@Geist:
Back to the point of the original post, I tend to agree, Japan has limited options. Personally, I’d like to see the US unable to declare war until turn four and Japan able to invade the DEI, however, if they do this the US can then declare war on Turn 3.
What if the US were to declare war if/when Japan reaches a certain level of income? This could be a simple rule that holds true no matter what Japan’s strategy is. It gives Japan the flexibility to go all out against Russia, take the DEI, or whatever else without bringing in the US too early. And it even keeps with the tone of the US only declaring war on Japan if Japan’s emperialism gets too out of hand.
There are a few problems that I see off the bat. Does this give Japan the ability to take India without the US entering the war? What happens if India, ANZAC, China, and Russia fight well enough against Japan to keep it from reaching this certain level of income? How will we determine if the US can enter the European theatre?
I am very attracted to a simple rule to make this aspect of the game clearer and easier, but am not sure how simple the rule can be and still be adequete.