Empire of the Rising Sun


 * This article covers Japan in the Red Alert  storyverse, which has split off from the Tiberium-storyverse: for info on this country in the Tiberium-verse, see "Japan"

The Empire of the Rising Sun is the Imperial regime of  Japan, led by the Emperor and the Shogunate. Located in East Asia, the Empire is the third superpower with the Allies and the Soviet Union. The Empire of the Rising Sun suddenly emerged to World War III to seek its "divine destiny" to subjugate mankind to serve the Emperor and rule the world without capitalism and communism. Influenced by nationalism, militarism and imperialism, the Empire has adopted aggressive policies, viewing the Allies and Soviets nothing more than "barbaric oppressors". The Empire of the Rising Sun accidentally came to existence in the current timeline, in which the greatest mind of the 20th century, Albert Einstein, was removed from space-time continuum by "future" Premier Cherdenko. Currently however they are trying to repair the aftermath of Forever Sets the Sun.

Mandate
A nationalistic, zealous army of warriors willing to lay down their lives for their godlike Emperor and his vision. The Empire of the Rising Sun runs a strictly-disciplined military that takes great pride in its futuristic weaponry and ruthless tactics.

Bases of Operations

 * WWII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * WWIII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * WWIV: Main base of operation in Tokyo, Japan. Other command posts identified at Mt Fuji, the Black Tortoise, Yokohoma Harbor, and Pearl Harbor Naval Base, Hawaii.
 * Uprising: Tokyo

Head of State

 * During WWII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * During WWIII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * During WWIV: Emperor Yoshiro
 * Uprising Era: Prince Tatsu, under supervision of Allied Occupation Forces

Ideology

 * WWII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * WWIII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * WWIV: Militaristic, imperialist government, with some fascist and nationalist ideals. Zealous followers lay down their lives for their Emperor and his vision. The Emperor is the supreme ruler and head of state. Under him served a Shogunate, comprised of representatives from all corners of the Empire.
 * Uprising: Reunited the Empire.

Military strength

 * GWWII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * GWWIII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * WWIII: A secretly constructed, strictly-disciplined, technologically advanced army, consisting of hi-tech weaponry, heavy walkers, robots, amphibious Tanks, nanotechnology, transforming mechanical vehicles, advanced naval warships and psionics, influenced by Anime. However, they are, by far, the weakest force in Air power - this is compensated by their Naval supremacy. On ground, they are weaker than the Soviets, but stronger than the Allies.
 * Uprising: Same as before, only difference is the addition of the following units: the Steel Ronin, the Giga Fortress and the Archer Maiden.

Economic strength

 * WWII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * WWIII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * WWIV: Assumed to be a massive monopoly, with enough resources and manpower to rival both the Allies and the Soviet Union.
 * Uprising: Same as before

Political strength

 * GWWII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * GWWIII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * WWIII: The Empire has Japan under its control, along with its conquered territories in Asia and the Pacific.
 * Uprising: Same as before

Affilations

 * WWII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * WWIII: Not Applicable (Empire does not exist)
 * WWIV: The Imperial Shogunate and conquered territories in Asia.
 * Uprising: Crown Prince Tatstu is allied with the Allied Forces against the Rebellion in Japan.

Formation
The Empire of Japan transformed into the Empire of the Rising Sun after 1927 following two significant temporal events: the erasure of Adolf Hitler by Albert Einstein in 1924, and the erasure of Einstein by Anatoly Cherdenko in 1927. By the, the Empire extended to Oahu in the mid-Pacific.

Spurred by Emperor Yoshiro's vision of "divine destiny" and global hegemony, the Empire undertook a significant expansion of its armed forces prior to the Third World War. The Allies and Soviets estimated the Empire's resources as greatly inferior to their own. The sophistication and scale of the build up, including notable developments in Wave-Force and psionic technology, went largely unnoticed.

Third World War
Imperial strategy took advantage of circumstances generated by the war between the Allies and Soviet Union. The concentration of Soviet forces in Western Europe was an opportunity not to be missed. The Imperial bid for world domination opened with an offensive on the relatively poorly defended Soviet Union.

Emperor Yoshiro waited until the Allies expended themselves pushing the Soviets out of Western Europe before announcing the Empire's ambitions to the world. The deployment of floating fortresses into the North Sea and western Mediterranean to force European submission coincided with the announcement. The question then becomes: can the upstart Empire fulfilled its destiny and triumph over two global superpowers?

The Allies and Soviets organized a truce and a combined European counter-offensive against the Empire. The North Sea fortress was destroyed when its power reactors were induced to overloaded by enemy action. With the immediate threat to Europe removed the Allies began planning an attack on the Japan.

With the war developing apace the Supreme Shogunate held a meeting in Tokyo. Allied spies learned of this and an Allied-Soviet strike on Tokyo was organized to eliminate the Imperial leadership. While Soviet forces quietly abandoned the offensive to prepare for a resumption of operations against the Allies, the Allied component was equal to the task. With their top leaders captured or killed the Empire's war effort came to a halt. The Empire eventually conceded defeat and accepted Allied occupation.

Alternate Imperial Victory
If the answer is "yes", the end of the war will see King Onis cutting down flags of their fallen foes across the globe, FutureTech (the Allies premier defense firm) will be razed to the ground, the Shogun Executioner will level Moscow and the Kremlin and finally the Imperial Commander responsible for the victory will be promoted to Supreme Shogun. Soon after he takes leave on Hawaii to join Suki Toyama for a vacation.

Alternate Soviet Victory
If the Soviet Union gains the upper hand, then it's all over for the Empire. The USSR laid waste to the Imperial Palace complex at Mt. Fuji, and felled Emperor Yoshiro as he made his last stand in his Red King Oni among the ruins.

Uprising
After the Allies besieged Tokyo and defeated the Empire of the Rising Sun in Great World War IIII, they installed a puppet government in its place, under the rule of Crown Prince Tatsu, who has been forced to cooperate with the Allies - the remaining shogunates, Shinzo, Takara and Kenji, were none too happy with the concept of a puppet Empire at all and started to rebel against this new government, gathering their forces to overthrow the Allied control and Tatsu's government of their beloved Land of the Rising Sun. Little do they suspect that Emperor Tatsu had other plans for the Allied and Soviet "barbarians" at Northern Japan. After capturing with Allied assistance all the Imperial commanders, Tatsu betrayed the Allies in an attempt to destroy them, but despite the assistance of a Gigafortress and a stolen Chronosphere he was defeated and captured by the Allies. With Tatsu and the other Imperial commanders captured, now the Empire of the Rising Sun no longer exists.

Military Doctrine
See Also: Imperial Units and Structures Summary

"With enough time, any man may master the physical. With enough knowledge, any man may become wise. It is a true warrior who can master both."

- Emperor Yoshiro



The Imperial military is a unique blend of Japanese tradition and technology.The Empire maintains it's well known discipline and loyalty through the philosophy of bushido and reverence for the ancient warriors known as Samurai. The Imperial order of battle includes high tech, highly versatile transforming units, more traditional ones and a living weapon - namely a young female commando with psychic powers, Yuriko Omega. Although traditionally considered a dishonourable way to fight there are a few stealth units. Female warriors are another modern adaptation. The Imperial Commander has access to Another unique Imperial technology, the Nanocore, which allows the Empire to extend its control far and wide, building structures in distant location from the Construction Yard.

Under Emperor Yoshiro, Imperial military campaigns usually involve attacking an enemy by surprise with overwhelming force and demoralising the enemy into submission. To this end, the Empire concentrated their military operations against symbolic targets as well as using the media to win hearts and minds. This approach did not always work. One of the Emperor's more outspoken (by Imperial standards) critic is Crown Prince Tatsu, who advocated a simpler approach to war - namely killing all who stand in their way.

The New Archer Maiden and Steel Ronin proven to be new deadly imperial weapons in the infantry force.

Imperial Army


Imperial vehicles, like the Tsunami Tank and the Sudden Transport, are lightly armed and armored, but amphibious.

Some vehicles (like Tengus and VX Copters) are capable of Transforming From a vehicle into a robot and back again (or, as is the case of the Seawing, have multiple vehicle modes).

Like most Imperial units, the Wave-Force artillery, is not to be underestimated under any circumstances. It is capable of firing single, Powerful shots (which take some time to reload), or quicker, less powerful shots.

The monstrous King Oni can smash MBT-X8 Guardian Tank and Hammer Tanks to bits, and even rival Apocalypse Tanks and Assault Destroyers in terms of firepower and strength.

The newest weapon, the Shogun Executioner, is one of the most deadly robotic units fielded by the Empire, along with the Gigafortress.

Imperial Navy


The Imperial Navy rivals the Soviets, mainly because of the sophisticated technology used by the Navy. The Imperial Navies arsenal Includes the AA Sea Wing, the Shogun Battleship and the Naginata Cruiser. Yari Minisubs are not as tough as the Soviet Akulas, but they are faster and their Kamikaze attacks were proven deadly against capital ships, such as Dreadnoughts. Naginatas rival Akulas and Assault Destroyers with the ability to fire up to five torpedoes, which does severe damage to enemies, but also to allies as well, if executed carelessly.

Sea Wings are similar to Striker VXs in ground support, only they turn from AA Subs into anti-infantry aircraft, not anti-tank gunships. They must surface to fire.

The crown jewel of the Imperial Navy, the Shogun Battleship, is similar to the old Allied Cruisers in terms of bombardment firepower, only non-hostile vessels dare to stand in front of it - its high-speed ramming ability is the main reason why.

The Giga Fortress is made to truly rule the sea and the skies as an all purpose battle fortress.

Imperial Air Force


The Imperial Air Force is quite unique. The Air force uses Striker/Chopper VX, the Mecha/Jet Tengu and the Sea/Sky-Wing - all which can transform from air to naval/ground units. Rocket Angels are also flown in for support. Despite all this, the skies are not their strong suit (except Giga Fortresses) and Imperial Aircraft had to be deployed in overwhelming numbers.


 * The Burst Drones fly around and detect enemy Infiltrators, rigged with Self-Destruction devices.


 * The Mecha/Jet Tengu turns into a high speed interceptor (Jet mode) which rivals Apollos and MiGs, though they are inferior to both, unless used in numbers. They are mainly used in numbers or used to attack aircraft that do not have weapons to fight back, namely bombers and helicopters. Has unlimited ammo and earned its reputation as an effective unit at Stalingrad.


 * The Striker/Chopper VX turns into an Assault Chopper which rivals the Soviet Twinblade. Although compared to the Twinblade, it is a good deal weaker but has a faster rate of fire.


 * The Sea Wing also transforms into the infantry-hunting Sky Wing, it is by far the weakest of the close air support aircraft unless used in numbers.


 * The latest addition to the Imperial Air Force, the Giga Fortress, was built to replace - and be a better bomber than - the Sea Wing, thanks to its powerful new weapon, codenamed the "God's Breath" Device. It is also able to transform into a floating, naval battle fortress that can take on entire armadas of ships and aircraft - and come out on top.

Tactics
"What I really hate is a backstabbing cheat! I thought the Japanese fought with honor!"

- Allied Commander Lissette's response to the sneaky Imperial tactics in Barbarians at the Bay

The military of the Empire of the Rising Sun is bound by Bushido, an ancient military doctrine updated for the modern world. Imperial units use their speed to make hit and run attacks deep into enemy territory where close range compensates for their lack of armour. Should their initial attack fail, true to their code they will conduct suicide attacks rather than suffer the dishonour of surrender,(embodied in the notorious banzai charge) and just maybe aid other friendly units in accomplishing the objective. It was HRH Crown Prince Tatsu who realised that in battle, the right unit at the right time can ensure victory, out of this came the VX family of units and the sea/air wing. Units which can switch from land to air or sea to air vehicles at a moment's notice. Additional note, while not strictly in keeping with the Samurai image, the Empire does maintain stealthier units like the Shinobi and Sudden Transport which are able to carry out covert missions behind enemy lines.

Technology Level
"Technologically they are quite advanced"

- Cherdenko referring to the technological superiority of the Imperials

The Empire of the Rising Sun has an impressive tally of technological achievements, and an impressively high technology military; advanced beyond the level of the Soviet Union and at least equal to the Allied nations.

Recon Intel has gathered the following Imperial technological achievements:


 * Archer Maidens bow and arrows
 * Giga Fortresses
 * Gods Breath Device
 * Robotics: Pilot assisted and AI-conrolled
 * VX Technology
 * Nanotechnology: Nanocores
 * Lasers
 * Wave-Force weapons
 * Psionics
 * Fortified Fleet Upgrade
 * Anime
 * Floating fortresses such as the Black Tortoise
 * Tankbuster Plasma Cutters
 * Beam Katana
 * Imperial warrior beam rifles
 * Honorable Discharge Upgrade
 * Walkers
 * Shirada cannons
 * Prow-Mounted Ramming Shield
 * Balloon Bombs
 * Nanoswarm Hive
 * Advanced Rocket Pods
 * Rocket Angel-exclusive Flight Suits
 * Torpedos
 * Tsunami Tank's Plasma Cannon
 * Rumored Cloning Technology

Emperor Yoshiro
"Do not struggle against what is inevitable!"

- Emperor Yoshiro's Ultimatum

The Emperor of the Rising Sun. The longtime ruler of the Empire of the Rising Sun, he is cherished as a living god by his people and the military. Emperor Yoshiro is a traditionalist who strictly follows the code of bushido, the samurai way of the warrior. He fundamentally believes that the Rising Sun's destiny is to rule the entire world, he is Emperor by divine right and that his fate is preordained. He rarely shows emotion and often speaks in a seemingly wise tone.

While the Soviets and Allies were fighting each other, Yoshiro was building up a massive high-tech military force bent on world domination, and demands that both the Allies and Soviets submit to Imperial dominance. In case his Imperial Palace is destroyed, Yoshiro will jump in his own personal King Oni for a last resort.

In the Imperial Campaign he gave Commander *Name Classified* the honorable title of Supreme Shogun.

Suki Toyama
"The opportunity is here to destroy the Russian barbarians once and for all!"

- Suki before Crumble Kremlin Crumble Begins

Intelligence Officer for the Imperial military and a childhood friend of Tatsu. She performs the same function as Lt. Eva does for the Allies, and like Eva, develops an attraction to the up and coming Commander. In the end of WWIII in the Imperial perspective, she's last seen in a bikini inviting the Commander, now Supreme Shogun, to join her a vacation in the tropics.

Toyoma High Command was named after her.

Crown Prince Tatsu
"I want their hearts and souls, commander. But I also want Krukov's head on a stick!"

- Prince Tatsu on the preparations for the Battle of Odessa

Yoshiro's son and heir. He is a major figure in the Imperial armed forces and directs many of the missions against the Empire's enemies. He wants to lead Japan on a more modern path, unlike his father's traditional way of thinking.

In the Imperial perspective of the War, he is revealed to be responsible for certain Imperial technologies such as the Shogun Executioner and the Howard T. Ackerman android. He takes command after Yoshiro's resignation and orders the commander to swiftly defeat the Soviets and Allies, earning his father's respect. Tatsu is later able to cheer up his father with the prospect that the Empire is creating their own destiny.

Also in the final battle of Tokyo he had his own personal fleet to protect Tokyo but Lissette and the Commander defeated him.

Commando Yuriko Omega
"They won't bother us anymore."

- Yuriko, ordered to destroy

See "Yuriko" Datafile for information.

Yuriko Clone
See "Yuriko" Datafile again for the second Yuriko.

Kenji Tenzai
"With me at your side you'll sure have the advantage."

- Kenji

A shogunate leader. Young, arrogant and full of life, this man is a patriot and loyal servant of the Empire. He has great confidence and trust in the Emperor and his sacred will. He was the one that helped mastermind the Imperial Invasion of Russia, and it's his goal to train the next generation of Commanders to carry out the Emperor's will. Kenji is at his best on the battlefield, and his knowledge of Imperial technology is unmatched. Thus, he is known for using vehicles over infantry in battle.

Tenzai Robotics, as reported by Allied forces in their drive for Tokyo, was named after this patriotic and hyperactive shogunate.

Shinzo Nagama
"I die with honor you will not!"

- Shinzo

A calculating shogunate who is referred to as the "Emperor's Shadow". He assists the Imperial Shogun Commander in a battle against General Krukov and Allied Commander Hanley. His ambitions for the Empire are great and sees the Imperial Commander as his protégé as the Imperial campaign ends.

Nagama Dojos, as reported by Allied forces during the Tokyo siege, was named after the Emperor's Shadow and his calculating personality.

Naomi Shirada
"I don't think your are big enough for this fight! You better turn around while you still can!"

- Naomi

Born on a Shogun Battleship, Naomi is a shogunate with a cold soul and ruthless battle strategies to match it. Bearing strong hatreds for the Soviet "barbarians", she will stop at nothing to bring glory and honor to the Empire.

Shirada Docks and the Shogun Battleship's 6 "Shirada" main guns were named after her as a reflection of her naval superiority tactics.

Commander *Name Classified*
In the Imperial Campaign he become Supreme Shogun much due to his strategic genius in defeating the Allies and the Soviets, while single-handedly winning World War III for the Empire of the Rising Sun.

Behind the scenes
The Empire of the Rising Sun is, obviously, based on Japanese popular culture and historical periods. The Japanese units and buildings are largely inspired by anime, manga, feudal Japan and the Pacific War.

The VX units (Mecha Tengu/Jet Tengu, Giga Fortress, Striker VX/Chopper VX, Sea-Wing/Sky-Wing and Defender VX turrets) are inspired by the transforming Valkyrie jet fighter aircraft from the anime series Macross. Shinobi are based on ninjas, Rocket Angels are inspired by shōjo manga and the suits worn by Imperial Warriors resemble the ancient Samurai. Yuriko Omega and the Psionic Decimator superweapon are based on the manga Akira and the anime film of the same name. The King Oni and Shogun Executioner are influenced by the numerous mecha and robots from Japanese science fiction films and television series. The Yari mini-subs are based on the Japanese midget submarines and the Kaiten human-steered torpedoes used by the Imperial Japanese Navy in the Pacific War. The Shogun Battleships resemble the Japanese battleships Yamato and Musashi, the largest and heaviest warships ever constructed. The Final Squadron protocol is influenced by the kamikaze attacks and the Balloon Bombs are based on the fire balloons; these tactics were used by the Japanese during World War II. The Empire's futuristic technological level refers to Japanese post-war economic boom and the numerous high-tech products manufactured by the developed Japanese industry. The Empire's military corporations (Gomusubi Heavy Industries, Kanekawa Industries, Kurikara Robotics, Tenzai Robotics, Shirada Shipworks, Shiro Sanatorium) are influenced by the concept of zaibatsu, a Japanese term referring to industrial conglomerates with strong political and military connections in the Imperial Japan. The Japanese people worships Emperor Yoshiro as a divine being, reflecting an ancient Japanese legend claiming that the emperors of Japan are descendants of the sun goddess Amaterasu. The Empire's militaristic ideology and nationalist policies, including their beliefs of the "divine destiny" to achieve global domination, are inspired by the nationalistic slogan Hakko ichiu, which was interpreted that the Japanese were a "divine" race destined to rule the world; in the 1930s, the slogan culminated in the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, a Japanese concept to establish a bloc of Asian nations led by the Empire of Japan. The fanaticism of the Empire's military is based on the concept of Yamato-damashii, which demanded Japanese soldiers to never surrender and fight to the death. The Emperor, who follows the teachings of Japanese code of conduct known as bushidō, is seen practicing calligraphy, holding a katana and nursing a bonsai tree.

In the Red Alert 3 opening, the Imperial invasion force attacks the Soviet Union with the same way as the Soviets invaded the United States in Red Alert 2. The Shogun Battleships replace the Dreadnoughts; the Chopper VX attack copters replace the Kirov war zeppelins; the Tsunami Tanks on the beach replace the Soviet vehicles deployed from the amphibious transports; and the Imperial Warriors replace the Conscripts. Both scenes play Frank Klepacki's iconic Hell March theme: in Red Alert 2, the Soviet invasion is accompanied with Hell March 2; and Hell March 3 is played on the background during the Japanese invasion in Red Alert 3. However, the scene shows several inconsistencies concerning the Japanese units compared to in-game footage: the Shogun Battleships are seen firing ordinary artillery shells, but in-game the battleships shower enemy targets with superheated slugs; the Striker VX anti-air missile launcher is erroneously placed under the vehicle; the masks worn by Imperial Warriors and Tankbusters are not seen in-game; and the King Oni terrorizing a Soviet city is seen punching a Kirov, but in-game it has no ability to damage air targets.

The Empire of the Rising Sun resembles the Brotherhood of Nod: both factions are obsessed to rule the world; are devoted to their charismatic leader; use propaganda and outlandish military tactics to defeat their enemies; and deploy experimental weapon systems with futuristic lasers and rocket weaponry. The Empire's three-legged epic unit, the Shogun Executioner, resembles the Brotherhood's quadrupedal Redeemer. The Empire's fanaticism, suicide attacks and willingness to commit atrocities is comparable to Nod and Global Liberation Army. The Empire's technological level is superior to the Allies and the Soviets with the same way as the Scrin had extremely advanced technology compared to the Global Defense Initiative and the Brotherhood of Nod. The Empire's sudden appearance to World War III reflects how the Scrin arrived to Earth: the Allies and the Soviets are shocked to found themselves opposed by an aggressive superpower with the same way as GDI and Nod were invaded by a hostile alien species. Both the Scrin and the Empire emerged unexpectedly: the Scrin were awakened by a catalysmic Liquid Tiberium explosion and the Empire came to existence via time travel. Coincidentally, both are major themes of their respective series.