Japan

[unmerged(23633)]

Hello

Until yet i had fun with france and germany i want to change and this evening i will try japan

usualy i try to begin as in reality so i inted to surprise the us fleet with carrier around 7 12 1941 after 7 12 1941 i will not follow the history

so knowing that japan is a maritime power what should i research what should be my first objectives after 7 12 1941

any advice is welcome
also any advice in game term is welcome number of torpedo plane to use to carry out a successfull harbor strike and so on

 

[Ilkhold]

I never got round to like Japan in Vanilla HoI. But it is very interesting in CORE.

 

[mesut]

Hi,

I have played with Japan a lot, actually more than Germany. For Japan it is crucial to concentrate it's limited ressources and IC's and to utilize the enemies weeknesses.

First, try to defeat the both Chinas as fast as possible (before a war with the US or the Empire) and develop the ICs and defenses according your global strategy (will you help Germany against the SU in the long run?). Use the Vichy and Siam events and than strike the Phillipines, Guam, and Dutch-Indonesia. This has to be done fast and with overwhelming forces to avoid a too much spread frontline, when the Empire and the US forces get more active.

Develop your infantry and naval doctrines, and technologies. Build some Naval and Tac bombers to support your fleet operations. In my games I usally establish a blockade of key sea-provinces to keep off the Allied fleets from attacking my supply lines. This is very important. You should use subs/planes on frontline islands to scout enemy positions and then attack with superior forces. Don't forget to regularly repair your fleet (just leave them in a supplied port, they will repair automatically after a while). I found paratroopers to be very effective in the pacific theatre (because short reaction time), however they' are quite expensive.

Another question with Japan is whether to build motorized/armoured divisions or not. I usually build some to be ready for a war against the SU or against the Empire in India. However, there are many voices on this forum, that say it is a waste of time and ressources.

Finally, I found it very helpful for the Axis matter to share technology with Germany regularly. This increases their chances to hold off the Russian bear a lot.

I hope this was useful.
Regards
Mesut

 

[J.J.E.]

Also remember to build some AA-guns for "mainland" Japan and keep some fighters there. The Americans simply love to bomb Japan and this can actually become a real problem for your IC output.

 

[unmerged(23255)]

I've found Japan to be an interesting change of pace for me. When I get tired of Euro-warring it seems like a different game almost. Mistakes I used to make were neglecting army for navy, but really China MUST be dealt with as fast as poss., so dont worry about naval tech at first, upgrade inf and some Tac makes China alot easier and faster. After your done there you can worry about upgrading navy. 6-8 Tac goes a long way in China, as they cant really defend with good fighters.


Mesut has some real good ideas.


edited by gzav - Please read the Double posts sticky.

 

[unmerged(26982)]

My advice is to not attack China. Build up defenses in mountainous Korea, AA and fighters in Japan propers, and naval bombers and a good navy. If you like, attack Siam. Then just grab for as many of the colonial holdings as possible. I usually seize Malaysia, Singapore and the Dutch East Indies and then work from there. Organize your navy into Task Forces and use naval bombers.

 

[unmerged(23946)]

Build up a large army and airfoce full of tac bombers and conquer the Chinas as fast as you can. You should be able to accomplish this by 41 at the latest on VH/F. Once China is your's you have two options, fight the Soviets and take over India, or defend the Indian and Soviet borders while going for the U.S. I find that fighting the Soviets and Brits is the best strategy because Germany needs all the help it can get. In my first 1.06 game as Japan, I got pushed back halfway through China by the hundreds of Soviet divisions (thats right they sent over a hundred at me because I didn't garrison my border) and over 40 commonwealth divisions in India. I thought I was done for, but with 100 divisions in the east, Germany took Moscow by 42 and Italy never lost Africa. In all my games, it seems that if I don't fight the Soviets, Germany will fall 90% of the time and once Germany falls, your pretty much done for.

 

[danoh]

My advice is to not attack China. .

Uhh no. Take China, both Chinas. Use resources to get a 12 stack of naval bombers. With that and the navy you are secure. Build forts along Russsian border and continue to expand south and west into India. Max inf. and arty tech and arty brigade lots of new builds. Japan needs mountain boys more than any other country. Ally with Germany when you are ready to DoW Russia. Russian wil fall to you and/or Germany and then you can start thinking about Los Angeles.

 

[Svend Karlson]

I am playing as Japan on VH/F using Core "I'm a Pro". This is what I have done:

Early 36' Became Facist in the 2-2-6 Incident
Early 36' DoW Siam (for the rubber and the 2nd front against China)
Mid 36' Annex Siam
Mid 36' DoW China
Early 38' DoW Iraq (for the oil - resources are declining against IC)
Late 38' Annex Iraq
Late 38' Annex Nationalist China
Late 38' DoW Communist China
Early 39' Puppet Sianking (Don't want to defend their borders, and their resources are handy)
Mid 39' Puppet Communist China (Nice resource surplus)
Mid 39' DoW Egypt (primarily so I can take Suez when/if I join Axis)
Late 39' Annex Egypt
Early 40' Join Axis
Early 40' Occupy all of France territory in Far East, begin push into India & prepare for seizure of Dutch colonies

 

[Heretic]

yep, japanese infantry is the way to go..

most of you fighting is either in mountains or in jungles, and sometimes, it seems, in both..

so you need your specialists like moontain troops, also marines (just looks good, really, although they do have a little jungle advantage)

Japan is really enjoyable, since AFTER china you have a good choice of where to go. I am a big fan of annexing Australia and NZ. SIngapore & the malay peninsula is a must,, your rubber worries will be over then..,



Heretic

 

[unmerged(20798)]

Yep, japan is a top country to learn from. Play it w/out the F12 cheat.
First thing to do (in CORE at least) is check your convoys and delete the dumb-ass deals on the world market. You can limp along for a bit on your own resources but invading China and going Fascist through the 2-2-6 thing is a must.