Interlude - Enlightened Peace (Part 1)
Kiyoshi leaned out of the window smoking a cigarette. The cool spring breeze rustled his hair, blowing the smoke away towards the Inland Sea. He could still make out the black outline of a Mogami-class cruiser before it disappeared into the fog. Silently chuckling to himself, he asked the gods to look after the poor sods locked in that steel can. Lost in his bemusement he barely even noticed the hand on his shoulder. Slightly turning his head he saw Sachiko, with her long flowing black hair, wearing little else but his navy blue coat. "Sorry did I wake you?" he quietly asked.
"No, I couldn't sleep anyway. After you fell asleep I spent the whole night watching you. I couldn't believe that it's really happening and you're back for real this time." she replied.
"I am, I am. If last night didn't convince you I don't think a pinch will," he said slightly pinching her thigh.
"Owie… Kiyoshi," she said slightly pouting "I'm going back to bed if you're gonna be mean."
He looked at the girl from next door, or rather his wife, get into the futon and put out his cigarette.
"I think I'll join you, I'm done with chasing ghosts of the past anyhow."
Poster by the Ministry of the Interior reminding
people to vote on the 20th of February 1936
Whilst the Japan of 1936 may have looked like a stable state, for the outside observer, reality was anything but that. The instability of the modern world had left many ambivalent, if not openly hostile towards parliamentary rule, that had swept the land after the Constitutional Restoration of 1926. Whilst the reforms had enlarged suffrage to all men 25 and over, many still felt cheated and excluded. Whilst the revolutionary sentiment of the Taishō era had been tempered, they had not been smothered. Beginning with the 1927 economic crash, commonly referred to as the Shōwa crash, socioeconomic issues continued to pile on. Whilst Japanese control over Manchuria and the Transamur Republic managed to alleviate the issues faced by industrial workers, farmers and other rural people still remain gripped by poverty.
Result of the elections on the 20th of February 1936
Osaka Mainichi Shinbun describing the 5-15 Incident
Major Generals Nagata(Centralist) and Obata(Restorationist) were bitter rivals as well as brilliant strategists,
their struggle for recognition was however the norm within the Imperial Army
After the reform Japanese doctrine emphasized speed as well as the importance of armoured warfare
Protests against the militarization of politics, late January of 1937
Songs like Democracy could be often heard echoing the spirit of the Taishō era
Splitting the vote by new voters often aided Seiyūkai more than their enemies
Called Righteous Armies, these Korean irregular forces would often engage in uprisings against the Empire of Japan
I think, that China will focus on economic development and wait for good opportunity before attacking Quing.
However, it might support some partisan/revolutionary groups inside of the Quing 'Empire'.
It probably will, the AI isn't usually that suicidal.
I really cannot make up my mind if this is a good or bad development
I'd say it is both to a degree. Whilst banditry will still continue to plague the region they can now directly deal with it rather than react to bandits crossing the borders. Additionally they've gained access to more resources as well as the, although small, industrial base in Yunnan. Whilst this did come at the price of a bigger front line with the Japanese sphere, should they look to continue with Unification.
Now to get at what most of you have been waiting for - Japan.
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