc. all former German Asian and Pacific territories)

The 1st. and 2nd. Armies in Korea begin to construct defensive positions along the borders of Korea.

Two more Battlecruisers of the Kongo Class will be constructed.

The new Dreadnought Class will be called the Togo Class after the victor of the battle of Tsushima.

All recruits have been trained and stationed as necessary. After the completion of the Army Expansion, more energy, resources and production methods will be turned to the Naval Expansion, which will be ready within a year.

Tests and Maneuvers have showed the IJN and the IJA that the Aeroplane is a great weapon of war. Planes can primarily be used as scouting devices.

SIC.

The IJA as stated as a goal that each Corps has 5 planes for scouting purposes, with a reserve of 30 more planes. This will be a total of 110 planes. So called Airships, or Zeppelins, can be used as mobile observatory units, with 5 for each army a total of 40 Zeppelins will be purchased or produced.

The IJN has asked for Seaplane Carriers, which will hold 5 to 10 Seaplanes per shop. A total of 3 Ships may be constructed.

Also a plan has been designed in which Zeppelins permanently patrol the major straits of the Empire.

Both the IJA and the IJN have said that they prefere German planes, like the Rumpler-Taube.

All recruits have been trained and stationed as necessary. After the completion of the Army Expansion, more energy, resources and production methods will be turned to the Naval Expansion, which will be ready within a year.

Tests and Maneuvers have showed the IJN and the IJA that the Aeroplane is a great weapon of war. Planes can primarily be used as scouting devices.

SIC.

The IJA as stated as a goal that each Corps has 5 planes for scouting purposes, with a reserve of 30 more planes. This will be a total of 110 planes. So called Airships, or Zeppelins, can be used as mobile observatory units, with 5 for each army a total of 40 Zeppelins will be purchased or produced.

The IJN has asked for Seaplane Carriers, which will hold 5 to 10 Seaplanes per shop. A total of 3 Ships may be constructed.

Also a plan has been designed in which Zeppelins permanently patrol the major straits of the Empire.

Both the IJA and the IJN have said that they prefere German planes, like the Rumpler-Taube.

All the Marine Crops Regiments have finished training by now. The 1st. Reserve Coprs has been moved to occupy the Pacific Islands now controlled by Japan. They replace the IJMC Regiments who've returned to their base, save the 1st. Regiment, which has garrisoned the Palau Archipelago.

The 1st. Reserve Corps will only serve in the Pacific temporarily, as a new force is being trained. 75000 Infantry will be trained to garrison and in case of an attack defend the Pacific Islands.

SIC.

The Contruction of Defensive Infrastructure has started. Also a Naval base will be build on the Palau Islands and Truk.

The 6th Army joins the 1st. Army and 2nd. Armies in the Defense Line along the Korean border. The Defensive Line now consists of one reinforced concrete bunker with three machineguns every 200 meters and in between earthen trenches, which are covered with wooden structures to protect the defenders from shrapnel. In the trenches also four other machinegun positions are made. In time everything will be made of reinforced concrete.

An increase of the arms and ammunition production is ordered. Everything from heavy 14" Naval Shells to Sidearm ammunition is being produced in higher quantaties now.

With the purchase of the designs of the Rumpler Taube, a total of four factories to build the planes (and possible succesors). One factory was build in Korea, the other Three in Japan itself. With the building taking place in all haste, the first planes should be ready inn a few months.

The Recruit Resource Pool (RRP) has finished it's entire training. Also the naval expansion has finished, save the carriers. Two old German Battleships will be stripped of their guns (which can be used on other ships) and above deck constructions. The entire deck will be flattened and lengthened to create space for launching aircraft.

The Second Stage of Naval Expansion will start immediately:

-6 Dreadnoughts
-4 Battlecruisers
-4 Armored Cruisers
-5 Light Cruisers
-30 Destroyers
-50 MTB (Motor Torpedo Boats)
-30 Patrol Craft
-23 Submarines

SIC.

To train the Chinese Army, 10000 officers and experienced men are sent to China. They will learn the core of the Chinese Army how to fight a modern war.

The Island Garrison Corps has Finished Training. They will replace the 1st. Reserve Corps.

SIC.

The Finishing Touches of Operation Red Dragon have been made and a copy is forwarded to the Chinese Emperor. Preperations start immediatly, with a further increase of arms and ammunitons production and a speeding up of the Naval Building Program. Details of the Plans concernig the Officers have been sent to those officers for studying. Any lapse in security will result in immesiate punishment.

Elections to be Held the Comming Year!

In July 1912, Electiosnw ill be held for the Diet, or Japanese Parliament. Several parties, have elected their candidates for the Diet and as Prime Minister of the Japanese Empire.

Military: Admiral Yamamoto Gonnohyoe
Non Aligned: Marquess Katsura Taro Ruling Prime Minister
Constitutional Nationalist: Okuma Shigenobu
Communist Party: Namba Daisuke

Results of the Japanese Elections!

Military: 38.6%
Non Aligned: 31.4%
Constitutional Nationalist: 28.3%
Communist: 1.7%

Admiral Yamato Gonnohyoe will form a cabinet and present it in 14 days.

ooc. This will probably a more agressive course in politics, both domestic and foreign.

A large part of the new Naval Program has been finished, and the three carriers of the previous naval Program are finished as well. Only Four Dreadnoughts and seveal smaller ships are to be completed.

The Airforce will be expanded with 100 more aircraft, who will operate indepandantly from the Army Air Corps.

The Recruit Resource Pool will be lessened with 100000 Infantry and 10000 Cavalry who will form the 7th. Army. Replacements will be trained.

SIC.

The 6th. Army will move into Manchuria. They will train together with the Chinese to optimize the coordination between the two nations.

SIC. Tests are being made with Rumpler Taubes dropping handgrenades manually. So far it's proved to be not very effective. Preparations are made for small bomblets to be installed under the plane or packages which will (again) be dropped manually.

Urgent! Urgent! Urgent!

Total Mobilization of all active forces, 1st Fleet moves North to join with the 2nd. Fleet which has left Wakkana, 3rd Fleet leaves Port (Taipei) to sea.

Total Mobilization has been recalled, Fleets return to ports.

All Railroads in the Korean Provinces have been finished. The Gran Opening is scheduled for November 1st. From that date a regular service will be set up between all the major cities and ports. The Military will also make use of the Railroads, to bring supplies and new recruits to the garrisons.

SIC.

The Research in the Field of "Gas Warfare" has advanced steadily, scientists have concluded that Tear Gas (non-lethal), Chlorine and Phosgene (Lethal) can be used with the greatest effect. Proposed Delivery Systems are Shells, Canisters with vents and tubes which will be laid to the enemy positions.

Once again the units in the Recruit Resource Pool get called up, 300000 Infantry and 30000 Cavalry. They will get their advanced training immdeiately, which should be finished Mid-February. The Remaining Forces in the RRP get a shortnened Advanced Training of two weeks. This means that they'll need less training if their called up.

SIC.

A new Branch of the Armed Forces will be created. It'll consist of Engineers, Scientists and Regular Soldiers. Their specific duty will be conducting, researching and defending against Gaswarfare. Some 5500 men will be drafted into the GWR (Gaswarfare Regiment). Their training will take six months, and they'll be ready for action in August 1914.

The 1st. Reserve Corps has been activatd and will receive a Rushed Training in Winter Warfare. They will be sent to Sakhalin together with a Cavalry Division of the 5th. Army.

SIC.

The 8th. and 9th. Armies will be transported to Korea, arriving their fully mid-March. The 6th. Army moves north towards Northern Manchuria, joining the Chinese Forces in that region (official statement: training purposes in harsh winter conditions ;) ). The 1st. and 2nd. Navies leave port and join near the Southern Tip of Sakhalin, just outside the frozen up Sea of Okhotsk (ooc. like every year the friggin sea freezes over). Patrol continue along the Kurill Islands and Sakhalin, as long as the Ice Shelves don't block the way. The 3rd. Navy leaves Taipei and heads for Hainan Dao. Rationing is installed for all pertols, coal and foodstuffs, but sofar it doesn't affect the avarage Joe much.

A third round of Naval Expansion is announced:
-4 Dreadnoughts of the Togo Class
-4 Battle Cruisers of the Kongo Class
-10 Destroyers
-20 Submarines

Research is done in extended range for Submarines and new ways of underwater propulsion. Also new Dreadnought and Battle Cruiser Classes will be designed.

All French, Serbian and Russian possesions the the Japanese Empire is seized and (if useable) used for war efforts. All Japanese Citizens are adviced to leave Mainland Europe, and to stay clear of any French Foreign Possesion.