Stories and News from the Empire of Japan

[Desertfox]

(using OTL place names for clarity)

Sometime before 1 January 1912

Admiral Togo looked across the table at his counterparts in the National Security Council and pondered on the implications of his decision, it all came down to his vote. Was the time right for the Japanese Empire to be reborn?

His mind drifted back nearly 20 years to the Battle of the Yalu River and the nearly catastrophic Sino-Japanese War*.  As commander of the cruiser Ninawa, Togo had been instrumental in pulling the Japanese fleet out of certain defeat. Admiral Kozo had formulated and lead a daring plan against the Chinese fleet, but the two invulnerable and powerful Chinese battleships had slowly turned the tide. When Admiral Kozo was gravely injured, it fell on Togo and the Ninawa to launch a daring counterattack, that succeeded in covering the retreat of the Japanese fleet. The Japanese army in Korea was not as lucky and with them fell any hope for a foothold on the Asian mainland.

The war had been costly, and it blunted any plans for expansion for almost two decades. At least the heroic if ineffective actions of the Imperial Japanese Navy placed them first in line for any money, and under Togo's supervision the IJN had been greatly strengthened and modernized with a fleet of pre-dreadnoughts and armored cruisers.

The sudden expansion of foreign nations, especially the Parthian Empire, into the Pacific had caught everyone in Japan by surprise. While both China and Japan had sent exploratory expeditions to the Americas and the East Indies, neither had considered colonizing them. But others had and now there was a decision to be made. Had the last 15 years been enough time to rebuild the Army and strengthen the Navy into a force capable of challenging these foreign powers? Could Japan afford to not expand? There were only so many resources on the home islands and the population was expanding exponentially.

The time was likely not optimal but in life your work with the hand you are dealt. Japan could no longer afford to sit on the sidelines and the Asian continent was no longer an option. They would make do with what they had. As everyone watched Admiral Togo stood up.

"The men and ships have their orders, they shall sail with the rising sun." The time had come for the banner of the rising sun to grace the ring of fire...

*Not quite the OTL outcome. China is not crippled and weakened by fighting the Europeans in this timeline.

[Desertfox]

(using OTL place names for clarity)

Imperial Japanese Navy, War Room, Sometime before 1 January 1912

"Admiral Sotaro, you will be escorting the 51st Brigade to [Seattle], you will have the Azuma and Yakumo and two Chihayas with you. After [Seattle] is secured, Chihaya under Captain Tatsuo will scout south along the coast as far as [San Diego]. You will be relieved by Admiral Kanji with Tsukuba, Ikoma, Agano, and Noshiro in June. Kanji will be escorting the 42nd Brigade as reinforcements. We don't expect any confrontations but there are reports of a strong Parthian presence in [California] so be aware. In the off chance of Parthian troops in the [Seattle] area turn north and find a suitable anchorage.

Intelligence has picked up reports of a major Chinese expedition, however, we do not know what their intentions currently are. The [Philippines] are the most likely target so Admiral Saneyuki, you will take the 1st Heavy Cruiser Division and the 1st Scouting Division, your job is to screen the [Philippines] invasion force and prevent any Chinese interference. Admiral Tokioki will lead the invasion force with the 3rd Battleship Division, 3rd Cruiser Division, 2nd Scouting Division, and two minelayers. General Kamashiro will lead the ground forces composed of the 13th, 17th, 23rd, and 31st Brigades.

The [Davao] and [Jakarta] groups will sail with Tokioki's main force until [Manila] and split up from there. Each group will have half of the 2nd Heavy Cruiser Division as escorts. We do not expect any resistance at either location, but be aware that there is a likelihood of foreign activity. The Parthians, Iberians, and Byzantines have all been active there. Both of you will have alternative locations provided in case of foreign activity."     

[Desertfox]

Summary of H1/1912 News from Japan (some will be expanded later)

***

Diplomatic expedition to Vilnius Union acquires aircraft and submarine technologies.

***

Diplomatic expedition to Incan Empire, establishes relations and begins discussions on future technology deals.

***

Scout cruiser sails from Seattle down the coast to San Diego.

Stops in San Fransisco, meets with Parthians, nothing major to report.

Stops in San Diego, meets with Aztec, plans for further diplomatic meetings.

***

Japan learns about Chinese invasion of Okinawa mid-April.

Presents China with offer and ultimatum May 1st (1 month to remove military presence or else blockade to be instituted, think Cuban Missile Crisis).

Begins preparations for war.

Somewhere near the end of major newspapers worldwide, in small font, will be some propaganda about the naked aggression of the Chinese against the poor Ryukyu Kingdom.

***

Preparations begin for next phase of expansion.

Two new Agano class cruisers sail for the Pacific Northwest with reinforcements and a diplomatic mission to the Aztec.

Four Chikuma class cruisers escort the amphibious units headed towards Makkassar and Surabaya. 

The heavily reinforced Sasebo-based fleet sails towards Jeju Island.

[The Rock Doctor]

*Checks to see if popcorn has been invented by 1912*

Edit:  Excellent.

[snip]

Ah, are we about to see a Splendid Little War?

[Desertfox]

I don't know about splendid, and I don't know about little, but definitely stock up on the popcorn.

There's two decent size fleets right across of each other in the Tsushima Strait...

[Desertfox]

H2/1912 News

First news article on recent battles (not that many would care about a neighborly squabble in the Far East):

Treachery! A small Japanese fleet conducting a routine peacetime patrol in international waters was viciously attacked on the morning of July 3rd by a combined force of Chinese armored cruisers and torpedo boats near Jeju Island. The valiant Japanese sailors successfully repealed the assault sending 14 torpedo boats and 2 cruisers to a watery grave, only suffering the loss of 1 torpedo boat and 1 cruiser damaged in exchange. In the confusion of battle a group of Chinese torpedo boats successfully attacked and sank 2 Chinese transports docked at Jeju. Let the people of the Pacific know that the Imperial Japanese Navy is ready and willing to help everyone repeal the evil intentions of the Empire of China. 

[Kaiser Kirk]

This is humorous.
Nice propaganda effort.

I wonder at the wording that has the attacking Chinese being the ones with transports tied to a wharf and sunk.

Consider the Foreign Legations in Beijing who get told first of the Ultimatums, then got told that morning by the Chinese that they were attacked,  and then a day or two later hear the Japanese version.

[Desertfox]

To be fair the only ones that truly know what happened that night are the Japanese TBs. The Chinese TBs did have orders to conduct a night attack, a "friendly fire" or "false flag" operation is entirely within the realm of possibilities. 

***

Additional news article:

Cowardly! The Chinese followed their treacherous attack on the Japanese by sending out its massive battleships to murderously attack unarmed civilian merchants in international waters. The cowardly Chinese then proceeded to flee the scene of the crime, leaving poor sailors to drown. Fortunately the Japanese Navy was at hand to save those sailors and to send the Chinese fleeing with their tails between their legs all the way to Shanghai. 


***


War Room, after the Battle of Jeju

The mood in the room was somber, the memories of the defeat in 1895 was still fresh in the minds of most of the men there. Admiral Togo knew he had to wipe away any hint of defeatism among the men.

"Yes, we have suffered a setback, yes the losses have been greater than expected, and yes the Chinese fleet managed to escape. But we still succeeded in two key areas and we still have the initiative. First we prevented the takeover of Jeju Island, we still have the forces to take over the island. Second, we forced the powerful Chinese Northern Fleet and their torpedo squadrons out of Busan and into Shanghai. Finally, the Combined Fleet is intact and ready for battle."

"But how can we defeat them in Shanghai? Our torpedo boats can't safely attack them there."

"They Chinese got the better of us because they had the inside track, but now they have given that up, now we control the seas around Jeju, and if they want that island they will have to come to us. We will use the enemy's own plan against them, and remember the Chinese behaved exactly as we had anticipated. If the Jeju Fleet had not approached so early and the Tsushima scouts been in position earlier, the Chinese fleet would have been trapped as planned."

The mood around the room was changing as a murmur of conversations picked up, along with some heated arguments.

"I'm telling you, had my wireless been delivered to Tsushima in time, instead of sent to some forsaken barbarians out in some jungles across the sea, we could have provided warning of the sailing of the fleet from Busan."

"Captain, I appreciate your concern and you are right, having a wireless in Tsushima is critical to controlling the straits. But do not overlook the long-term strategic goals for short-term tactical considerations. Our colonies and allies abroad are crucial to obtain the resources we need and they will come first. Fear not, a wireless set has already been dispatched to your post together with additional men. As for the rest of you, this is the plan..."

[Kaiser Kirk]

To be fair the only ones that truly know what happened that night are the Japanese TBs. The Chinese TBs did have orders to conduct a night attack, a "friendly fire" or "false flag" operation is entirely within the realm of possibilities. 

***

Actually, the armored cruiser that survived the attack has a pretty clear idea of what happened.  As do the people on shore. And the crews unloading those freighters. And the Chinese TBs that only attacked a fleet target they could see.  The lone AC sitting there as a target with the torpedo nets out was designed to prove Japan the aggressor. They just didn't expect a lucky hit in the small area not covered by the nets.

[Desertfox]

Well they know they got attacked, and most likely by the Japanese, but it could have easily been Chinese "false flag" TBs or rogue elements. The Chinese have plenty of proof of them attacking Japanese transport ships heading away from Chinese territory but no actual evidence of the Japanese actually attacking them. The one Japanese TB lost blew up, so no survivors to confirm.

[Kaiser Kirk]

Well they know they got attacked, and most likely by the Japanese, but it could have easily been Chinese "false flag" TBs or rogue elements. The Chinese have plenty of proof of them attacking Japanese transport ships heading away from Chinese territory but no actual evidence of the Japanese actually attacking them. The one Japanese TB lost blew up, so no survivors to confirm.

The fun of it is Japan can spin this how they want. They probably have some trouble getting their view "out" of the country.  The film and pictures and the ability of the Chinese to get their version out early and easier will make it interesting how the international community views this -which will effect how they tolerate the distant blockade.  The sheer volume of historic trade with China probably weighs in their favor, but all of that is really up to the player base.

Gaming the NPC, I would not feel 'right' about heavy propaganda or outright deceit meant to make a player nation look bad, that's the job for an actual player- so China is sticking to simple facts

[Desertfox]

The film and pictures and the ability of the Chinese to get their version out early and easier will make it interesting how the international community views this -which will effect how they tolerate the distant blockade.  The sheer volume of historic trade with China probably weighs in their favor, but all of that is really up to the player base.

Japan has made zero effort to affect trade (and will make it known to anyone who wants to know) and I doubt there is much international trade with the Ryukyus. Now China can stop trading from Shanghai, but the Japanese will not be making any efforts towards that.

[Desertfox]

Sometime in August

Crushing victory! Of a small fishing village called Seogwipo the Combined Fleet of the Imperial Japanese Navy faced off against no less than 5 major divisions of the Chinese Navy. The Chinese would go on to launch four major assaults with over 200 torpedo boats and destroyers, the Combined Fleet successfully repealed the attacks completely annihilating two groups of around 100 torpedo boats and mauling a third. The fourth group seeing the destruction decided discretion was the better part of valor and retreated before facing the guns of the fleet. The Chinese fleet arrived to find the ten Japanese battleships proudly arrayed in battle formation without a scratch among them. With the Japanese holding the high ground and the formidable might of the Combine Fleet arrayed against them the Chinese commanders decided to to purse a less belligerent path. The threat of European powers interfering in Asian affairs, the economic impacts of a continued war, and the desire to prevent further loss of life led to peace talks and a swift conclusion to the conflict.

OOC Foreign observers in Tokyo will note the arrival of all eight battleships of the IJN with no visible battle damage. The IJN will confirm the loss of one armored cruiser and damage to a second from the battle. The rest are "out on deployment" to the colonies.   

[Kaiser Kirk]

Sometime in August


OOC Foreign observers in Tokyo will note the arrival of all eight battleships of the IJN with no visible battle damage. The IJN will confirm the loss of one armored cruiser and damage to a second from the battle. The rest are "out on deployment" to the colonies.   

OOC :
So, how do they hide the lists on Katori and [/i]Shikishima[/i], both of which were torpedoed amidships and took serious damage?

The Parthians will have to compare the two sets of information and decide which is more likely.

And I'm curious to see how or if the Japanese eventually see the pictures the Chinese took of the two grounded vessels Fuji and Asama.
And while Ikoma and Tsubuka made it to ground at Seagiwipo, they would have been there for a while, and China/Guinness may well take/publish pictures of those as well.   
Not to mention how officialdom keeps any word from leaking from the thousands of sailors there, or the merchants returning from abroad with the Chinese version.

It's a fun read though.