AN 1: This is an AU with the POD starting in 1884-1885. I will include some Japanese technology; particularly small arms and armored vehicles that will be introduced a bit earlier than our OTL. I know that this timeline seems a bit too long but please try to see what I had in mind of this world and if any events seem unlikely, I apologize.
AN 2: Another thing I want to address is; I do not mean offense to anybody of a country of origin that had been conquered by Imperial Japan during WW2. I know of the massacres and war crimes committed by Japan during the war but this is a world where these events didn't happen. I especially apologize to any Chinese who might take offense to how I depict and do to China in this timeline.
AN 3: I realize that I made some mistakes so I have changed and added additional events in the timeline to make it little bit more sense.
Gate: Thus the Rising Sun Fought There
Timeline
1884 - 1885: Japan allies with France during the Sino-French War and receives Taiwan and Penghu as war prizes. This further humiliates the Qing Dynasty causing unrest within its territories.
France and Japan form the Franco-Japanese alliance after the war. (1)
1893 - 1894: First Sino-Japanese War.
The Qing Dynasty attempts to regain its territories lost to Japan ends in defeat yet again.
China cedes the Liaodong Peninsula to Japan while also releases Korea to Japan's sphere of influence.
February 1898: USS Maine is sunk by what was alleged to be caused by a Spanish mine, the United States gears for war.
April – August 1898: The Spanish War.
Sensing an opportunity Japan attacks the Spanish Empire catching the Spanish by surprise.
America also joins the war taking Cuba and Puerto Rico in the process.
France remained neutral.
The war ends with the Philippines and Guam transferred control to the Japanese Empire. Prince Ito Hirobumi is elected as Resident-General of the Philippines and the South Seas territories.
August 1898: Debate on what to do with the Spanish colonists and local Filipinos became a hot topic after former Filipino rebels make several demands including equal rights in the Empire.
The 'They are our Gaijin' and 'Winning the hearts and minds' speeches are made in the Imperial National Diet.
As a result, the Spanish colonists and the local Filipinos are given some rights as Second class citizens. While most were not happy with this, they can also see that this is at least the first step.
Taiwan is given the same treatment to the local Taiwanese.
August 1899 - September 1901: The Boxer Rebellion.
January 1904: Pressure for the annexation of Korea is on the rise.
Ito Hirobumi is sent to Korea as Resident-General of Korea after choosing his successor to govern the Philippines and the South Seas territories.
An assassination attempt on Ito occurs, however, Ito miraculously survives. The assassin is surprisingly given clemency by Ito Hirobumi himself and was sent to hard labor for the rest of his life.
February 1904: Wanting a warm-water port for their navy and maritime trade in the Pacific Ocean, Russia demands position of the Liaodong Peninsula from Japan. Japan offers to recognize Russian dominance in Manchuria in exchange for recognition of Korea as part of Japan's Sphere of influence.
Russia refuses and Japan perceives this as a threat to its own security and attacks Russia's naval force in Vladivostok. France maintains neutrality but keeping to its alliance with Japan offers to mediate peace talks.
Japan and Russia refuse and Russo-Japanese war begins.
September 1905: The Russo-Japanese War ends in a complete Japanese Victory.
During the negotiation process, Russia offers to secede not only all of the Kuril Islands but also all of Sakhalin Island if Japan does not demand reparations.
With a very narrow window of opportunity before more Russian reinforcements would arrive in the Far East, the Japanese ambassadors reluctantly accept the proposal and the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed. Though they are quietly not happy they didn't get any amount of reparations out of the deal.
The world is shocked by Russia's defeat (minus France who silently congratulates Japan on their victory) and start to truly take Japan seriously as a major world power.
1910: Despite the efforts of Ito Hirobumi, Korea is annexed anyway.
However, Ito made great efforts so that the Koreans and Chinese residents are given the same rights as the Filipinos and the Spanish.
1912: Emperor Meiji passes away. Prince Yoshito becomes the Taisho Emperor.
1914: First World War begins
Japan joins the Entente and sieges the German colony of Tsingtao forcing the German garrison to surrender. At the same time, a Japanese Expeditionary force of 10,000 is sent to Europe.
1915 - 1916: Japanese troops fighting in Europe are horrified by the conditions of the western front looking too similar to the land battles during the Russo-Japanese war. Taking lessons of said war, Japanese commanders share their recorded experiences with their allies.
Aircraft are used in great numbers in combat, Japanese commanders take note of this and sent information back to Japan of their observations.
Meanwhile, in the Pacific, Japanese Naval and Land Forces attack German New Guinea from the Philippines and the South Seas islands.
1917: America joins the war.
July - September 1918: Rice Riots in Japan.
An incident with the IJA's handling with the riots sparks massive outcry across Japan damaging the Imperial Army's image and losing influence in politics.
In the wake of the Rice Riots incident, the Imperial National Diet passes a bill forbidding the military from gaining power ever again, leaving the military in control of the civilian government.
November 1918: Unable to halt the tide against them, Germany and the Central Powers surrender finally ending the First World War. Japan gains Tsingtao and German New Guinea as rewards for its participation in the War.
Japan decides to not partake in the Russian Revolution/Civil war.
1920: The Franco-Japanese Alliance comes to an end on the insistence of the United States and Great Britain due to their fears that the alliance will become an obstacle at the Paris Peace conference as well as the fear that Japan might want to dominate the Pacific and Asia.
France reluctantly agrees to end their long-standing alliance with Japan ending almost 35 years of friendship.
The Russian civil war ends with the formation of the Soviet Union.
1923: The Great Kanto earthquake.
1926: Emperor Taisho passes away. Crown Prince Hirohito becomes the Showa Emperor.
Restriction of western culture is relaxed due to popular demand by the younger generation that was exposed to said culture after traveling abroad as well as experiencing some Spanish culture in the Philippines.
Soon western culture spreads across Japan and its Empire through multiple different media.
1927: The Chinese Civil War begins. Japan keeps a watchful eye on the conflict.
1929: The Great Depression.
Japan's growth rate is reduced as a result of the Economic Recession.
1930: Ethiopia and Japan sign a treaty of Friendship and Commerce.
1931: Filipino, Spanish, Taiwanese, and Koreans are recruited alongside Japanese troops in mixed racial army divisions for the first time.
1933: Manchurian Incident.
Shots are fired between Japanese and Chinese troops at the Yalu River. Japan retaliates by launching a full-scale invasion of Manchuria.
Several of the mixed racial divisions are also sent to Manchuria.
1934: China negotiates with Japan resulting in seceding Manchuria to Japan.
March 1935: Oil deposits are discovered in Northern Sakhalin.
Late 1935: Italy invades Ethiopia.
In response, Japan condemns the invasion and although Japan cannot do anything due to the distance to East Africa with current technologies; they can still ensure to the Ethiopians that Italy's claim will not be recognized as long Ethiopia is under Italy's control.
As a result of this, relations between Japan and the Axis Powers deteriorate.
Early 1938: Japan begins to consider reforming their Army. This also includes creating their own armored and mechanized forces in order to hold onto their recent gains in Manchuria from both China and the Soviet Union.
Observations in Europe, particularly the German armored units seem to support this belief.
Mid 1938: The Daqing oil field is discovered in what was formerly called Heilongjiang Province. With enough resources and now large quantities of oil, Japan stands ready on its own.
The Kuomintang is outraged, viewing this as "Japan's exploitation of China's treasures!"
Late 1938: Type 98 Chi-He medium tank is introduced (2). In the same year, the Type 98 Rifle is also introduced.
1939: World War 2 begins.
Several border incidents with the Soviet Union see several skirmishes between the IJA and the Red Army.
The Chi-He has proven to be effective against the Red Armies BT's and T-26's, but in the end, Japanese military commanders agreed that a war with the Soviet Union is not in their best interest.
The Soviet-Japanese Neutrality pact is later signed.
Japanese Observers in Europe report back on the results of Germany's blitzkrieg. Worried that they may fall behind, designs for new armored vehicles are ordered.
The IJN asks for more funding in order to maintain Japan's maritime control of their Pacific holdings.
March - June 1940: Afer long preparations and planning, Japan officially declares war on the Allies.
One hour after the declaration, preprepared Japanese forces invade West and South Eastern New Guinea, Hong Kong, the Solomon Islands and the Dutch East Indies islands of Sulawesi, Borneo, and the Lesser Sunda Islands.
Though suspected that war with Japan could happen at any moment, the Allies were more focused against the Axis in the Middle East, North Africa and elsewhere. As a result, Allied forces stationed in Asia and the Pacific were only able to put up token resistance.
Two months later, the Allies organized the British-Dutch-Australia Command or BDACOM to combat the Empire of Japan.
However, coordination between the three different nationalities proved to be more complicated and difficult for various reasons.
September 1940: Japan suddenly invades French Indochina.
As a result of this invasion, Japan is now effectively also at war with the Axis.
Although it has been 20 years since the Franco-Japanese alliance officially ended, IJA officers were given orders that although they are now enemies, the French were to be treated fairly in memory of the two countries old friendship.
January 1941: After suffering many defeats which culminated in the disastrous Battle of the Java Sea, BDACOM ceases to exist and the rest of the Dutch East Indies surrenders.
The Battleship Yamato is commissioned and becomes the flagship of the IJN's Combined Fleet.
February 1941: Japan invades Thailand where despite fierce resistance; the fighting lasted only a few hours before ending in a ceasefire.
On the 23rd Thailand and Japan sign an alliance allowing the IJA to move through Thailand and attack the British Raj and British Malaya.
The Type 1 Chi-Nu medium tank is introduced.
March 1941: Singapore falls.
April - September 1941: The Battleship Musashi is commissioned.
Malaysia and Brunei, declare their Independence.
Shortly after the United Kingdom of Myanmar declares independence from the British Raj, Thailand starts demanding territory it had lost to France and Britain.
Eventually, by Japan's decision and in exchange for joining the war effort, Cambodia and Myanmar cede the disputed territories to Thailand. After incorporating its newly regained territories, Thailand declares war on both the Allies and the Axis.
October 1941 - February 1942: The invasion of India starts as the Japanese forces were able to conquer the island of Sri Lanka and about 38% of India in the initial assault.
By December; almost 63% of India had fallen, however by January, the advance has stalled and remained a stalemate until the Allies call for an end to the fighting.
Late February 1942: The Allies attempt to negotiate with Japan in order to see if they can come to an end to the conflict in the Asia-Pacific region.
Japan agrees to end the conflict on several conditions;
1. The Allies are to recognize Japan's sphere of influence.
2. Great Britain is to transfer control of Hong Kong, Singapore, and the rest of its holdings in Asia to Japan, Malaysia, and Myanmar. This includes Britain's Pacific holdings as well.
3. The Allies are to acknowledge the independence of Malaysia, Myanmar, Brunei, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and any nation that declared independence in the Pacific, Asia, and Southeast Asia.
4. In return, Japan joins the Allies in the fight against the Axis.
With the Soviet Union starting to push the Axis back in the East coupled with the fear of Europe being overrun by Communism, the Allies are left with no choice if they want to focus on the European front and sign the treaty to end the conflict with Japan.
Late 1942: The war in the Pacific and Asia ends and Japan focuses its military industry against the Axis.
The Federal Republic of India declares independence several months after the end of the conflict.
1943: The Japanese occupation of The Dutch East Indies ends and the Indies is replaced with the newly independent Republic of Indonesia.
The Type 3 Chi-To medium tank is introduced.
At the same time, the Type 1 Chi-Nu is upgraded (Kai).
The United States finally joins the War on the side of the Allies.
Early - Mid 1944: World War 2 ends.
In the months after the official end of the War, an unexpected visit by a German U-boat makes contact with an IJN destroyer in the Indian Ocean. On board are some German scientists that are seeking refuge from the Soviet Union and the other Allied powers.
Also on board the U-boat, the German scientists brought along blueprints of a new jet engine and a prototype STG-44 rifle. Japan accepts the refugees into the Empire.
The Type 98 Chi-He is officially retired.
Early 1945: The 'Greater Co-Prosperity Sphere' (GCOPS) is officially formed.
Members are, as of 1945;
-Empire of Japan
-The Kingdom of Thailand
-Empire of Vietnam
-The Kingdom of Laos
-The Kingdom of Cambodia
-Federation of Malaysia
-The Kingdom of Brunei
-The Republic of Indonesia
-United Kingdom of Myanmar
-The Federal Republic of India
-The Kingdom of Nepal
-The Kingdom of Bhutan
-Kingdom of Sri Lanka.
Mid 1945: America's first Nuclear bomb was successfully tested.
Under extreme secrecy, most of the world remains unaware of its existence as the U.S. begins production.
Unbeknownst to the U.S., a ring of spies had informed the Soviet Union on America's progress in the nuclear program and begun to aggressively pursue their own atomic bomb project in response.
March - May 1946: The former Australian territory of Papua unifies with Japanese New Guinea as the territory of Papua New Guinea while West New Guinea remains under occupation.
July - Mid August 1949: Indonesia starts claiming Papua and West New Guinea sighting that, as a successor to the Dutch East Indies they are entitled to those territories.
In a GCOPS referendum, Japan pressures Indonesia to drop all claims on West and Papua New Guinea and allow them to declare their independence.
Indonesia reluctantly drops their claims and West New Guinea declares their independence and joins GCOPS.
Late August 1949: The first Soviet nuclear bomb was detonated and the world was left in shock.
Stunned that the Soviets had developed a nuclear weapon, the U.S. is forced to reveal that they had already been in possession of their own nuclear weapons and the Nuclear Arms race has begun.
In light of the revelations, Japan accelerates its own nuclear weapons program with the additional aid of the German scientists they took in 5 years prior. However, locating Uranium Deposits within the Empire took some time before they finally found some in Liaoning and begun mining.
1950 - 1952: Taiwan, the Philippines, and Korea are given prefecture status making them extended Japanese lands and its people (Taiwanese, Filipino, Korean, and Spanish decedents) full Japanese citizens.
With this, the realization of a multi-ethnic Japanese empire has finally become a reality.
At the same time, the IJA decides that from now on; all small arms are now numbered based on the reign of the current Emperor, while vehicles and etc follow the Imperial Calendar. Though some wondered if the two number designations might be confusing for foreigners, the topic was quickly dropped.
Meanwhile, the IJN retains the status quo of the naming of warships as well as following the IJA's decision to number their aircraft using the Imperial Calendar.
The Type 1 Chi-Nu Kai is retired.
The Chinese Civil war finally ends in a Kuomintang victory where a few months later, China invades Tibet and Xinjiang incorporating them as Autonomous Regions.
1953: The British release the Islamic Republic of Pakistan as a start of the decolonization of their empire.
However, relations between Pakistan and India were fragile at best which has seen several border incidents light up every now and then in the first few years of Pakistan's existence.
March 1954: After many trial and error, the first Japanese Atomic bomb was detonated in Northern Korea, signifying the Empire as a Nuclear Power and begun limited production in order to deter America, China, and the Soviet Union should war between them erupt.
However, the deadly effects of radiation were fully revealed when the nearby town of Hungnam was exposed to the nuclear fallout.
As a result, fears of what would happen if a Nuclear war were to occur rise sharply.
1956: Relations between Japan and Ethiopia are restored.
Months later, Japan offers Ethiopia to join GCOPS; Ethiopia accepts.
Sputnik, the world's first artificial satellite is put into orbit and the Space race has begun. However, fears that the rockets could be used to house a nuclear bomb and reach anywhere in the world results in a further escalation of the Nuclear Arms Race.
Japan was no exception and work to send their own satellite into space was heavily pursued.
The colony of Singapore is transferred to Malaysia becoming a new state of the Federation of Malaysia.
1957: The Imperial Japanese Air Force (IJAF) is formed while retaining the former Imperial Japanese Army Air Force (IJAAF) aircraft designations ("Ki") as well as following the Army's decision on the numbering designation based on the Imperial Calendar.
The IJAF also adopts the Imperial Navy's short designation letter system for their aircraft, much to the Imperial Army's chagrin.
In the same year, the IJAF receives the newly designated Ki-G17N Strategic Bomber (3) from Nakajima.
France and Japan establish new relations in the spirit of the defunct Franco-Japanese Alliance.
1958: Ethiopia fully modernizes becoming 'Africa's Japan'.
A new Main Battle Tank project is conceived while the Type 3 Chi-To is upgraded (Kai).
1959: Multiple land and maritime border incidents between China and GCOPS neighbors occur; thus increasing tensions in East Asia.
February 1960: Sakura 1; Japan's first artificial satellite is sent into orbit effectively joining the Space Race and becoming the third nation to release an artificial satellite into orbit with its own launch vehicle.
As a result, tensions rise in light of this recent rocket launch.
March - Mid August 1960: The East Africa Federation is formed under GCOPS supervision.
The Type 20 MBT (4) is introduced.
Japan eventually becomes a permanent member of the U.N. Security Council.
Mid - Late August 1960: A series of race riots in Singapore occur.
Despite efforts by GCOPS to mediate the many issues between Malaysia and Singapore, Malaysia votes to expel Singapore from their federation and GCOPS reluctantly allows the expulsion to pass.
After the Republic of Singapore is formed, Japan (IJA) and Thailand (RTA) offer to garrison a small number of their soldiers in their territory in order to help maintain stability and help train the local Singaporeans create their own standing military; Singapore accepts the offer.
March 1961: The Singapore Armed Forces is officially created and the garrisoned troops of the IJA and the RTA start to pull out.
The last operational Type 3 Chi-To Kai tanks are retired.
September - October 1962: The Type 37 Battle Rifle (5) is introduced.
Tensions between the United States and the Soviet Union are on the brink of nuclear war during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
During this, Japan and GCOPS go on high alert while also calling for calm and a diplomatic solution to the Crisis before eventually, an agreement is made bringing a peaceful end to the crisis.
1963: U.S. president John F. Kennedy is assassinated.
1964: The 1964 Summer Olympics are held in Tokyo.
During the same year, Pakistan officially joins GCOPS after formally reconciling with India and recognizing India's stance on the subcontinent.
1968 - 1970: America lands the first man on the moon.
Tensions in East Asia are high when a border conflict between China and the Japanese controlled Manchuria occurs, threatening the region with a possible total war.
Chinese forces are repulsed by the Japanese and the area returns to a tense standoff. As a result of the failed conflict, China increases its military as well as funding research into developing WMDs as a possible future deterrent along with multiple other projects.
In response, Japan and GCOPS remain on high alert and increase their militaries over next several years.
1971 - 1972: The Type 31 MBT (6) is introduced.
Several new African Nations are formed with some officially joining GCOPS.
In South America, tensions between Chile and Argentina rise after Chile becomes the first South American nation to join GCOPS.
1974: Japan permits West New Guinea and the East Papua New Guinea territory to unify forming the Unified State of New Guinea.
1976: The IJN receives the A36N (7) fighter from Nakajima as Japan's answer to the United State's F-14 Tomcat.
The Type 20 is upgraded (Kai) and fitted with a new 105mm gun.
1977-1978: The Space race ends.
In Iran, a man named Ruhollah Khomeini dies of unknown causes.
The Imperial National Diet approves the IJN's request to allow their amphibious assault ships to become quasi-light carriers in case any of their main aircraft carriers are unable to support any amphibious assaults for various reasons.
1979: An attempted Islamic revolution in Iran fails due to GCOPS's strong influence and massive backing in the country's modernization efforts that proved to be popular to the average Iranian.
January - February 1980: A vote in Manchuria is called in order to decide if Manchuria should become independent, return to China, or remain under Japan's rule. By a very narrow margin, Manchuria votes to remain under Japan's rule.
China is outraged, claiming that the voting system is rigged.
September - November 1980: The Iran-Iraq war.
Viewing the failed Islamic revolution as a sign of Iran's weakness, Iraq under the rule of Saddam Hussein unbelievably invades Iran.
In response, and to Saddam's massive miscalculation, GCOPS sides with Iran and formerly launches an invasion of Iraq.
After only 2 months of fighting, Iraq surrenders and loses some of its territories to Iran. Saddam Hussein is overthrown and executed.
Iraq is then divided resulting in Kurdistan finally getting their independence in northern Iraq, while the rest of the country is divided into two new countries of Shiastan in northwest Iraq and Sunnistan in southeast Iraq.
After the conflict Iran is offered to join GCOPS; Iran accepts.
1982: The Falklands war.
GCOPS stays out of the conflict while Chile remained on high alert until the conflict ends.
January 1983: The IJAF receives the Ki-J43M (8) fighter from Mitsubishi.
Controversy over Kurdistan independence is questioned when violent movements in Iran and Turkey commit acts of terrorism in their advocation to expand the new nation. This was in violation of measures placed by GCOPS and the United Nations following the end of the Iran-Iraq war.
March 1983: President Ronald Reagan delivers his "Star Wars" speech leaving many skeptical on the feasibility of such a project.
Mid 1983: Following an Election crisis, Kurdistan falls into a civil war resulting in the Arab League to pressure the United Nations and GCOPS to dissolve the nation and let it be absorbed into Sunnistan and Iran.
1984 - 1986: A Banking scandal sparks concern for the Japanese Empire and all the GCOPS members that their debt levels might be a lot bigger than originally believed. Reforms to try to combat the debt issue and the economic bubble are passed, as a result, Japan and GCOPS member's economic growth is greatly slowed down.
China's government and its media state that this is a sign of Japan's weakening power and influence.
The Type 59 Assault Rifle (9) is introduced to supersede the Type 37 as the main frontline rifle.
1987: Leaders from the United States of America, the Soviet Union, and the Japanese Empire signed nuclear arms reduction treaties.
1988: The 1988 Summer Olympics are held in Seoul as a show of faith from Japan to host the Olympics other than just the Home Islands.
1989: Japan's Type 49 MBT (10) is introduced and begins to replace the Type 20 Kai MBT.
The IJN Battleships Yamato and Musashi are extensively upgraded.
The Showa Emperor passes away; Crown Prince Akihito becomes the Heisei Emperor.
1991 - 1992: The Soviet Union is dissolved and is replaced with the Russian Federation and multiple new countries.
The Economic bubble scare comes to pass giving Japan and GCOPS a sigh of relief allowing their economies to grow once more, albeit more slowly this time in order to deal with any type of bubble crisis in the future.
In late 1991 Japan offers to open new trade deals with the Russian Federation to help improve their economy.
China faces a different story; as a result of their massive military buildup including increasingly expensive projects the Chinese economy falls into a deep recession. As a result, Tibet is granted independence after 40 years under China's control and immediately petitions to join GCOPS as well as full recognition of their nation; the petition and recognition are granted.
At the same time, Mongolia joins GCOPS.
1993: China's economic troubles did not subside.
Desperate, China is forced to give up the Provinces of Suiyuan and Chahar to Mongolia while the region of Xingjiang is also given independence forming the Republic of Uyghuristan.
Amidst the economic panic, an extreme right-wing group of the Kuomintang government takes power and starts multiple reforms of the military and the economy. The group also bolsters strong nationalist and anti-Japanese sentiments all across the country.
This also includes a desire to regain all lost territories and gain revenge after almost 150 years of humiliation.
So in June 1993, China builds up its military to unprecedented heights.
1994: The Type 31 MBT is upgraded (kai).
February - late April 1995: By February 1995, China builds up the largest standing military the world has ever seen by a single nation.
In an effort to regain its lost territories without losing them completely due to Japan using their own nukes in reaction to prevent the Chinese from taking them, the Kuomintang announces that they too have successfully (in secrecy) developed their own WMDs.
Though GCOPS had little intel on when the WMDs were supposedly completed or where they are located, it was enough to make them go on high alert and restrict themselves from utilizing their own remaining stock of Nuclear weapons unless China uses their own WMDs at any moment.
In late April, Chinese Special Forces managed to commit sabotage on key military positions in Manchuria causing confusion within the IJA. Next morning, after preparations are complete and the with the knowledge that GCOPs would not use their Nukes for fear of retaliation, China began to invade its neighbors.
The Great Asia War has begun.
May - Mid June 1995: China's initial success' sees the conquests of Tibet, Uyghuristan, Laos, half of Vietnam, the Northern territories of Thailand and Myanmar, Hong Kong, Tsingtao, a quarter of Manchuria, some of Northern Korea, most of Mongolia, Taiwan, and the Ryukyu Islands.
In response, GCOPS, NATO, and even Russia (not wanting to lose its trade with Japan and GCOPS) mobilize their militaries and join forces.
July - Early September 1995: China launches an unexpected, but bold amphibious and airborne invasion of the island of Kyushu and managing to occupy 40% of the island in spite of the Imperial Japanese Military forces in the area attempting to halt their advance.
However, the Chinese advance stalls after IJA divisions stationed on Kyushu managed to regroup and use the local terrain to put up heavy stiff resistance.
Meanwhile, Chinese forces on the other fronts have also stalled after facing heavy resistance from the combined allied forces.
October - December 1995: The tide turns.
Japanese forces drive the Chinese out of Kyushu while a combined Russian and Japanese joint counterattack liberates Manchuria.
Indian, Pakistani, and Iranian forces liberate Tibet.
Laos, Mongolia, Taiwan, the Ryukyu Islands, and Northern Korea are also liberated. However, during the liberation of Taiwan, the Battleship Musashi is sunk in battle.
Thailand and Myanmar regain their territories while Vietnam is reunified.
In the Northwest, Uyghuristan is liberated by Russian forces.
NATO and GCOPS forces liberate Hong Kong and manage to hold out against further Chinese counterattacks.
December 1995 - April 1996: Although the war could've ended right now, the Allies launch a massive counterattack into Chinese lands from multiple directions, while Tsingtao was liberated after an amphibious assault by the IJN.
A few weeks later, Tsingtao and Hong Kong were used as a staging grounds to open new fronts.
Allied airpower overwhelms the Chinese Air Force while what's left of China's Navy is completely destroyed. Meanwhile, China's Army struggles to hold out against the overwhelming tide on all fronts.
In all of this, the Chinese Capital falls while the Kuomintang flees to a secure location to continue the fight. By mid-March, several of China's WMDs were discovered and secured once they were fully identified.
March - June 1996: By now, China has lost 70% of its territories to the Allied advance. Desperate, the Kuomintang orders the use of their remaining WMDs under their control as a final costly blow to the Allies.
Several Chinese military leaders are horrified by the orders and knew that if they did use WMDs the Allies, specifically Japan, India, and Russia could potentially retaliate. Instead, they launch a coup against the Kuomintang and capture or kill members of the government.
Once in control, a message was quickly sent out to the Allies offering an unconditional surrender in order to save what's left of China.
The allies accept.
June 19, 1996: The Great Asia War comes to an end.
In the aftermath, China loses territories to Tibet, Mongolia, Uyghuristan, Vietnam, Laos, and India. China is then forced to recognize all territories now under control by the victors, and have a severely reduced military as well as turn in their WMD's where they will be confiscated, studied and eventually dismantled.
Once the official surrender was signed, the remaining Kuomintang government officials are handed over to the U.N. to go on trial.
August 1996: The Republic of China is dissolved and in its place, the Chinese Federation is formed while its military is downgraded and reformed to become the Chinese Self-Defense Force (CSDF).
All of GCOPS members heavily affected by the war begin to rebuild.
1997: Hong Kong is released from Japanese rule as the newly independent Republic of Hong Kong and joins GCOPS.
The Type 20 Kai MBT is officially retired.
1998: As a very small sign of sympathy, Japan releases its control of Tsingtao and returns it to China.
1999: The Ki-J43M is upgraded (kai).
2000: The start of a new century sees Manchuria upgraded to Prefecture Status.
The Type 49 MBT is upgraded (kai) in order to extend its service life.
2003: The Type 63 MBT (11) is introduced in order to supersede the Type 49 Kai and fully replace the Type 31 Kai.
2005: The IJN receives the A/B65Ka (12) from Kawasaki to supersede the A36N.
2009: A group of Korean nationalists holds a museum and its occupants (staff, guests, and tourists) hostage.
The situation soon ends as the local police and Special Forces storm the museum killing or arresting the nationalists, while also freeing the hostages.
2010: After almost 14 years since the end of the Great Asia War, the Chinese Federation is finally accepted into GCOPS giving the Chinese government a chance to both further mend relations with its neighbors and utilize its rebuilt industrial capacity to good use to GCOPS.
With China now a member of GCOPS, East Asia is now fully united under one alliance.
The IJN receives the A70M (13) fighter from Mitsubishi to supersede alongside the A/B65Ka and began to retire the A36N.
2011: The Great Tohoku Earthquake.
2014: The Type 26 Assault Rifle (14) is introduced and begins to supersede the Type 59 rifle.
2015: An unknown Gate mysteriously appears in Ginza, Tokyo.
(1) Equivalent to the Anglo-Japanese Alliance 17 years later in our OTL.
(2) What are the differences to our OTL's Chi-He? It's slightly bigger, wider and this also includes the turret. Oh and a Coaxial machine gun! NOT a machine gun at the back of the turret!
(3) A strategic bomber with 6 turbojet engines buried in the swept wings positioned in pairs close to the fuselage and has two underwings mounted fuel tanks for extended range.
(4) Fictional tank replacing our OTL's Type 61 MBT.
(5) OTL Howa Type 64 Rifle
(6) OTL Type 74 MBT, but with almost all of the components of the STB-1 prototype; such as an autoloader.
(7) The VF-0 Valkyrie from Macross Zero (Not transformable of course, has no thrust vectoring and has an internal 20mm rotary cannon)
(8) Indigenous FS-X design from Mitsubishi for the JASDF F-2 fighter program in OTL.
(9) OTL Howa Type 89 Assault Rifle, but with a domestic Rail Interface System to be able to add attachments.
(10) OTL Type 90 MBT
(11) Imagine the Type 61 tank from MS IGLOO and Gundam The Origin OVA, only much smaller (around 50 tonnes) with a crew of 3. Also, the turret is more in the middle and it has a single auto-loading 120mm gun.
(12) The F/A-27C fighter from Yukikaze
(13) Space Battleship Yamato 2199's Type 99 "Cosmo Falcon" fighter with some changes.
(14) The Seburo C-30 from Ghost in the Shell First Assault, but replacing the built-in grip with an under barrel handguard to be able to attach either a different grip or a grenade launcher.