@ncscswitch:
To get THAT much Japan hardware in range of the US for J2 would mandate that Japan was effectively going KUSA, with commensurate loss of income in Asia.
Not really.
7 Infantry, 2 Fighters attack China with the two fighters coming from Manchuria and FIC. These fighters can land in Japan.
3 Fighters, Battleship, Carrier, Destroyer, Submarine, Bomber attack SZ 52
Fighter, Infantry, Armor attack Hawaii
2 Fighters from the SZ 52 battle can land in SZ 45 on the carrier and battleship from SZ 37
now, without building a darn thing you already have:
2 Battleships
2 Carriers
6 Fighters
1 Transport
1 Destroyer
1 Submarine* (If it was not lost)
vs
1 Battleship
1 Transport
1 Destroyer
3 Fighters (Assumes the fighter was lost in Hawaii)
2 Aircraft Carriers
I did not give up anything in Asia, but I did station everything in range of America. The transport in SZ 52 can easily pick up units in Solomons to attack Australia with two bombardments if I don’t need them.
Or, don’t attack Hawaii and add 1 fighter to the defensive forces, but don’t risk losing your infantry and armor in the process.
Odds:
Attacker: 2 Battleships, 2 Carriers, Transport, Submarine, Destroyer, 6 Fighters (2 Fighters in SZ 52 can attack and land back on Wake), Bomber (assumed stationed at Wake where it can again land)
Defender: Battleship, 2 Carriers, Transport, Destroyer, 4 Fighters
(note, this does not take into account any builds for Japan that may or may not be in range of SZ 55.)
I have the Japanese winning over 99% of the time with losses of transport, submarine, 2 fighters. I believe that is a rather good trading position for Japan.