NO, I agree with Questioneer here.
Japan HAS to invade with NO LESS than 11 Infantry, 1 Mechanized Infnatry, 1 Armor and send at least 2 or 3 planes along to secure advancements. (Anything less does not have the power to break through the Russian defense forces and if you cannot do that, then you gained nothing.)
Thus, Japan is sending 60-70 IPC worth of units into Russia (43 IPC of which are land units) to secure 6 or 7 IPC a round (which won’t actually be 6 or 7 IPC a round until Round 5 or 6.)
Russia gets 12 IPC immediately, plus at least 3 or 4 of those IPC for the first round, 2 or 3 for the second…
China has 43 IPC less Japanese units invading it, that is HUGE, considering you’re dealing with a nation that normally can only build infantry!
A large invasion of Russia might convince England to move in early and assist China to push Japan out faster.
Japan’s already in the hole because America earns twice what Japan does and Australia has nothing better to do but reinforce America with destroyers, fighters and cruisers anyway.
Then, of course, comes the day your pittly little band of rebels encounters the vaunted Russian Army in Yen as my forces stream into your ranks from TIM crushing anything you have left and dashing the hopes and dreams of the little women you left on your island nation.
Meanwhile, Germany’s got yet more units facing it - and don’t forget, Russia gets a free infantry for every German territory it takes (3 IPC NO.) So you’re making it easier for Russia to take German territories, thus giving Russia yet more IPC.
All I need is Poland and Romania and the NOs counter my losses to Japan in the east. With the help of the Japanese invasion, I’ll probably also have Hungary, Bulgaria, Greece and Albania as well.