World at War #79: Rising Sun Over China – Japan vs China 1931–1937 is an operational-strategic level wargame that immerses players in the early conflicts between Imperial Japan and the Republic of China, spanning the turbulent years leading up to the full-scale Sino-Japanese War. This two-player game explores the regional campaigns across Manchukuo (Manchuria), Menjiang (Inner Mongolia), and northern China, culminating in Japan’s 1937 invasion of the Chinese heartland and the capture of Peiping (Peking).

• Historical Scope: Players relive the critical prelude to the Second World War in Asia, as Japan consolidates power in Manchuria and expands influence deeper into China. The Japanese player seeks to secure northern China to prepare for future conquest, while the Chinese player must defend key regions to delay or prevent a broader invasion.
• Operational-Strategic Gameplay: Each game turn represents one year of operations, covering the shifting tempo of campaigns, diplomacy, and reorganisation. Hexes represent approximately 75 kilometres across, offering a sweeping yet manageable command perspective over vast battlefronts.
• Varied Unit Scale: Japanese ground forces are represented primarily as divisions and brigades, while their allied puppet formations and Chinese units appear at the army and corps level, modelling the fragmented and fluid nature of forces in the region.
• Possibility of Soviet Intervention: Optional rules allow for the potential entry of Soviet forces, reflecting the geopolitical volatility of the era and adding further tension and strategic depth to the campaign.

Rising Sun Over China recreates the regional conflict that reshaped East Asia, combining military operations, political manoeuvring, and strategic planning. Both players must balance aggression and restraint — Japan must expand without overextending, while China must defend while rebuilding its scattered armies under immense pressure.

Game Components & Features:

• 1 x 22x34” full-colour map of Manchukuo, Menjiang, and northern China
• 176 die-cut counters representing divisions, corps, and air units
• Rules for Soviet intervention and multi-national coordination
• Annual turn structure reflecting operational tempo from 1931–1937
• Playable in one to two sessions for two players

Scale:
Players: 2
Level: Division / Corps / Army
Hex: 75 Kilometres
Turn: 1 Year

World at War #79: Rising Sun Over China – Japan vs China 1931–1937 offers an immersive and historically detailed look at the early years of the conflict in East Asia. It’s a perfect choice for players who enjoy long-form strategic wargames, blending political foresight, operational command, and historical insight into one compelling package.

Available now from Milsims Games — Australia’s trusted destination for wargames, strategy titles, and historical simulations for over 50 years. Price-match guarantee and fast shipping from Mont Albert, VIC.

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