Can Japan move through usa waters when not at war with usa?

I agree. It is also not rules compliant.

I find this exactly the strategic dilemma for Japan!
Japan strengthens its position when DOW J2 but that may weaken the German/Italian positions. Some US players are even ready to go for Gibraltar and start projecting a threat into Europe in US 2 .

If UK DOWs UK2 as general play, it may just end up strengthening both axis nations. But I can see it working in some cases, especially if the German threat levels are low in Europe and Japan is out of position with its fleet.

Waiting till J3 is a pain, but it allows me to get more into the battle.

you end up getting blocked though which is the problem. unless you move naval over the islands you are going to take and have the boats loaded on J2.

usa tends to get everything to queensland still even if you can sink it (tend to just block with a dd or two).

no real advantage money wise waiting for j3. you lose the 10 NO. to pick up 12-13 in islands and FIC. usually -7 or -11 for allies. so usa getting his NO for the other powers to be weaker is the tradeoff.

Japan/Russia has no effect on UK/Anzac relations to Japan.
UK/Anzac can declare war on Japan “when they want” (so to speak)

The carrier allows you to add 3 naval units for the price of one. Put the 2 fighters on it and England can not afford to take out your navy.

Russia building a massive airforce then sinking the home fleet of Japan(mostly) allowing the USA to pretty much walk into the Japan and take it. Btw…Russia didn’t share this plan with the other allies they just did it lol.