Japan:  

Chronology:

1600s:  Tokugawa consolidates control of Japan, continues process 
of importing European technology and know how.  Hermetic magic is 
introduced into Japan.  Local magi combine it with certain traditional 
magics, especially Taoist and Tantric magics to create new, but somewhat 
dangerous to practice styles.  Christianity spreads in Japan, though it 
never succeeds in gaining more than a million or so adherents.  However, 
in a more syncretic form, it becomes a broader influence.

Eighteenth century:
Japan begins to explore Asian islands, colonizes east coast of 
Australia.  Fights the Honor Wars and forces Chinese to allow Japanese 
goods into China.  Industrialization begins in Japan and Europe.  The 
Shogunate is crumbling as a series of child Shoguns and incompetents 
blunder along.

Nineteenth century
Japanese colonize Korea and Vietnam.  Japanese forces force the Chinese 
government into a position of submission to its will, but are forced to 
avoid a total takeover by European intervention.  In Mid-century, a 
series of Crisis lead to the fall of the Shogunate and the so-called, 
'Meiji Restoration'.  Japan becomes a 'constitutional monarchy' in form, 
though not in theory or practice.  

20th century:

Japan is currently dominated by the military and the Imperial College of 
Magi, who are both agreed on the current policy of expansion.  In theory, 
the Emperor is absolute monarch, but in practice, the Cabinet, chosen by 
the Parliament, runs affairs.  The nation is divided into prefectures 
appointed by centrally elected officials.  The Parliament itself is 
elected democratically.  Politics tends to be a matter of patronage, 
rather than ideas.  


Government

Japan is divided into prefectures, with governments appointed by for the
most part by the central government.  The smaller islands tend to be
individual prefectures, while the larger islands are divided into multiple
ones.  

The central government consists of:

                             The Emperor
                                  *
***************************************************************************
*                                  *                                     *
Judiciary                       Cabinet                            Military
(Appointed by the Cabinet   (Chosen by Emperor, but              
with Emperor's approval)     will eventually resign
                             if they can't get the Diet
                             to cooperate, chosen
                             from the ranks of the Diet)
                                   *
                                   *
                                  Diet  (Legislature)
                             Upper House appointed by Emperor for life
                             Lower House elected by the prefectures in
                             Male Adult Suffrage


Japanese politics tends to be a matter of patronage politics, rather than
party or idea driven politics.  It's who you know and how they're stuffing
their pockets that counts.


Economy:
Japan is fairly industrialized.  Japanese industry makes heavy use of the
unique brands of magical practice in Japan.  Japan's biggest rival is the
United Kingdom.  Japan is especially noted for its production of fine
clothing, fine china, and magically driven engines.  

Society:
A large percentage (30%) of the population is still in agriculture, since
the Japanese have not devoted the level of resources to agricultural
improvement that many other nations have.  

Most, however, are now involved in industrial production and trade.
Japanese society is more 'westernized' in this world than in the real
world, due to its NOT withdrawing from contact in the 16002-1850s.  Still,
the traditions of Bushido remain strong, and the Samurai families have yet
to fully forget their old status.  

Religion:
Japan is dominated by Shintoism and Buddhism, though there are substantial
Christian communities of several denominations (About 2 % of population
belongs to various sects, mostly Catholic and Baptist)

Magic:
See Magic Section. Japan is noted for developing several unique blends of
shamanistic and hermetic styles.

The Military:

The Japanese military is just a little...out of control.  Much of the
Chinese situation is of its making, and the most recent Cabinets have
tended to bow to its will, when push comes to shove.  It is highly modern
and efficient, and also quite large.



Colonies:

Japan has several major colonies:

Eastern Australia
Korea
Various polynesian islands
Phillipines
Vietnam

These colonies are mostly run as conglomerations of prefectures, but
without voting rights.  The Eastern Australian colony has been pressing
for independence for the last few years and seems likely to get it.

China is not technically a colony, but the Japanese control it to a degree
that it might as well be.