Japan, upon learning of the uprising by the Pan-Asianists who sought to intervene in the brewing conflict between the Chinese government and the Chinese Communist Party, clapped their hands in joy. Their beloved China was seeking an opportunity to increase its numbers, they said. There was no reason not to be delighted.
In their jubilation, Japan decided to provide support.
However, since it was not a publicity stunt, they decided not to overtly declare their goodwill. To ensure that Japan's support remained hidden, it was decided to carry it out quietly. Specifically, they created a paper company in the Siberian Republic, with the president claiming that he had a grudge against the CCP because he had been mistreated by the Soviet Union and also because he disliked the interference of the Chinese government in business.
They decided to send surplus Soviet-made weapons and ammunition that had been stacked in warehouses, deemed too wasteful to be discarded, by updating them to Japanese-made equipment for the Siberian Republic's military during the Siberian War of Independence. To make the cover story believable, it was orchestrated with meticulous care, involving Russian-Japanese individuals.
Even the Chinese were easily deceived by this elaborate ruse.
. . .
G4
Japan's beloved China's population growth plan was discussed as a preliminary step at a secret meeting (off-the-record) of the G4 liaison committee. While it was anticipated that China would ultimately splinter and weaken, there was an expectation of accelerated conflict in the short term. It was only natural to reach out to the United States, Britain, and France, who had interests in China. In particular, France was currently engaged in active combat in French Indochina with the Pan-Asianists, whom they planned to support, adding a level of complexity to the situation.
France, however, responded that as long as the Pan-Asianists did not return with weapons to French Indochina, there would be no problem. Furthermore, Japan argued that they should actively cooperate with France to ensure that they did not return. As a quid pro quo for their support, Japan agreed to allow the use of the port in the French Leased Territory of Guangzhouwan, which borders China, as a place to land weapons for the Pan-Asianists. Border surveillance in French Indochina involved cracking down on the movement of people and goods (smuggling) that bypassed major roads and immigration checkpoints.
To enhance this surveillance, Japan decided to deploy state-of-the-art aircraft – based on the passenger aircraft developed by TAI (Toyota Aircraft Industries) *1 for export – equipped with radar, various sensors, and communication devices. These aircraft were designated P-4 ground surveillance planes.
However, to avoid potential political scrutiny in the Japanese parliament if they deployed them directly, the Japanese government decided to handle it through a PMSC (Private Military and Security Company) under the guise of the Japanese Combined Armed Forces subcontracting organization for military operations.
With great caution, they established SMS (Suzuki & Marie Special Services) based in the relatively secretive Republic of Guam to handle Japan's unofficial and classified military operations. SMS then deployed P-4P (civilian variant) units to Guangzhouwan for border surveillance in French Indochina. In conjunction with the establishment of SMS, Japan also decided to establish a covert special operations unit (Underground Unit) with advice from the USFJ to assist with Japan's undisclosed special military operations. This unit was named the Special Intelligence Unit (Omega). Externally, it was presented as SMS's security unit, and its base was located on the discreetly maintained Guam.
Britain and the US had no reason to deny Japan's actions regarding support for South China, so they affirmed them. However, the US also expressed interest in Japan's deployment of P-4 ground surveillance planes to the French Indochina border region. While the airborne surveillance in the Frontier Republic's border region relied on crew visual observation, the P-4 ground surveillance planes had advanced surveillance capabilities, including ground radar and sensors. It was only natural for the US to show interest.
While Britain and France also faced problems with weapon smuggling and the breadth of their border areas in Africa, they had essentially given up due to the vastness of the region. Airborne border surveillance, given the size of the regions to be monitored, was deemed impractical by both countries. This was the reality they had come to accept.
. . .
Pan-Asianists
Led by individuals who had returned from French Indochina, a military uprising took place in southern China. Their number was approximately 30.000.
In the blink of an eye, they seized control of key cities, establishing a strong foothold as a formidable force. They took advantage of the fact that the Chinese government had concentrated its main military forces in the north to combat the Chinese Communist Party. As they also mobilized troops from local warlords, there was no significant force in southern China capable of stopping their momentum, and the Pan-Asianists continued to expand their control over the coastal regions of southern China.
When they extended their influence to the border region with French Indochina, they declared the establishment of their desired new state, the Chinese Republic – the founding of South China. They boldly proclaimed their intention to overthrow the corrupt and lost Chinese government, expel hostile factions from within China, and create a utopian homeland for various ethnic groups, with the Chinese people at the nucleus.
. . .
Downtime Japanese
A Russian-Japanese (Japanese government operative) who had contact with the Pan-Asianists in connection with the supply of weapons ended up seeing something unbelievable as negotiations progressed, which was encountering downtime Japanese serving in the South Chinese military. Although they were not revered as heroic officers and did not hold significant political roles, downtime Japanese officers played important roles in the South Chinese military.
The Japanese government was left dumbfounded upon receiving this report. They hastily instructed to gather detailed information and confirm their identities. Not only was this information not concealed, but the downtime Japanese themselves proudly revealed it, making the details immediately clear. They had originated from the Republic of North Japan and had left the military and their homeland to support the cause of Pan-Asianism, totaling 15 in number. They were the men who had survived the conflicts in French Indochina.
The Japanese government was furious. Since the Kwantung Purge, the Japanese government had been wary of former imperial military personnel who seemed to be obsessed with honor and worried about what they might do in various situations. They had even instructed the North Japanese government to keep track of their activities. However, the North Japanese government had not reported that these former military personnel had left the military and the country. Furthermore, the reason was not due to oversight or forgetfulness but was intentional – it was an attempt to conceal their support for the Pan-Asianists out of loyalty and a sense of camaraderie. It was only natural for the Japanese government to be furious.
Moreover, rather than quietly operating, they had openly exposed themselves to the media since the declaration of South China, sharing the details of their activities. They claimed they were heralding a new dawn for Asia – aiming for a revival in world history.
Faced with this situation, the Japanese government decided that it was only a matter of time before France (the primary target of their activities) learned about it and chose to take matters into their own hands to resolve it. The punishment of all military and government personnel involved in concealing information in North Japan, the expulsion from public office and deprivation of suffrage due to violations of service regulations, and the implementation of surveillance by the Public Security Police were all decided. In the tradition of the Japanese Empire, which placed a high value on honor, this content amounted to social death. Furthermore, they had intended to impose physical death on those who had joined the South Chinese military.
However, before they could execute their plan, French intelligence agencies became aware of it. Immediately, the French government expressed its regret to Japan (demanding prompt action and an apology) and Japan promptly agreed. Regarding the apology and expression of regret, Japan prepared a response (in terms of sincerity, it was a financial offer) that would satisfy France.
One aspect of this response was the provision of vehicles that had been removed from service, including 200 Type 96 wheeled armored vehicles, which were currently in high demand in French Indochina and difficult for France to procure. The other aspect was priority in the sale of F-9 fighter jets when Japan initiated overseas sales. Japan provided slightly more of what France desired.
France accepted Japan's proposal with a broad smile. Once France resolved the issue, all that remained were the so-called honor-seeking vagabond officers.
Japan conducted an elimination operation in collaboration with France. For those few who remained in French Indochina, assassinations were carried out by an irregular special forces unit (Omega Unit). Under the cover of night, they infiltrated the local area quickly via V-22s departing from the mothership Ōsumi in the Gulf of Tonkin, executed the attacks, and withdrew. This swift operation, which the Vietnamese independence movement, lacking radar and the like, could not handle, was carried out against them.
In contrast, those who were in greater numbers in China were subjected to ruthless punishment. Downtime Japanese in South China were bribed by Chinese nationals, made to participate in a rally for the Pan-Asianism cause, and then the event was bombed with F-3 stealth fighter jets. Local operatives who had been present beforehand confirmed the location, and laser-guided bombings hit the event venue without any mistakes. As a precaution, four laser-guided 2.000 lb bombs were dropped, literally erasing the blast site.
. . .
South China
The bombing was targeting downtime Japanese officers in South China. Despite taking place in the inland regions, the sophisticated bombing left no trace of information regarding the perpetrators, precisely because of this, it made it clear to South China who was responsible.
Furthermore, a prominent figure in South China who had been involved in negotiations with a Russian-Japanese operative (for Japan) candidly asked about this point during a casual conversation at the negotiation table. The response was a smile.
It was an enigmatic smile, unlike what one would expect from someone of Caucasian descent (an Archaic Smile). In the face of this silent response, the Chinese felt a sense of dread and never brought up the topic again.
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Notes
*1: TAI is a Toyota-backed manufacturer specializing in civilian aviation development and production. Toyota entered the aircraft manufacturing industry because they realized that their automotive production capacity was not sufficient in the world after the time slip. While there was strong demand for vehicles such as those required for the development of Siberia, it was not for passenger cars, so they had excess factory capacity. Aircraft manufacturing was considered as a means to make use of these idle facilities and workers.
With their subsidiary Subaru already having an aircraft division, they acquired small and medium-sized domestic aircraft manufacturers and reorganized them into TAI. Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, a major player in aircraft development and manufacturing in Japan, had been expanding into medium-sized or larger passenger aircraft development and production, which Japan had requested. Therefore, TAI primarily focused on the development and sale of small-scale passenger aircraft, considering potential exports outside the Japanese Federation. However, TAI did not intend to limit itself to the sale of small-scale passenger aircraft alone; they planned to refine their technology and eventually develop large-scale passenger aircraft.
Honda, on the other hand, was envious of Toyota's entry into the aviation field. They had a capable aviation division but lost it entirely due to the time slip. However, since the development data was still available, they decided to start anew.
*2: At this point, due to the favorable contact with the Russian-Japanese agent, South China had carefully excluded any wording that would antagonize the outsiders from its declaration. Some of the more radical members of the Pan-Asianists were dissatisfied with this, but the leadership of South China had not been dreaming of a scenario where they could confidently take on the French, let alone Japan and the US.
*3: At this point, the balance in the conflict in French Indochina was tilting towards France. They had the luxury of being on the winning side. It was also the result of throwing the entirety of France's military forces around the world into the conflict without much consideration. While the Vietnamese independence movement had a strong fighting spirit, it did not have substantial support as a world power to keep fighting against France, one of the world's major powers.
The smuggling of people and supplies from China would rapidly decrease as Japan's P-4 ground surveillance aircraft deployed, accompanied by France's sweeping forces. Furthermore, what was fatal was that many of the Pan-Asianism movement members who had come as volunteers had lost their will to fight in the battles of French Indochina, which occurred around the time of South China's declaration of independence. Many of them were now more interested in returning home as quickly as possible and gaining status in South China. This made them practically useless as fighters for the Pan-Asianism movement.
In addition, when considering the impending war against Germany, there was a pragmatic reason for not wanting to antagonize Japan, an alliance partner who could provide crucial land and air support. While it was frustrating that Japan was involved in the turmoil in French Indochina, it was ultimately an overseas issue (a Dominion), and not many French people were dying as a result. Rather, the top priority was to defend France itself. To prevent the war from reaching mainland France, it was necessary to keep Japan on their side.
In that sense, Japan's failure this time was seen as a stroke of luck, and they thanked God for it. While the French were known for their arrogance, they had made calculations of this level.