Nippon: Zaibatsu

About this board game

Nippon: Zaibatsu is a fast-paced area-majority economic game for 1–4 players, with a playing time of about 120 minutes.

Set in Japan during the Industrial Revolution era, the game puts players in control of powerful zaibatsu—massive conglomerates made up of interconnected companies. Each player works to drive the country’s economy while expanding their influence and power.

Invest in new industries, build factories and railroads, produce goods, and saturate local markets. You can also fulfill contracts as you develop your network, competing for the most valuable opportunities and working toward becoming the ruler of a newly modernized country.

• Choose your own playstyle and winning strategy.
• Select what you want to score victory points for.
• Control the game’s pace through income turns.
• Race for beneficial factories, markets, and bonuses.

This new edition retains the core mechanisms of the original Nippon while upgrading its components, art, and design. Gameplay features have also been reworked to bring the experience in line with modern trends.

New resource types add variety, while revised ships introduce new Iwakura mission rules. Factories are more variable, and consolidation turns give players new rewards as their industrial empires develop.

With an automa-driven solo mode, Nippon: Zaibatsu supports both individual play and competition among up to four players. Its combination of economic development, area majority, production, contracts, and strategic timing creates a focused contest for influence during Japan’s industrial transformation.