This is the best strategy possible:
Japanese strategy for 1941:
Builds: 2 transport, 1 Infantry-
If using technology, then 1 transport and 1 tank and 1 technology.
Attack SZ #56 (1 DD 1 TR) with 2 fighters
Attack Hawaii SZ (1 BB) with 2 fighters + 1 DD
Move one carrier from Midway SZ to Home waters (SZ62)-this protects your build. 2 of your fighters in combat will land on this carrier.
Move other carrier to Okinawa SZ (SZ60)
SZ#62 brings in tank plus 1 infantry from Japan to invade Philippines
SZ #51 bring Transport with 1 Infantry and invade Philippines (also pick up Okinawa Infantry so you are landing 2)
Bring in the BB from SZ# 61 to attack US DD/TR
SZ#51 bring Transport with 2 Infantry to Borneo
SZ#61 bring Transport 2 Infantry to Burma
SZ#61 Bring Transport with 1 Art and 1 Infantry to Burma
Bring Carrier from SZ#61 to Burma SZ. Attack British DD and TR with 2 fighters
Bring in cruiser for SB on Burma. On your J2 turn you will most likely have the following for India attack:
3 Inf and 1 Art from Burma
2 Infantry from Boreo
1 CA SB
4 fighters ( 2 from CV, 2 from FIC)
total attack: 6+2+12= 20 plus the CA @3 against British: 3 Inf and 1 Art, plus possible 1 Inf from Persia, which is 10…India falls on J2
China attacks:
Manchuria fighter and Formosa fighter with 3 infantry against Yunnan. (Both fighters land in FIC)
3 Infantry from Manchuria and Fighter in Japan to Suiyan (fighter lands on Kiangsu)
3 Infantry from Kiangsu to Hupeh.
A variation would be to only attack Hupeh with 2 infantry and leave one behind in Manchuria to force the Soviets to commit at poor odds.
Basic ideas: you have to take India on the next turn, plus take East Indies on J2. You’re putting your pieces to work to kill UK/ USA assets because they are a greater threat because they are in your face. I know a few of you may cringe on the idea of leaving the one of the 4 IPC island groups, but doing this also forces you to protect the transports which costs more than you gain. All your fleets are protected from counter attacks and you threaten everything and also stop UK from buying a India factory even if you don’t attack India on J2.
Also, you present produce the idea of ‘overprotection” where any fleet that is attacked can be backed up by other points.
The British will have only a DD and the Transport near Australia, while the Americans are left with the CV in the corner of the map.