Japanese (Age of Empires III)

The Japanese are an Asian civilization that controls the region of Japan and other parts of the far-east. The Japanese are featured in Age of Empires II and Age of Empires III: The Asian Dynasties.

Age of Empires II
Unique Units: Samurai

The Japanese were a powerful eastern Asian empire and their unique unit was the Samurai, a strong and fast-attacking infantry which is very effective against other enemy unique units. They have a very strong naval presence in the game, with +50% Galley line of sight and double hitpoints for Fishing Ships, with their work rate improved every Age. Their infantry's attack rate is also sequentially raised every Age.

Age of Empires III
Civilization Bonus: Build Shrines, build Cherry Orchards, free Rickshaws, and most Japanese Home City Shipments are sent twice.

Unique Units: All except for Villagers and Monks.

The Japanese are a strong civilization, but they cannot gather food via herding or hunting, but can build Shrines around huntable and herdable animals to gain a slow trickle of whatever resource you want, even experience if you have a high-level Home City. The Shrines available also act as houses; they support 10 units. The Japanese may also build cherry orchards, which are built from freely-obtained Rickshaws. As a special advantage, most cards in the Japanese Home City may be sent twice.

The Japanese have expensive, but powerful military units, such as the Samurai, Ashigaru Musketeers, Yumi Archers, Yabusames and Naginata Riders, as well as artillery units such as Flaming Arrow Artillery and the Morutaru, a Japanese Mortar. The Japanese also have powerful naval units as well. For example, the Tekkousen is the best ship in the Japanese navy.

Each Asian civilization has special Monks instead of Explorers. Both Japan and India start with two. Monks do not have any snipe abilities, but can stun treasure guardians and have powerful martial arts attacks. The Japanese monks also build shrines and if the card Mountain Warrior is sent they will receive twice the normal resources or experience for Treasures.