Unciv can't declare war on neighbour

[Pompey MCCXCVII]

I'm playing as Japan, and I took the option that would make me a dutch satellite, and promptly declared war on the dutch to gain my freedom. In the peace settlement, I humiliated them and took a city in indonesia that shared a land border with them, but 5 years later I'm unable to declare war on them again because it says they're not my neighbour.

I assumed I would have to border a state, so I started over and this time took a European city (Leeuwarden) but once again, 5 years later I can't declare war on them.

Any thoughts? I was relying on a 2nd war with them to provide me with the prestige to civilize.

 

[Orm]

Welcome to the Vicky forum!

I've never looked into it thoroughly, but it's possible that the requirement to be a neighbour is that you have a land connection from your capital to them.

That said, the painless way for Japan to civilize is via the Meiji restoration event chain:http://www.paradoxian.org/vickywiki/index.php/Japan#Meiji_Restoration

 

[Pompey MCCXCVII]

It turns out, upon loading my game up again, the problem was gone and I was able to declare war. One for the record books I guess.

As for the meiji restoration, I know its much easier, but I think I'll be able to civilize a few years before 1860 with all kinds of free techs to show for my trouble. Only Mil left, which is admittedly much harder than I thought it would be with nothing but natives.

 

[Orm]

It turns out, upon loading my game up again, the problem was gone and I was able to declare war. One for the record books I guess.

As for the meiji restoration, I know its much easier, but I think I'll be able to civilize a few years before 1860 with all kinds of free techs to show for my trouble. Only Mil left, which is admittedly much harder than I thought it would be with nothing but natives.

Yes, that is the tricky bit.