Negotiations with the British

Indeed, the superpower United States of America has disappeared. However, the USA still actually remains.

There are 400.000 people in the Territory of Hawaii (of which 160.000 are US citizen Japanese-Americans). There are several thousand people in the Aleutians. There are around a thousand or so people in Guam. Additionally, US nationals remain in places such as the Virgin Islands, Cuba, Puerto Rico, and Samoa.

Their stories will be told eventually.

- ほうこうおんち

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The Imperial Conference originally scheduled for September 19 was postponed by a week. On September 21, the confirmed report of the disappearance of North America was received, and based on this, various departments began to make adjustments. Five days were not enough for any conclusions to be reached. However, the matter of the Tripartite Pact between Japan, Germany, and Italy was an issue involving other countries. Even if another extension were needed, it was first necessary to hold a discussion to make a decision.

German diplomat Heinrich Stahmer had not kept up with the changing circumstances.

Like before America's disappearance, he continued to pressure Japan into concluding an alliance. However, the attitude of Foreign Minister Yōsuke Matsuoka, Japan's counterpart, had clearly changed. The Japanese-German alliance, Matsuoka believed, could serve as a threat to America and prevent its intervention. But if America no longer existed, there was no need for such an alliance. He had a vision of a global structure consisting of four blocs: "Western Europe," "East Asia," "America," and "Russia." With America's disappearance, the structure had now changed. Thus, there was no rush.

After the Manchurian Incident, Matsuoka had visited Britain, where he was insulted with the remark, "Japan is a nation of bandits."

He held no sympathy for Britain. He did not postpone the alliance because of any particular sentiment; instead, he wished to observe how Russia would respond once two of the three blocs had aligned.

Heinrich Stahmer consulted with Ambassador Eugen Ott and switched to negotiating the alliance through the Japanese Army. The Japanese Army's stance had not changed since before America's disappearance. With America gone, the conquest of China would proceed smoothly. Joining forces with the powerful Germany, Japan could demonstrate its strength to the world!

The Army's intentions were conveyed through the press, applying pressure on the government. Nevertheless, Matsuoka continued to withhold his decision. At the same time, Deputy Minister of Commerce Kishi visited Matsuoka and presented a more pragmatic discussion.

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"Our ministry also has a Matsuoka, you know, and he is being dispatched to the Total War Research Institute. He was given the information about America's disappearance by a British diplomat."

"Hm."

"Foreign Minister, what do you think is their aim?"

"Well, now that America is gone, they don't want us to ally with Germany. That's the issue."

"Yes, indeed. But what do you think the gift is?"

"A gift... I suppose, if they make demands without offering anything, we wouldn't comply. What does Britain have? Oil, perhaps!?"

"That may be so, but that alone wouldn't be enough to counter those who say, 'Just occupy and take it.'"

"True. Though the army's plan to invade French Indochina was delayed by the recent tsunami, they had such a plan. What they want, they can take by force. If they can liberate Asia as a result, they can kill two birds with one stone."

"Exactly. Exactly."

"So, what conditions have the British proposed?"

"They haven't said anything yet."

"What? What do you mean?"

"They said once America's disappearance is confirmed, they'll negotiate again. They don't intend to sell cheaply. So, how about this: Let's meet and discuss what Britain might offer?"

"...If I do that, I could be branded a traitor. The public is in favor of the Japan-Germany-Italy alliance. I am careful not to be swayed by public sentiment. I'm weighing my words carefully."

"Don't worry. You'll meet with Tōjō-san as well."

"Army Minister Tōjō!?"

Kishi also met with General Hideki Tōjō after Matsuoka and discussed similar matters. His cunning was evident when he told Tōjō, "How about it? Foreign Minister Matsuoka is hoping for your participation."

Tōjō, though often described in various ways, was essentially a loyal servant of the Emperor. He placed utmost importance on the Emperor's wishes, refraining from letting those wishes be overtly expressed to influence politics.

Tōjō knew that the Emperor had studied in Britain as Crown Prince and felt a personal connection to the country. The army was in favor of an alliance with Germany, but Tōjō could not disregard the Emperor's intentions. Tōjō thought it best to meet and listen. Kishi's persuasion was effective enough to convince him to do so.

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"Ah, so you are Matsuoka-kun from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. As we share the same surname, I feel a certain familiarity with you," said Yōsuke Matsuoka as he shook hands with Seijūrō Matsuoka.

He then saluted Tōjō.

"How do you feel about the current situation?" Tōjō asked, taking on the demeanor of an interviewer.

'I must be careful with my answer.'

Matsuoka remembered what Kishi had told him about being cautious in how he presented himself.

"I am not so presumptuous as to interfere with the nation's decision-making. I have merely facilitated the negotiations with Britain. If I am permitted to speak my opinion, I would say that we should never engage in a deal that would harm Japan. That is my belief."

It was a safe answer, but one that was also patriotic.

Tōjō pressed on. "Do you think we should follow Britain's argument?"

"Britain, to put it bluntly, is a liar. After the Great European War, it was their deceitful diplomacy that caused chaos in the Arabian Peninsula. We must not be deceived. I believe we should not follow them."

"But you are the mediator with Britain, are you not?"

"I have accepted that role without letting personal feelings interfere. Your Excellency has asked for my opinion, and what I have said is my personal belief. As for what is best for Japan, that is for those in higher positions to decide. If I were to make a judgment, it would not be based on personal feelings, but rather on the public good."

It seemed that Tōjō was pleased with this answer. He placed his trust in the bureaucrat. Gaining Tōjō's trust would greatly benefit Seijūrō Matsuoka's future actions.

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"Thank you for coming," said British Ambassador to Japan, Robert Craigie, accompanied by the recently reassigned Military Attaché, Major General Francis Piggott, who had been expected to leave, and also Sansom.

On the Japanese side, Foreign Minister Yōsuke Matsuoka, intermediary Seijūrō Matsuoka, and as observers, Nobusuke Kishi and Hideki Tōjō participated.

"We have been greatly affected by the disappearance of the United States," Ambassador Craigie stated bluntly, to which Yōsuke Matsuoka replied, "Of course, that's to be expected."

"This Major General Pigott served as an attendant during His Majesty the Emperor's visit to Britain. He is opposed to the abrogation of the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, and so am I. The United Kingdom recognizes the strength of the Japanese Empire."

'I see, so they are quite eloquent.'

Is this how British diplomats usually speak?

Without hesitation, the conversation continued fluidly.

"So, you want us to stop the alliance with Germany and instead renew the Anglo-Japanese Alliance, is that what you're suggesting?"

"Your Excellency, can Japan, on the verge of concluding an alliance, be so impolite as to stop it? I have no intention of asking you to halt the alliance with Germany."

This was, of course, a lie. The real goal was to prevent the alliance from happening. Both Matsuoka and Tōjō could see this, but with the British diplomat saying so, they couldn't outright deny it.

"Then, what exactly are you asking for?"

"We wish to ask for your mediation in bringing about peace between Germany and us."

"What do you mean?"

"With the disappearance of the United States, the United Kingdom and the Japanese Empire are now neighboring countries across the sea. As neighbors, we ask that you help mediate peace with Germany."

At this point, Tōjō, despite the diplomatic nature of the conversation, interjected.

"I've heard that Britain is already cornered in aerial battles with Germany. Your country is on the brink of defeat. Supporting such a country would make Germany distrust us as a friendly nation."

Craigie, with the grace of a diplomat, laughed off the provocation.

"When did the United Kingdom lose? We are winning."

"Winning? What do you mean?"

"Just as you cannot believe America's disappearance, we do not speak lies. Please, see for yourself. Germany's air force will soon reach its limit. If Japan mediates, Hitler himself will be pleased. His actual aim is a ceasefire with Britain. As fellow nations, he has no desire to attack us. We fought Germany for our alliances with Poland and France, and we are not losing. If Japan acts as a mediator, it will align with Hitler's will, and our country will be grateful, and Japan's name will be praised around the world. No one stands to lose."

"So, if Japan mediates, what does it gain?" Matsuoka, sensing Britain's control over the situation, could not help but ask.

"We will export oil from Malaya, and we will open India's market to Japan."

"India's market?"

"Yes. Furthermore, we will cease our support of China. This way, Japan will gain access to both the Chinese and Indian markets, which together amount to billions."

"Let me think about it."

Matsuoka realized he had lost the upper hand in the negotiations. In terms of diplomacy, Britain had been leading the conversation. However, even if he had lost, the terms presented were highly beneficial for Japan's national interest. Moreover, there was nothing to lose. The alliance with Germany could remain intact, and Japan could simply play the role of mediator.

The group returned after the negotiations with the British.

"This will do. We have prevented Japan from striking at us from behind. For now, this is enough. If a ceasefire is reached, Germany will turn its focus on the communists. We can reorganize after that," said Viscount Halifax, the British Foreign Minister, after hearing the outcome.

As a member of the appeasement faction toward Germany, he believed this would end Britain's war. In truth, if a peace settlement with Britain were achieved, Hitler would have no interest in crossing the Strait of Dover.

However, the real crisis would come from an unexpected direction. That crisis would appear in a few months.

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The next update will be at 15:00. There are two more updates scheduled for today.

- ほうこうおんち