A multiplayer theory on the new Japan focus tree

[mjb2k]

This is what I think the new focus tree will play out and how useful some of these focuses will in a multiplayer setting.

Purge the Kodoha = 120 PP

Guide the Zaibatsus - Could mean reducing the cost of Economic advisors by 25% PP (or some amount) but definitly influences the industrial political power companies

Liaison Conference - Means some sorta of military focus, could be that the focus reduces military advisor PP cost or could potentially mean extra army experience or generals being upgraded by a level. There are obviously some army/navy/airforce repercussions

Sign Triparite Pact - Probably a focus that increases relations with Germany so you can join the axis faction, most likely intended to join the axis in singleplayers game.

Greater East-Asian Co-propsperity Sphere - Could form a faction with Japans current allies/puppets or could potentially raise the relations with countries like Siam and Philipines and degrade relations with all the western powers. A simple political focus probably not much use in MP.

These first 5 focuses have more to with the political tree than the current tree meets entirely. Arguably these could have more signifigant political power bonuses but from reading the history and text, it's hard to say a hardline stance on the political power that it may offer. Paradox loves to increase relations with AI however, so there's a good chance some of those focuses do that.

Nationalize War Inustry - This is a very vague term that doesn't have any meaning in Japanese history pre-war and due to the icon probably means extra military factories, although they may mix it up and could be a couple mils and a couple of civs. Probably a useful focus in MP no doubt. (any mils or civs for free is good xD).

Nationalize Mobilization Law - This law actually existed in the 1930s, however its a very vague law at best and could mean either an industry bonus or perhaps a manpower bonus. Historically the law was to draft people into labor positions where the war industry required them the most, it also however was meant to control the economy and media during the war agaisnt China. I think this could replace imperial austerity, or provide some industry bonus like output or excavation bonuses.

National Research Policy - Given the fact that it only takes 3 focuses to get the current research slot, I think this focus provides your fifth research slot which would require you to do 4 focuses (so one extra). Most likely going to be the first focuse goal a MP Japan is going to do.

National Defense State - I couldn't find anything about a law in Japans history about this focus. Although due to it being in a realm that is surrounded by industrial focuses, probably will be an extra industrial focus or stepping stone to Spiritual Mobilization

Spiritual Mobilization - This could potentially mean more war support because part of this actual event during Japans history was about promoting war interests prior/during to the 2nd Japanese-sino war. So I could imagine it doing a sort of war support gain focus, it could also just be the same as is in our current focus tree (+ 2.5% recruitable pop.) but I wouldn't be surprised if they changed it and made it a bit more interesting...

Although I can't read it, that focus behind the paradox dev to the right is probably a Showa Spirit something - No idea tbh can't tell.


Intervene in China & Secure China - One of these is obviously a war goal to annex China. I can't tell you which because they're extremely vague and perhaps Secure China is some kind of way to annex all of the Cliques if China decides to not do the United Front. Again, one of these is a war goal but I can't tell you which.

Develop Chinese Resources - I think this one is pretty obvious... Just puts some resources of some type in China (hopefully alluminum) I can't say which however.

Strike South Doctrine - Likely war goals agaisnt Dutch East Indies and the UK (not worth for MP)

Non-aggression with Soviets - Well the name kinda implies it doesn't it? (not worth for MP)

Bypass Philipines/ Secure Philipines - This could mean 1 or 2 options (in my opinion) the first may actually puppet the Philipines from the USA if your at war, the next option is probably a war goal agaisnt the Philipines. This may be worth it in MP... If the philipines r AI and have a focus tree, but doubtful probably still won't do this.

Alliance with Siam - Probably allows Siam to become your puppet or join your faction (not very useful in MP just annex them)

Time to talk about the second part of the focus tree

Manchurian Project Focus - Gateway into the focus tree it seems, hard to tell what it does however. Could be similar to "general rearmament" where it adds a couple of civs perhaps in Manchuria, or Infrastructure.

Expand the Showa Steel Works - Probably increases steel in manchuria, which is quite worth it actually. It is worth it because you can steal all that steal from Manchukuo. So if it gives like 20 + steel you get all that steel for free (or one factory from trade). If that changes of course, then... maybe it won't be worth it.

Develop Alluminum Sources - See this may actually make the previous focus worth it because alluminum is the one resource Japan doesn't have and can't get a lot of it. So if this focus adds a substansial amount of allum. (20+) its a good focus for Japan to once again steal Manchukuos industry.

Fortify the border - Absolute rubbish focus, it either builds forts on China border, but most likely soviet border. But lets face it... That ♥♥♥♥ ain't gonna matter ever.

Heavy Industry Focus - There is a prerequisite focus that I can't tell what it is. This focus likely gives Manchuria a few civs or mils. If there is a player, its probably worth it. If you plan on later annexing them, its probably worth it as well.


Army expansion law - Unknown what this does. Obviously involves the army, could mean some type of army research bonuses or perhaps military factories. Could also mean reducing the cost of type of equipment.

New Naval Estimates - I think this adds a bunch of dockyards to Japan, it would make sense because this will replace the naval dockyard focuses.

Fighter modernization - probably gives a 50% bonus towards fighters, this is actually a positive for Japan and improvement because it only takes 2 focuses vs 3 from the previous one.
Agility focus/ Range focus - probably increases ths agility on your fighters by some % like 10% perhaps. Range probably does the same for range.

Carrier Warfare - probably does a couple of 50% bonuses towards naval doctrines for carriers. I'd prefer this be a carrier bonus for carriers 3s and it could be that.

First air fleet - Could potentially be a carrier fighter bonus, normal fighter bonus or a carrier bonus.

The Zero - Not really sure, could be a 50% bonus for carrier fighters or a 50% fighter for bonuses not really sure. Maybe allows kamikazes, can't tell.

Unified Fighter Development - this has to be a 50% or 100% fighter bonus for fighters if none of the previous focuses were like that.

Bomber moderization - probably a tac or Naval/Cas bomber 50% bonus, this might severely change tac bomber Japans strategies because the tac bomber focus comes later than normal and it may not be worth it because there r likely better ones.


Strategic bomber effort - 50% bonuses for strats clearly, obviously not going to be worth it because most servers have it where strats are banned.

Jet Prototypes - This is only worth it if you can actually manage to get jet fighters in 41 in which case you would totally meme the game but hey! You now have jet fighters congrats!

Cruiser Modernization - Probably a 50% bonus to heavy and another 50% bonus toward light cruisers, exactly the same in the focus that exists today.

Long Lance Torperdos - Probably gives that 100% torperdo range bonus as similar to the current focus.

Torpedo Cruisers - Not really sure tbh. Perhaps another 50% bonus for light Cruisers but this will definitly never be worth in an MP game unless you are really focusing on navy.

Modern escorts - Escorts make it sound like it gives bonuses towards destroyers, but the picture is of a submarine. So perhaps it gives both? This could definitly be worth the focus if you can get destroyer 4s pretty quick or sub 4s

Expand the SNLF - 50% bonus to amphibious ships or/and 50% bonus to marine technology, nothing to it, its an OK focus probably.

It's worth noting that these naval focuses will probably provide naval experience for each focus (as the current one does).

Supremacy of the battleship - Will never be worth it because you can't go down half of your fighter focuses.

Army expansion II - Probably does the same as the first but second time, makes me think it gives doctrine bonuses

Small arms modernization - Probably gives a few 50% bonuses towards infantry equipment

Supremacy of the technology - Not sure honestly, the symbol provides two wrenches and like... It makes me think its some kind of industry/army bonus. Perhaps it decreases equipment cost, I think thats the most likely option.

Modern artillery - research bonuses towards artillery

Armored divisions - Most likely a few armor technology research bonuses (1 or 2 at most)

Supremacy of the will - I think this may increase division recovery rate, but to be honest not sure but thats my best guess.

Bicycle Battalions - Likely a couple of research bonuses towards support companies(edited)

Remember this is coming from a multiplayer perspective from someone who has played well over 700 hours as Japan in MP. These are my thoughts and feel free to challenge them or what have you.

~MJ