How to play Japan!?

@JimmyHat:

@WILD:

I haven’t really played where Jap didn’t at least try to take 1/2 of China…

Sounds like you have a new strategy to try out the next time you’re Japan.  I still pop China in the mouth J1–I try to cut the burma road for 1 round, but after that retreat all remaining Japanese forces to Russia and perhaps a few to SEAsia.  Notice the look of surprise and big grin forming on your opponents face?  He’s all hot-and-bothered over having a strong China…but you already know China cannot leave CHINA!

This strategy really only works when Moscow is your Axis goal, so KRF, and once Moscow falls then you can attack India from the weaker Western direction.  You will not be able to win on the Pacific board with this strategy because you are leaving 2 VC’s to China, so you’ll need to win the game on the Europe board then.

Am I missing something? People are mentioning China cannot leave China, and at the same time saying China will control 2 VCs. Last time I checked there is only one VC in China. Chinese troops can only enter territories which are Chinese and Kwangtung/Hong Kong is definitely British, not Chinese.

@Metaxas:

@JimmyHat:

@WILD:

I haven’t really played where Jap didn’t at least try to take 1/2 of China…

Sounds like you have a new strategy to try out the next time you’re Japan.  I still pop China in the mouth J1–I try to cut the burma road for 1 round, but after that retreat all remaining Japanese forces to Russia and perhaps a few to SEAsia.  Notice the look of surprise and big grin forming on your opponents face?  He’s all hot-and-bothered over having a strong China…but you already know China cannot leave CHINA!

This strategy really only works when Moscow is your Axis goal, so KRF, and once Moscow falls then you can attack India from the weaker Western direction.  You will not be able to win on the Pacific board with this strategy because you are leaving 2 VC’s to China, so you’ll need to win the game on the Europe board then.

Am I missing something? People are mentioning China cannot leave China, and at the same time saying China will control 2 VCs. Last time I checked there is only one VC in China. Chinese troops can only enter territories which are Chinese and Kwangtung/Hong Kong is definitely British, not Chinese.

China is permitted to move into Kwangtung and Burma as well as original Chinese territories.  Kwangtung is a Victory City (Hong Kong) so theoretically, China can hold two victory cities and keep them out of Japanese hands.

I disagree with this opinion, I think there’s a 150% chance that Japan can pretty much ignore China and the Russian infantry and still hold the two victory cities, but as I said, that is something I think, I have not written a treatise on how to do it and rebuttal over every possible argument and tactic that can be used to try and stop it.  So yes, it’s opinion.  :wink:

One thing Japan needs to keep in mind is this:
“Planes, Ships, Infantry, IPC and anything else you have will not let you win the game.  You can only win the game (with Japan) if, and only if, you control 6 Victory Cities for one round of play.  If it costs you 22 planes and 1 infantry to take that last victory city and there is no possible way for the allies to liberate one within the next game round, this is a very good investment!”

There are several overall strategies to Japan. The drive to australia and the cash isles or china/india first or China/Russia first (a assist germany by hammering russian states for income).

Some peeps like to slap a major IC down on asia, problem is the only spot you can slap one on is a bit out of touch with China. Some peeps like a few minors and slap some tanks down, which works out fine as you clear china quicker which makes up for the expense.
Some peeps like transports but japan only cranks 10 guys so you gonna need a complex eventually. Depends on how fast you want to claim the islands to be honest.

getting enough to take australia is rough because it becomes out of reach of the mainland asia for a bit and the americans have a strategic location. Works out if you can sink USA.

Most people solve the chinese problem first and figure out where to go from there depending on their opponent. Some peeps kick off the war round 1 others round 2… few wait for round 3.

To be honest as long as you have decided on a capital that is Moscow, India, or Aussieland…. you will be fine. Games are won or lost at capitals, you should push for it as axis. Allies usually hole up in India for a bit so it may take some work. ANZAC usually gets support from USA and it is hard to take because it is hard to get men over there and he has a complex down already (in other words if he feels threatened he stops making navy/air and cranks infs).

Moscow push sometimes works out instead of india if india is well fortified after you shutdown burmaroad and china. Also it is kind of unexpected and it is a gambit…  Good times though.  fly all the planes to russialand and get ready to take russia with some hardened vets that killed chinks and a couple armor… yeah good times. If you win… it makes up for all your losses you will experience back home (as long as you hold japan… who needs asia when you got russia baby).

So you can play the old way sometimes with a russia first strat. I do it when the opportunity presents itself.

@BigBadBruce:

@Noll:

#ZehKaiser

what if after you move all your fleet in India’s seas, during J2, the american player moves all his fleet 1 sea zone from sz6?

I don’t see this as a real problem. USA can’t have an amphibious attack strong enough to take Japan. As for navy, I never (ever) saw a USA able to hold in z6 long… with Japan’s planes, I would just load 2 fresh carrier in z6 along with few DD (as ZEH said, kept behind) and additionnal 3 planes in Japan. It should do it to repel USA Navy.

Keeps them off india for a turn however, very helpful