Press any key to display a map without border lines. In 1894, Japan and Qing China plunged into the FirstSino-Japanese War after Qing sent reinforcements to Korea for the Gapsin Peasant Rebellion. While the Empire of Japan sought to prevent European expansion into Southeast Asia and openly declared its ambition to realize the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, Qing, facing Japan's modern military superiority, sought aid from Russia. Japan found itself in a difficult struggle against Russia, which entered the war on Qing's side, ultimately suffering defeat. In 1896, the Treaty of Liaodong forced Japan to bear enormous reparations, plunging the nation into extreme poverty. To quell public anxiety, the government pursued military expansion. However, in 1899, Prime Minister Shigenobu Ōkuma was assassinated, and Hirobumi Itō assumed the position of Prime Minister. The government pushed for further military expansion, but faced fierce opposition from the National Socialist Alliance led by Uchimura Kanzo, leading directly to civil war. The anti-war faction, including the artist group led by Yosano Akiko, joined the opposition, intensifying the conflict. The cabinet and Emperor Meiji fled to Kyushu, splitting Japan into Kyushu and Honshu. However, the world recognized the Kyushu-based Japan as the legitimate dynasty. Taking advantage of the domestic chaos, Russia rapidly advanced into Hokkaido. Hokkaido fell helplessly under Russian control. On Honshu, the National Socialist Alliance, guided by socialist ideals, established the Japanese Art Communist Party. Prominent artists and socialist activists from across the country took leadership roles, establishing control over Honshu. Meanwhile, in Qing China, where anti-imperialist sentiment began to rise, young advocates for invading Korea started to gain traction in public opinion. Southeast Asia showed signs of easing tensions with the weakened Japan, but the menacing grip of European imperialism loomed ever closer. What fate awaited Asia, now without a dominant power?
I would like to thank everyone who inspired me, and mapchar for helping with the map creation. I'm using a translation machine, so there are probably a lot of mistakes. I'm sorry.
