Winter in Japan, Winter in Europe

In November 1940, the Kingdom of Thailand advanced into French Indochina with the goal of recovering its former territories (Cambodia and Laos), which had been taken by France.

Japan had already stationed its military in northern French Indochina following the establishment of the pro-German Vichy government. Since Japan no longer had the need, it had no intention of advancing further into southern French Indochina. This was because they could import resources once again.

However, Thailand, which could not fully grasp the details of the situation, believed that if Japan were to invade southern French Indochina, it would place the former territories under Japanese occupation, making it difficult to demand them back.

Although Thailand was skilled in diplomacy, being a tropical country without direct access to the Pacific or Atlantic Oceans, it could not fully understand the circumstances surrounding Japan and Britain.

- ほうこうおんち

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It feels like World War II has come to an end.

German soldiers are moving to the Eastern Front, but no fighting is taking place. Italy has begun its invasion of Greece. However, Hitler adopted the attitude of "If you want to do it, feel free."

Since peace has been made with Britain, even if Britain allies with Greece and Italy is defeated, Germany will not be attacked from that direction. Having subdued France, made peace with Britain, and with America now gone, the only enemy Hitler needed to defeat was the Soviet Union.

The actions of the Italian army in North Africa, which were launched in September, were halted through diplomatic channels because there was no longer a need to fight Britain. Italy can now focus all its efforts on the Greek campaign. However, in an unexpected turn of events—or perhaps because it's Italy—they are defeated by the isolated Greek army at the Battle of Epirus. Afterward, Mussolini dismissed the commander and sent a new commander along with six additional divisions. Despite this, they still could not win, and worse, they allowed a Greek counter-offensive into Albania.

"Just what are they doing!?"

Hitler was irritated. Having such an ally gives Germany no international prestige.

'Should I intervene?'

He thought for a moment, but Britain's actions were completely unclear. They only hinted at possibly joining the war against Italy but sent a message to Germany saying "Our country will not intervene at all, and we expect you to remain neutral as well."

'Britain's movements are strange. Would a country that has always interfered in continental affairs suddenly become quiet just because America is gone?'

Hitler felt suspicious about this, but he was still busy preparing for the invasion of the Soviet Union (Operation Barbarossa), which would begin with the thaw. By March 1941, the operation would be launched, and as the snow melted, German troops would advance across the Russian steppe. He sent Italy a letter that said, "We wish for peace (until the invasion of the Soviet Union)," informing them that Germany would not assist in a one-on-one war.

Still, this winter was cold and windy. Though, this kind of cold wave had been experienced before. Winter is always cold, but spring always comes.

"Gentlemen, don't you think it was the right decision not to attack the Soviet Union this year?"

The staff laughed along. But of course, they didn't want to repeat Napoleon's mistake of arriving in Russia in winter.

"We don't want to make excuses like 'General Winter arrived early.'"

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On the other hand, in Japan, the Pacific side is experiencing a mild winter.

The 1930s were a miserable time for the Tōhoku region. In 1934 and 1935 (Shōwa 9 and 10), many farmers suffered from crop failures caused by cold weather. Sympathizing with the dire situation, young officers in the army even caused incidents. The cold weather, poor harvests, and famines had become traumatic memories.

"There's an old saying: 'A mild winter brings a poor summer harvest.'"

The warmth being felt now brings more anxiety than hope to the farmers of Tōhoku.

"Is the rice this year going to be bad too...?"

The farmers are filled with dread in this unseasonably warm winter.

Meanwhile, Niigata has been experiencing heavy snowfall. This winter, it has set a new record for heavy snow. It's still only December, but the snow is already heavy.

"Still, it's not that cold."

"Yeah. It's that wet, heavy snow."

When it's cold, the snow is powdery. What's falling now is heavy, damp snow, which occurs when the air above is moist. It's snowy, but not that cold.

A strange incident occurs.

A navy sailor from Yokosuka, who had been swimming in the cold water as part of a toughness test, dies. After an autopsy is performed to diagnose, the military doctor diagnosed that he "died after a bite from an octopus."

"Octopus? Like the kind used for vinegar-marinated octopus or sashimi?"

"It's not a tasty octopus. This one was caught in the sea where the accident happened."

"It's quite small. How could something like this kill a person?"

"Do you see this bite mark here?"

"This mark, on the finger?"

"Yes, that's it. This bite mark allowed venom to be injected."

"Sensei, that's odd. Are there poisonous octopuses?"

"There are. The type is called the blue-ringed octopus. It's not found in these waters, but it lives in the warm seas to the south."

"Oh, I didn't know that. You really know a lot, Sensei."

"I've been to the South Pacific islands. I saw one there."

"Interesting. But why is it here, in Yokosuka?"

"Well...?"

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Meanwhile, the China front was active.

On November 24, the Central Hubei Operation (Han River Operation) was launched, achieving great results. The disappearance of America, the closer ties between Japan and Britain, and the peace between Britain and Germany had no impact on this front. In the Japanese Army, civilian control is ineffective when it comes to military operations at the front lines.

The operation continued until December 2. On November 30, Japan officially recognized Wang Jingwei's Nanjing government and announced the Japan-Manchukuo-China Joint Declaration. In response, Britain, previously taking a different stance, now recognized Wang Jingwei. In exchange, they proposed Japan's participation in the Japan-Manchukuo-China economic bloc.

"After all the support they gave to Chiang Kai-shek through the Burma Road, now they're conveniently switching sides!"

"Should we attack the British colonies in Burma from Yunnan?"

The Army was excited, but Britain's trump card, "Opening the markets of the British Raj to Japan," proved effective.

Despite the enthusiasm of the young officers in the army, the leadership is more grounded in reality. Next, after the Indian market, oil exports from British Malaya (Malaysia) will resume. While the front-line troops remained in place, the homeland worked on improving relations with Britain.

This came as a shock to Chiang Kai-shek. The mere fact that the United States has disappeared was a blow to him. And then, Britain's departure. Chiang Kai-shek sent his wife, Soong Mei-ling, to Britain, hoping to foster pro-China sentiments there, similar to what they had done with the United States.

Meanwhile, Mao Zedong who is hiding in some unknown location requests increased support from the Soviet Union. For him, it would be ideal if Chiang Kai-shek's forces were destroyed. However, if that left the Japanese army intact, it would be meaningless. He needs both to collapse together. Mao had also heard about the disappearance of the United States.

'The giant of capitalism has fallen. Now it's the Soviet Union's time,' he thought to himself.

He could not afford to miss the opportunity. The vast land of China must also quickly be brought into the communist sphere.

But the Soviet Union does not act. No, it cannot act.

It's too cold. It's far too cold.

This cannot be directly attributed to the disappearance of the United States. Siberia is normally cold, and major operations cannot be undertaken at this time.

Many prisoners have frozen to death in Siberia. This is not the result of the United States' disappearance. It's just the usual consequence of being sent to Siberia. But the Soviet Union has not yet noticed. Indeed, central Siberia will continue to be even colder than before. However, eastern Siberia will transform into a land of hope. The climate conditions remain the same, but...

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At the Total War Research Institute, Matsuoka seems to have succeeded in protecting himself by becoming known as "Army Minister Tōjō's favorite" and "Is he a relative of Foreign Minister Matsuoka? A son-in-law???"

These rumors have helped him avoid danger.

In this case, "protecting oneself" means "avoiding being noticed by the Special Higher Police."

The Special Higher Police observe those who have contact with foreigners, initially considering them to be potential spies. There are even those who, once they have targeted someone, conclude that they must be suspicious, and they follow them around, capturing them for trivial reasons and forcing confessions. Avoiding such dangers was a significant relief.

The full-scale operation of the Total War Research Institute will begin at the start of the fiscal year. Until then, it's a preparation period, and Matsuoka finds himself going back and forth between the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Institute. In the name of information gathering, he has more opportunities to meet with army staff officers, often accompanied by Deputy Minister Kishi.

"You'll meet all kinds of people from now on. Having a wide network never hurts!" Kishi said.

However, many of the people in Kishi's network are quite belligerent military officers, and caution is required in their interactions. This network was built during the Manchukuo era and has naturally evolved from there, resulting in its current state.

Matsuoka thinks to himself, 'I can't quite figure out what Deputy Minister Kishi is really thinking.'

He feels this way, yet today he is once again dragged to a high-class restaurant.

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"Your counterpart seems to have taken the elite path," George Sansom said to Ambassador Craigie, who had invited him for tea.

When the people you interact with are close to the core of the state, it gives more significance to diplomatic relations.

"It seems Japan is still alright."

The meaning of "alright" is multifaceted — it could mean that Japan is still open to being courted by Britain, that the effects of climate change are minimal, or that various things can still be communicated between the two nations.

"However, I still can't believe it. That huge New World is disappearing without a trace," the ambassador sighed.

Sansom shared his sentiments. Even for them, they hadn't seen it with their own eyes. They were acting on what they had been told, but there was still a lingering feeling of 'Could this be some elaborate joke?'

"Things will get really busy after the new year. Enjoy Christmas this year. Next year's Christmas may not be as relaxing," the ambassador wisely advised.

Of course, the ambassador was also telling this to himself.

The ambassador had received a telegram from home, proposing a joint scientific survey between Japan and Britain of the area where North America used to be. Before Japan's New Year holiday, it would be submitted to the relevant government agencies.

The Atlantic has its hurricane season. The effects of the continent's disappearance were unclear, but it was precisely because they didn't know that they were taking precautions based on what was known. A survey team would be sent during the winter. They planned to make a request to Japan by the end of the year and send out the survey team right after the new year. The ceasefire had been enacted, but the British were not so naïve as to think it would last forever. They decided to do what they could while they still could.

'The year when the unbelievable happened is coming to an end. Let's pray that next year will be one where things return to a sense of normalcy.'

In warm Tokyo, the ambassador prayed to the heavens. But that wish would not be granted.

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......Meanwhile, in Europe, many refugees were taken by death.

Europe was in the grip of a harsh winter, with a powerful cold front sitting over Paris, where temperatures had dropped to below -10°C on the ground. Of those who lost their homes due to Germany's invasion or were forcibly relocated, one million froze to death. However, they would later learn that this was just the beginning.

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The next chapter will be on the 13th at 17:00.

- ほうこうおんち