Japanese Empire

The Japanese Empire (Dai Nippon Teikoku) commonly simply referred to as Japan, is a semi-constitutional monarchy. It is bordered by the Russian Empire, Kwomintang-China, the Khmer Empire, Mexico, Canada and the United States. The Japanese Empire covers around 1,5 million square kilometres and has an estimated population of about 580 million people. The Japanese Empire is divided into several 'Shogunates' and provinces, which comprise of prefectures. Besides that, there are several concessions 'Imperial Cities' on the Chinese coas

The Japanese Empire is a force to be reckoned with, stretching itself out over two continents and being one of the most populous and powerful nations on earth. It is considered an ally of the Batavian Empire, but although it recognises their hegemony, there is a clear rivalry between them, especially concerning matters in East-Asia and the Pacific. The Japanese Empire is a member of the Royal Alliance and is in possess of a permanent seat in the Star Council.

History
During the Monarchist Wars in Europe, the Japanese public opinion shifted increasingly to the pre-World War II nationalist side again. Since the 2017 elections, the Diet had been controlled by the Japanese Liberal Democratic Party, holding traditionalist and conservative views. After the House of Councillors election in 2022, their absolute majority in the National Diet would remain untouched. In 2031, the Japanese Liberal Democratic Prime-Minister, Shinto ordered the conquest of the entire Skhalinsk and Kurillen Islands, heavily supported by the then Dutch regent Citus. When ultranationalist fractions of Liberal Democratic Party seized absolute control of the party in 1935, they rebranded themselves as the Sunrise Party under Prime-Minister Kantaro Nui and called a snap election, which they won in a landslide, sweeping almost every prefecture by winning 398 of the 465 seats. The Sunrise Party, closely affiliated themselves with the Union of European Monarchist Parties and called for a change in the constitution, re-installing the pre-war situation of Japan. The reforms were put on hold however, after internal conflict, leading to another snap election in 1936, where the Sunrise Party saw its majority shrinking to a mere 376 seats. Prime-Minister Nui and the Sunrise Party refused to take on any government responsibility after this victory however, despite still having well over 80% of seats in the Diet. This led to a government impasse, as opposition parties tried to cooperate to form a minority government, that had no mandate.

With the political impasse in the Diet, the Sunrise Party focused on a more militarist way, rallying people in Japan to actively revolt against their government. The Sunrise Party even started an abstentions policy, refusing to take their seats in the current Diet. In November 2037, revolts intensified and a coup d'erat was committed by the Nippon Forces, the militarist branch of the Sunrise Party, taking all the main government buildings by force. The Emperor, Naruhito, hereafter publicly backed the Sunrise Party. The revolts became known as the Reiwa Revolution, after the Imperial Era of the Emperor.

One last election in January of 2038 saw all 465 seats of the House of Representatives go to the Sunrise Party. The UN denounced the results, calling the election unfair and oppressive. A Constituent Assembly was created and a constitutional overhaul was completed in September 2038. The new Constitution was in many ways similar of the one of the Meiji constitution, and was thus referred to as 'The Restoration'.

With a number of absolute imperial powers restored, Japan violently attacked both North- and South-Korea. This led to a heavy war with millions of casualties and a still unfinished guerrilla in the north. Taiwan and the Philippines were taken over with Batavian support in 2043, after the demise of the United States as hegemony and further conquests led to the acquisition of Vietnam, Malaysia, Manchuria, Hong Kong and Chinese cities on the east coast.