Really. People think that the Japanese are unstoppable. That’s because the Japanese are held to the age-old tradition of dividing and conquering. The only thing is, the Allies can turn around and divide the Japanese about twice as quickly should they have the mind to.
An 8 IPC bid is optimal for this. 1 inf + 1 arm in Egy. (the more, the better, but 8 is average, right?)
Combine a defensive R1 turn w/ Cau bomber with a R2 3inf to Ind + 7inf Man stack push and you have a strong Russian counter to two fields.
Add to that a B1 Ind IC + 2 arm/1 fig Egy to Ind, and an aggressive Aus DD.
America goes 100% Pacific with both bombers and a 1 BB, 1 CV, 1 SS buy US1, consolidating American fleet in SZ56 with bombers in Haw, or WUS if not safe.
Summary:
Ind defended with 6 inf 1 art 1 fig 1 AA
Potential counterattack: 2 inf 2 arm Gbr (+ 1 bom if thought necessary) on B2
Potential counterattack: #inf #arm 1bom Rus on R3 (arm buy on R2 to account for defensive 1st turn should have 4arm in Cau, inf moved on R2 if deemed necessary)
Man taken 7inf
1 BB 2 CV 1 DD 4 fig 1 SS SZ56 US1 + 2 bom (26 att)
1 Jap TP off SZ38 sunk
Face it. Japan has previously been able to take everything by J3 simply by using their massive air force to spread across the board. If forced to use it defensively, or with no inf to soak any hits, their potential is greatly reduced. These methods are extreme, and neglect Ger, but Japan will never get the chance to grow and you will see America making 60 IPC, with Great Britain making 50 IPC and Japan making 8 IPC by US4 if lucky, US6 if unlucky. Japan has 17 IPC turn 1. 30-40 turn 2. It goes down after that. America has 40 IPC turn 1. 48-50 turn 2. It goes up after that. Britain has 43 IPC turn 1. 30-40 turn 2. It goes up after that.
Germany can do as she likes. She won’t take a skilled Russian player, with a British approach of 2inf+1art in Ind each turn. I mean, Ind+Bur+Bor+Sum+Ngu+Per=15 IPC. 3 turns of owning these and the place will have paid for itself and the costs of maintaining it
(10 IPC/turn). It won’t fall, because Japan’s reach can’t make it with America pulling on her other arm and Russia biting her toes.
Japan is a mother. Incredibly efficient if left to her tasks, ready to break down when the kids become terrors.