So, how will Japan be broken for the first month of 1.12 (if at all)?

[Wizzington]

I played a 200 year Ouichi campaign on the final build without major issues, so Japan's probably gonna be just fine.

 

[neondt]

Diplo-annex is much more expensive now. But that's not the end of the world. As Japan it's easier to just abuse Enforce Peace to annex the Daimyos in a strategic order.

 

[neondt]

Is Japan buffed for keeping vassals happy in any way? Based on the mechanics that are mentioned, it seems that Japan will have an extremely hard time annexing those vassals.

Of course, perhaps that is the intent. Create an unstable area where everyone is vying for control. If so, it's a unique and interesting dynamic for Japan.

Not necessarily a bad thing, since it's trivially easy right now to unite Japan by 1500-ish.

 

[Wizzington]

I'll change united Japan to be an Empire but still with the Shogun ruler title (if monarchy).

 

[neondt]

Just played a quick game as Japan as a farewell to patch 1.11. Unified* by 1460. Yeah, I think Japan can stand to take the hit to diplo-annex.

* By unified I mean, used the decision to unite Japan that requires that no Daimyos exist.

What is the current government form of japan in 1.12 ? Is the shogunate with lots of dip relations still a thing ? Can we change our government form once japan is united ?

Yes, Japan begins as a Shogunate with the dip relations bonus. The decisions to unify Japan change it to a feudal monarchy.