In 1875, Japan’s industrial technology improved considerably, with the development of an artillery and ammunition industry, and a synthetic fertilizer industry, which also had implications for military explosives (which could feed the ammunition supply chain).
The next subject of interest for Japan was Malthusian Thought – this would improve the Japanese educational systems, as well as improving colonial migration to Korea.
In March and April of 1875, the Russians seized another 3 Japanese whaling vessels, this time off the Kuril Islands. This was getting to be too much to ignore. But Japan still did not feel like she was ready to take on Russia again. There was much more research to be done, and Japan still had to recover from her devastating war with China.
After Malthusian Thought was achieved, in late 1875, Japanese attention turned to the science of Medicine – while the old methods of eastern medicine worked fine for some things, it was apparent that western methods had promise beyond what could be achieved, in some areas. Western surgery, for instance, and certain forms of battlefield treatment.
It was during this time that the incredible news came to Japan that her near-ally, the United States, was proposing to build a channel of water between the Mediterranean Sea and the Red Sea, causing it to open up to the Indian Ocean! This set scientists to gabbling about what disasters might befall the world if these two bodies of water were connected, but wiser heads conceived of the good that could come from it. In December, the US declared war upon Egypt, intending to seize the land necessary for building this canal. Japanese observers nodded in approval.
In 1876, the Ottoman Empire eventually gave up on achieving her war aims against Spain. But not because of any initiative by Spain. With France leading the war against her, and with the later interventions of the Netherlands and Russia, there was no hope of winning the widened war.
In 1876, Japanese doctors came up with an impressive array of improvements in the medical field, taking many leads from western medicine. This would help Japan to avoid the attrition that had long dogged her larger armies on campaign. Japan began to examine large machinery, such as was used in the publishing industry. This could lead to future developments that would aid in factory production.
During 1876, Japan briefly climbed to become what was considered the “11th ranked” nation of the world. It was believed this was less to any particular improvement within Japan, or her economy or industry, but rather to the lessened military size of some of the powers which had, of late, been at war.
Nevertheless, Japanese industry was booming, and was now ranked as the 14th largest industrial economy in the world. The humble factories, which at one time had only produced liquor and clothing (and glass, to support the liquor industry), now had added a steamship production industry, an armaments industry, and various other support industries such as fabric and cement. Steel was also being produced in two provinces.
At the same time, Artisans still produced much of what was needed in Japan, including almost all of her clothing, and even large portions of many of the other industries. Japan’s was not yet a truly industrialized economy. This would have to be improved upon, over time.
In 1877 the first of the forts, meant to guard the Korean frontier with China, were put into service. Other forts were built in Hokkaido, to guard against Russian incursions.
Also that year, Japanese doctors discovered a means to ward against the dread disease Malaria, which would allow more access to some of these Pacific islands. Military scientists began pursuing machine guns – something which would hopefully set Japan on equal ground with Russia on the battlefield.
At the very least, machine guns would give Japan a tremendous advantage against China in any future wars. It was believed that they might be developed by the summer of 1879, two years away. Other achievements were made in medical science which would reduce the attrition suffered by their armies. Yet more such achievements would improve Japan’s population growth.
During the year 1877, Britain again fought a quick war with China, which was resolved within the year, and which gave the United Kingdom control over Guangxi, in the Chinese south. This was a tremendous development. It was hoped that it would weaken China so that she would not try to pick a fight with Japan again. But some Japanese were worried about the implications of continued British aggression in the region, which might soon put them in the South China Sea. Could they become yet another European rival?
During 1877, Japan again climbed in reputation, with many observers believing Japan was then superior (11th place) to Spain. For Japan to be considered more “advanced” or “powerful” than a major European country with as much history as Spain was a supreme honor. It helped, later that year, when a botanical expedition made findings which increased Japan’s regard worldwide (prestige up to 94).
The French declared war in 1878 against Dai Nam, intending to conquer the rest of that country. The Americans successfully defeated Mamluk Egypt during that year, and they acquired the Sinai Peninsula, which also contained the critical land which was to be used for passage between the seas. It remained to be seen how long it would take to build this Suez Canal. In any case, Japan now begun constructing steam transports for her troop movements, which meant Japan might well benefit from this channel between the seas.
Soon after finishing their war with Egypt, the Americans declared war upon their neighbor, Mexico.
The once-great threat of Korean nationalism had waned. But Jacobins still posed a danger, and they made their move in January, 1879. Armies immediately moved to act against these insane bullies.
During the late 1870s, Japanese military strategists had begun to plan how Japan’s future might best be secured. The occasion of provocation when Russia was seizing Japanese whalers had been allowed to pass unremarked. But other opportunities would come, and it was decided that once the first units were armed with machine guns, in August of 1879, that might be a good time to test Japan’s mettle against Russia again.
However, events would set these plans awry. The 5-year anniversary of Japan’s truce with China passed, and contrary to all hopes, the Chinese moved against Korea again.
A full 6 months remained before Japan would have access to what might be the lifesaving technology of the machine gun. The question was whether Japan’s improved military, with better guards against attrition, better reinforcement and morale, and better military tactics than 5 years prior, might stand up against China’s immense armies this time.
Would the Chinese overwhelm Japan again, forcing another white peace after endless bloodshed? Or would Japan be able to seize parts of China for its own imperial purposes?
And... on the subject of Brunei, here and elsewhere, I've had a tendency to ignore the "obvious" and "smart" things to do in favor of what seems logical from the perspective I'm role-playing. And while Brunei would certainly be smart, and don't think it's not occurred to certain Japanese leaders, but it's not on the immediate radar screen. Priorities are elsewhere.
