Game Type: 2v2, 3v3, 4v4
        Build Type: Balanced
          Map Size: 448x448, 512x512, 576x576, 640x640
    Starting Money: 500
Suggested Generals: Nagumo, Yamamoto
Sell Anti-Aircraft: Yes
       Sell Bunker: Yes
    Sell Artillery: Yes
 Sell Supply Depot: No (Use to scout)
Build Order:
Infantry HQ, Mechanized HQ, 2 Recon Infantry Regiments, Mechanized HQ, Motor Pool, Mechanized Production Upgrade, 6 Anti-Tank Mechanized Regiments (dropping supply depots as necessary for ammo/oil, usually 4 to 8), Diesel Engines Upgrade, Mechanized HQ, Mechanized HQ, Military Surplus, Tankette Upgrade, 12 Tankette Regiments (dropping supply depots for ammo/oil, usually 12 to 14), Foraging Upgrade, Artillery Brigade, Plentiful Ammunition Upgrade, 4 Mechanized HQs (to increase $$$ generation), Engineering Bay, 2 Airports, Air Superiority Upgrade, Aircraft Superchargers Upgrade, Self-Sealing Fuel Tanks Upgrade, Improved Reconnaissance Upgrade

Specials to Use: Kamikaze, Code Breaker, Demoralization

This build starts off as most builds, by dropping an Infantry HQ, and then creating recon regiments to grab and secure towns. It’s very important to get the 6 Anti-Tank Mechanized Regiments up very quickly, as they will serve as a good defense until the Tankette Regiments are available.

Once the Tankette Regiments have been created, try not to use them, until there are two complete regiments (a total of 12 Tankette Regiments). The reason for waiting to use them is that in small numbers Tankettes are fairly weak and tend to die quickly. It is only by overrunning the enemy with their numbers, and by their speed, that they truly prove useful in battle. Thus, when attacking the enemy attack with all 3 Divisions at once, do not split your forces.

Finally, this is one of the few builds that should go for Air Power fairly early on. This is due to the fact that most of Japan’s Regiments are weaker than nearly every other country in the game. The best chance of being successful with Japan is by waging both a ground and air campaign simultaneously. Ideally air attacks should follow the guidelines found in the Air Power section in regards to the order of targets to attack, however, until the battle front is pushed back a bit, many of the first bombing runs will probably need to be directed at the enemy’s regiments.

Summary: Follow the build order, grab and secure towns, create a Division of 6 Anti-Tank Regiments, then create 2 Divisions of 6 Tankette Regiments, follow up by using Air Power to destroy the enemy’s base, or to attack their regiments if on the defensive.