History of the Japanese Protectorate
HTML conversion by Michael P. Owen, April 2000
1907: After centuries of the Samurai code, Japan creates a new war machine. Japan wages a successful war against Russia in a brief and bloody conflict. National pride soars.
1931: As the military rises in political power, Japan extends its influence in the Far East. Troops move into Manchuria and China for oil, coal, iron ore and other natural resources.
1941: Seeing that conflict is inevitable, Japan conducts a surprise attack on the American Pacitic fleet at Pearl Harbor. Four years later, Japan is forced into submission when American forces drop atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Nagasaki.
1946: Japan's government and financial structure is reconstructed under American supervision. Japan eventually recovers.
1988: Japan is one of the top three economic superpowers of the world. Electronics, manufacturing and computers are their top three items.
1999: The Oil Crisis hits Japan particularly hard -- their industry is crippled overnight. Major investment starts on alternative forms of power (more than any other country).
2012: The Grain Blight. While many countries fall into
chaos, Japan holds firm due to strong internal discipline and
cooperation. Though the Blight breaks out in some areas, strict
quarantine controls keep it from devastating the rice crops.The
Japanese Coast Guard is ordered to deal
harshly with any boat people who try to enter the country.
2016: North Korean terrorists release the Blight into the Japanese rice crop. Starvation reaches epic proportions as millions die. Rioting breaks out in urban centers and is eventually put down by deadly force. There are several coup attempts during the year, but all of them fail. Algae production starts just in the nick of time, and reconstruction begins. Various Japanese corporations begin buying land in Montana at extremely low prices.
2020: After years of rebuilding, Japan has stabilized to a point where it can flex its muscle. The new corporate government begins its military and economic expansion.
2022: Over half of Montana, including 78% of the blighted eastern farmland is owned by four major Japanese corporations -- Mitsui, Tanaka, American Nippon, and Aso-Shima. Several minor companies also acquire land in Montana.
2031: Car Wars released to the general public.
2036: Japan grows into an economic empire which spans the Pacific. Competing zaibatsus effectively run the country -- profit motives heavily influence national policy.
