Hi stever7804 and welcome.
You are right: it is beginning of the game.
Means Japan can only make a Major IC on Korea. Not on any Chinese territory, even the ones they begin the game with, as these territories are still Chinese.
It also means the US cannot capture Norway and build a Major one there.
It is better for balance.
Hope that is what you meant.
Naval base placement
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When it says southern italy gets a naval base, do ships in both its seazones get the naval base advantages? Same question for southern englands naval base.
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Why yes, it would.
The same applies to:
-Germany SZ 113/114
-Gibraltar SZ 91/92
-Novgorod SZ 115/127
-Normandy SZ 105/110
-Egypt SZ 81/98
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I wish they were as straight forward as Pacific 40, only giving the bonuses to 1 seazone each. Placing them on a single coastline makes the board look cooler :x.
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In AAP40, placing a Naval Base at Alaska would effect 2 seazones.
I think the way it is will work fine for AAE40/AAG40.