just one correction, touhousniper: you mixed up japanization and no-jap route...
in japanization you get more characters (=more commanders to fight with), but your income is cut down by one third. you can see if you're in this route if your planets with maximum security look like a flower.
no japanization you have a lot more resources, less commanders and big problems with rebels/security.
another big decision is ifr you sign the tri-pact you manage to reach germany before they get gangraped by the allies. if you do it, you and germany defeat the rest, have a party together and then bash each other =)
in japanization you get more characters (=more commanders to fight with), but your income is cut down by one third. you can see if you're in this route if your planets with maximum security look like a flower.
no japanization you have a lot more resources, less commanders and big problems with rebels/security.
another big decision is ifr you sign the tri-pact you manage to reach germany before they get gangraped by the allies. if you do it, you and germany defeat the rest, have a party together and then bash each other =)