FAQ
114 answered questions1 official
Rules questions from the BoardGameGeek forum. Answers marked Official were confirmed by CrowD Games or the designers.
Common mistakes
- Ending the round only when every Hiring space is empty — it ends when a Hiring space is empty and the Worker Queue cannot refill it. Ruling · Rule
- Paying salaries per Worker — it is 3 Money per different colour. Ruling · Rule
- Counting Trains in a Region where you have no Influence token — they add nothing there. Ruling · Rule
- Putting two Machines into one Factory in a single action, or building a Machine with no Factory to hold it. Ruling · Rule
- Using the modifiers of two Factories in one action — only one Factory’s modifier applies per action. Ruling · Rule
- Skipping the 2nd scoring value with 3 players — only 2 players (and solo) skip it. Ruling · Rule
- Treating a full Local Market as closed with 2 or 3 players — a higher token may still claim a free space. Ruling · Rule
Showing 114 of 114
In Solo mode, should the Worker Queue setup use 3 or 6 workers?
In Solo mode, the Worker Queue is set up the same as 2-player mode, which means 6 workers total (2 rows of 3 workers each). Some earlier videos show only 3 workers due to rules changes made between the campaign and final delivery; follow the rulebook over videos made during the campaign. The Worker Queue has three color-coded segments; the top segment is for solo and 2-player games.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread, BGG thread
In Solo Mode, how many Upgraded Department tokens should I stack if the setup mentions both 1-player and 2-player stacks?
Solo Mode is played as a 2-player game setup. Each player can only take one Upgraded Department token of each type; the number you stack does not matter since the automa does not use these tokens.
Source: BGG thread
Can the Automa replace my influence token if it's equal in value to a higher-value one?
No. The Automa follows two rules: it tries to replace your highest-value token (only possible if it has a higher value), or it tries to cover the highest-value preprinted space. The Automa cannot replace its own tokens.
Source: BGG thread
If the Automa wants to place a higher-value token but can only replace a token of equal value, what happens?
[UNRESOLVED] The rules are unclear on whether the Automa then tries to cover a preprinted space instead, or if it simply doesn't place a token. Players should clarify this house rule before playing solo.
Source: BGG thread
Does the Automa's influence take priority over a printed space when placing?
Yes. The Automa prioritizes replacing your highest-value token over covering a preprinted space.
Source: BGG thread
In solo mode, when drawing a worker-selection token with a left or right arrow, which direction do I take the worker from?
A left-pointing arrow means take the leftmost worker from the section with the most workers. A right-pointing arrow means take the rightmost. Many players initially get this backwards by following the visual direction of the arrow.
Source: BGG thread
If the Automa runs out of influence tokens for the current period and must select from the next period, which goods does it use?
The Automa selects the row above (future period) and uses the goods types associated with that row. The good types change based on the period.
Source: BGG thread
If I have only trains in a region (no influence tokens), does the automa skip that region during its influence check?
Yes. If you have only trains and no influence tokens in a region, the automa skips that region during its influence check. If the automa has any influence at all in that region, it will skip it.
Source: BGG thread
What happens if the automa needs to return a worker from a specific hiring area but there are no workers there?
Just like in a 2-player game, you must fill up the hiring areas from the worker queue before the automa can take an action. If you need to refill an area and the worker queue is empty, the round ends.
Source: BGG thread
When setting up the solo automa, what workers does it receive?
During common setup, take the second removed set of workers and place them in random order in the Priority area on the Automa board. The image on page 21 shows one worker of each color, but the setup draws a random set (which may not be one of each color).
Source: BGG thread
What are the rules for solo train and market icons in section C?
The German rulebook omits some clarification text, but the intent is the same as the English version. If an action token shows the train or market icons, follow the normal rules for that action. The specific mechanics are explained through the solo round structure.
Source: BGG thread
When consolidating with a single color, do I pay 3,000 yen?
Yes. You pay 3,000 yen for each different color of worker in your consolidation. With only one color, you pay 3,000 yen once. However, you only receive the department bonus (such as gaining silk) once, even if your top and bottom workers are different colors and you have multiple bonuses available. You only get multiple department bonuses if your topmost worker is a different color from your bottom worker, in which case you get 2 bonuses.
Source: BGG thread
During consolidation, when do I take favor tokens?
You only take favor tokens to the right of your topmost worker. If you consolidated with just 3 workers (the minimum), you take no favor tokens unless your topmost worker is beside a favor token.
Source: BGG thread
Is there a minimum number of workers needed to consolidate?
Yes. You must place at least 4 workers to consolidate.
Source: BGG thread
Must I pay full salaries, or can I choose to lose VP instead?
You must spend money to pay salaries if you have it available. You must spend money equal to 3 × the number of different worker colors you have, but you must keep at least 1 money. If you cannot afford full salaries after keeping 1 money, you lose 1 VP for every 1 money you could not pay. You are not forced to convert silk to money to avoid losing VP, but you may do so if you choose.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread
[UNRESOLVED] Are players obligated to convert silk to money during consolidation (non-final) to avoid losing VP if they cannot afford full salaries?
[UNRESOLVED] The rulebook says you may convert silk "at any time," but does not explicitly state whether you must do so.
Source: BGG thread
Can I spend silk to gain money at the final consolidation?
Yes. The rulebook states: "At any moment during your turn (incl. Final Consolidation), you may spend 1 silk to gain 1 money any number of times."
Source: BGG thread
If I have no workers at final consolidation, do I still consolidate?
Yes. "Each player must make this Final Consolidation, even if they have no Workers in their Workers area."
Source: BGG thread
Why does the game require you to keep 1 money during consolidation if you can't afford salaries?
This rule allows you to still perform actions after consolidation. If you had zero resources left (no money, silk, iron, or goods), you could only produce using coal. Keeping 1 money ensures you can still activate the R&D and Mining increase actions, which require 1 money.
Source: BGG thread
When consolidating, do workers in gray spaces grant department bonuses?
No. Workers in gray spaces (the middle spaces on your player board) never grant department bonuses. Only workers in the lowest space (bottom) and, if you have 4+ workers, the highest space (top) grant bonuses.
Source: BGG thread
When activating the production action in a factory, can I spend extra coal to produce more goods in the same factory?
No. You can do a maximum of three productions per production action, but each activation must be in a different factory. You cannot perform two productions in the same factory during one action, even if you have sufficient coal. Machines can be used to increase the number of goods produced per production.
Source: BGG thread
Can I place an influence token of a lower value than specified in the table?
No. You must strictly follow the influence table values. If you are selling a level 3 good and the table indicates 5 influence, you must place a 5 influence token. You cannot place a lower-valued token even if higher ones are unavailable. This is a significant change from the original Nippon game and was made to increase the value of lower-level factories.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread
Can I perform the Local Markets action without placing an influence token?
No. To benefit from the area bonus, you must be able to place an influence token. If you cannot place any token, you cannot perform the action at all. The action inherently requires placing influence.
Source: BGG thread
Can I combine goods from different factories of the same type for the Local Markets action?
Yes. You can combine goods from different factories that produce the same type of good when spending them for a Local Markets action. However, goods cannot be moved between factories during production.
Source: BGG thread
In 2-player games, how many influence tokens can be placed around each market?
In 2-player games, the limit is 2 influence tokens per market square. If a third player-controlled influence token is placed, it must have a higher value than one of the existing tokens, causing the lowest-valued token to be returned. The maximum remains 2 tokens on the board.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread
If multiple tokens tied for the lowest value and a higher-valued token is placed, which token is returned?
The active player chooses which of the tied lowest-valued tokens to return.
Source: BGG thread
Can I place my influence token if I can only equal, not exceed, existing tokens at a market?
No. Your token must be strictly higher in value than the existing tokens to be placed.
Source: BGG thread
In 2-player games, is the limit 2 influence tokens per square or per region?
The limit is 2 influence tokens per square, not per region.
Source: BGG thread
Can I combine 2 cotton goods and 1 paper good to make a single 3-value influence token?
No. All goods used for influence must be the same type. You can combine goods from multiple factories of the same type, but not different types.
Source: BGG thread
Can I split goods from a single factory into multiple influence tokens of different values?
Yes. You can split goods as you wish. If you have more than one factory making the same type of goods, you can even combine them. Your only limitation is that you can only place up to 3 influence tokens with a single action, and all those tokens must be placed into the same region.
Source: BGG thread
When serving the local market action with 1–3 activations, must all tokens be placed in the same region?
Yes. All 1–3 activations must target the same region. You can split the tokens among different markets within that region but cannot place them in different regions.
Source: BGG thread
Can I combine the same type of goods from different factories for a single influence action?
Yes. You can spend the same type of good from different factories for both local market and investment/contracts actions. You cannot move goods between factories, but you can draw from multiple sources of the same good type when performing these actions.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread
In a 2 or 3-player game, once a Local Market reaches capacity, do Overseas Companies influence still count in the uncovered spaces?
Yes. Overseas Companies influence counts in all spaces, regardless of player count. The old rules (shown in Gaming Rules video) covered empty spaces when capacity was reached, but the new rules do not require this. When playing with fewer than 4 players, Overseas Companies become an active competitive factor; players must gain more influence from supplying markets and placing trains than the Overseas Companies influence to score those regions effectively.
Source: BGG thread
Should I count the numbers printed in unused Local Market slots beyond the player count limit?
Yes. You count all the Overseas Companies influence numbers printed around each city regardless of player count. [Example: In a 2-player game with 2 occupied slots, slots 3 & 4 numbers are still counted.]
Source: BGG thread
Do I ignore the preprinted numbers on the Local Market board when placing my influence tokens?
Yes. You ignore preprinted numbers when placing tokens. Unlike other players' tokens, you need a higher value token to overwrite preprinted numbers.
Source: BGG thread
On the Local Market action example (page 15), why does the pink player place a 1-value token and then replace it with a 2-value token?
You receive the placement bonus each time you place an influence token. By placing the 1-value token first and then replacing it with a 2-value token, the player receives both bonuses (e.g., gaining the same resource twice).
Source: BGG thread
If I place multiple goods into one region during a Local Market action, do I get the region bonus for each placement or just once?
You get the reward for each activation. So you can spend 3 paper to place a 1-influence token, then replace it with a 2-influence token to gain the bonus twice. But someone else might then spend 3 paper to place a 3-influence token and permanently secure the spot.
Source: BGG thread
Can I place a value 4 influence token by combining goods?
No. You cannot combine goods/tokens in the game. Influence tokens for each good type are restricted: 1-level Goods use tokens 1/2/3, 2-level Goods use 3/4/5, and 3-level Goods use 5/6/7. You may not place Influence tokens which do not match the level of the Goods being delivered.
Source: BGG thread
Can I reuse the starting tile that gives 3 coal?
No. The starting tile that provides coal is a one-time bonus at the game's beginning. It is not reusable during the game. Similarly, the starting tile that allows you to draw 1 meeple from the bag is a one-time action.
Source: BGG thread
Does the starting tile with a factory cost discount apply only once or throughout the game?
The discount applies every time you build a factory throughout the game. The starting tile persists and provides its benefit for all future factory purchases.
Source: BGG thread
What does the Old Factory starting tile do?
The Old Factory provides a single good at game start and takes up one slot on your player board. It produces no goods during the game. The only way to place additional goods on it is through specific factory effects (such as Bulbs 1A). You cannot move goods between factories, and goods produced in other factories cannot be stored in the Old Factory.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread
Is the bonus from a starting tile free, or do I have to pay the cost?
All starting tile bonuses are free. Everything on starting tiles is free. For example, if a starting tile grants "Build a Ship," you do not pay the 3 iron or 5 money + 1 iron cost shown on the main board.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use goods from a starting tile that grants 2 goods for an income action before I have a factory to place them in?
No. Those starting goods are not yet defined as a specific type until you build your first factory and assign them to it. Once assigned to a factory, they can then be used for influence or contracts.
Source: BGG thread
When receiving starting bonuses, if bonus A says "Build 1 train for free" and bonus B says "Gain resources," do I get bonus A's resources before I can use them with bonus B?
Yes. You receive starting bonuses A before getting any resources from bonuses B. This means you build a ship or train for free using resources from the action itself, not from bonus B.
Source: BGG thread
Can I build a 7th factory or fulfill a 7th/8th contract if I've already filled all six spaces on my Zaibatsu?
No. The rules require an empty space to place a factory or contract tile: "Take the chosen Factory tile and place it on the leftmost empty space in the Factories area" and "Place the fulfilled Contract token in the leftmost empty dedicated space at the bottom of your Zaibatsu." You cannot build or fulfill beyond the available spaces, nor can you swap tiles.
Source: BGG thread
Must factory bonuses be paid for, or are they free?
Factory bonuses that grant resources (such as ships, trains, or advancement on tracks) are free unless the factory text explicitly states a cost. The cost printed on the main board action is separate from the factory icon.
Source: BGG thread
Do factory effects trigger factory action modifiers on other factories?
No. Factory effects are not actions, so they cannot be modified by action modifier icons on other factories. Only actions taken from the main board can trigger action modifiers. This rule prevents unintended combo chains.
Source: BGG thread
Can I only apply one factory modifier per turn?
Yes. Action modifiers (marked with square icons) apply only to main board actions, not to other factory effects. You may only apply a modifier from one factory per action, and since you take one action per turn, you can only use one factory modifier per turn. This applies even if you activate the same action multiple times.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread
Does the starting tile machine trigger factory bonuses requiring machine placement?
No. The starting tile machine is placed on your first factory without performing the Machine action. Factory effects that require "building a machine" only trigger when you take the Machine action from the main board.
Source: BGG thread
Can Bulbs 2A (build 1 machine in 2 different factories) trigger Lenses 4A (after building a machine, build 1 train)?
No. Bulbs 2A is an immediate factory effect, not an action. Lenses 4A has a square icon indicating it is an action modifier that only triggers when the Machine action is taken from the main board, not when machines are placed through factory effects.
Source: BGG thread
Can I have more than one factory of the same type in my Zaibatsu?
Yes. You can have more than one factory of the same type.
Source: BGG thread
For the Paper 3B factory effect (save up to 3,000 yen and/or coal), can I use 3,000-yen coins or other denominations?
You can keep any combination as long as the total equals up to 3,000 yen. For example, three 1,000-yen coins, one 3,000-yen coin, or a mix, but not a 5,000-yen coin. The coin denomination doesn't matter; only the total value matters.
Source: BGG thread
When Bulbs 2B allows me to produce in a factory where I just built a machine, do I have to pay coal?
The rules do not explicitly clarify, but the "you may" phrasing suggests that if it were free, there would be no reason not to do it. Therefore, you likely must pay the normal coal cost to produce.
Source: BGG thread
How do factories with square icons (action modifiers) work?
Factories with square action icons trigger every time you take that action on the main board with a worker. For example, Cotton 3A advances 1 space on the R&D track each time you take the R&D action. These are not one-time effects but persistent bonuses tied to taking the action.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use the Lenses 3B factory bonus (build 1 train, then go back 2 finance to build another) if I haven't already built a train?
The question mixes two different tiles. In the Player Handbook (p. 1), Lenses 2B is the immediate effect: build 1 Train, then optionally retreat 2 Finance spaces and spend 1 Iron to build another in a different Region. Lenses 3B instead grants a Department bonus matching the Worker used for the Train action, after you have activated that action at least once. It does not build a Train. You need not own a Train before taking your first Train action; carry out an activation before taking the 3B Department bonus. Use the handbook's tile descriptions rather than the question's parenthetical.
If I build multiple trains in the Lenses 3A action, do I get the region bonus for each?
No. Lenses 3A grants a region bonus in only 1 region where you build a train during the action, even if you build multiple trains.
Source: BGG thread
Can I build multiple trains in a single train action and place them in the same region?
No. Each train placement must be in a different region.
Source: BGG thread
When I have a factory bonus stating "Build 1 Machine" or "Build 1 Train," do I need to pay resources for these?
No. These actions are free.
Source: BGG thread
If a factory grants me a region bonus when I build a train, can I get that bonus multiple times if I build multiple trains?
No. You gain the region bonus in only 1 region where you built a train during this action, even if you built multiple trains.
Source: BGG thread
Do factory effects trigger when placing a starting tile bonus or from another factory effect?
No. Factory effects are triggered only by actions (selecting a worker from a hiring space). Placing a starting tile bonus or triggering another factory effect is not an action, so it does not trigger factory bonuses. The rulebook states: "Factory effects are not actions, so these effects cannot be modified by action modifiers."
Source: BGG thread
When building the second machine in a factory, do I still need to pay the additional cost (e.g., 1 iron)?
Yes. You always pay the cost indicated on the space when placing a Machine, regardless of whether it is the first or second Machine in that factory. [You may build the second space first if desired, leaving the first space empty for later.]
Source: BGG thread
When the Bulbs 2A factory bonus says "immediately build 2 machines, each in different factories," and one of these is the 2nd machine in a factory, must I still pay the resource cost?
Yes. You still need to pay the required resource (e.g., 1 steel/iron) for each Machine placement, even when built immediately as a bonus.
Source: BGG thread
Can I build two machines on the same factory during a Machines action?
No. The symbol with a crossed-through equal sign on the Machines action (explained on the back cover of the rulebook) means activations must be applied to different factories. You may build up to 3 machines, but each must be on a different factory.
Source: BGG thread
Can I build a machine if I don't have any factories?
No. Unlike in the original Nippon (2015), in Nippon Zaibatsu you may only build a machine if you can accommodate it in one of your factories. The build machine action requires choosing a factory as the first step. The only exception is the starting tile that grants a machine, which explicitly states it's the only exception when a machine may be added to your supply.
Source: BGG thread
How much does it cost to build a machine?
Each activation of the Build a Machine action costs 5 money. You can perform up to 3 activations, so building 3 machines would cost 15 money total (5 per machine). You can build on free and paid spaces within a factory.
Source: BGG thread
When I use silk to temporarily increase my R&D level, does it increase by 1, 2, or 3 whole levels?
It increases by whole levels. You pay 1, 3, or 6 silk to temporarily increase your R&D level by 1, 2, or 3 levels respectively. You do not move your marker; you simply check what level you would be at with the temporary boost and use that for building factories. The boost applies only for that turn's factory purchases.
Source: BGG thread
When I spend silk to "upgrade" on the R&D track, does it move spaces or upgrade the level?
Spending silk upgrades your R&D level temporarily, not your position on the track. For example, if you're at level 4 on the track, spending 3 silk allows you to temporarily reach level 5, so you can build a level-5 factory. The upgrade is temporary and doesn't move your marker.
Source: BGG thread
How do I unlock the three locked influence tokens in my Zaibatsu?
You unlock them by advancing on the R&D track. As you progress on the R&D track, you unlock influence tokens.
Source: BGG thread
If my R&D marker is already at maximum, can I take the R&D action to spend money even though I won't benefit?
No. You cannot choose an action if you cannot activate it at least once. If your R&D track is maxed out, you cannot advance further, so you cannot take the R&D action. This applies to all actions: if you cannot perform at least one activation, you cannot select the action.
Source: BGG thread
If I'm on the first space of the Finance track, must I pay the full cost to go back 2 spaces to get a factory bonus?
Yes. You must pay the full cost. If you cannot move back 2 spaces on the Finance track, you cannot claim the bonus. The rule on page 7 that allows markers to remain in place applies only to mandatory effects, not optional effects that require payment as a cost.
Source: BGG thread
If a marker cannot be moved past the last space of a track (R&D, Mining, Finance) because it's already maxed, do I get any compensation?
No compensation is given. The marker simply remains on the last/first space. The rulebook states: "R&D, Mining, and Finance markers cannot be moved forward past the last spaces or backward past the first spaces of their tracks. If an effect instructs you to do so, the marker remains on the last/first space, respectively."
Source: BGG thread
If I move backwards on the Finance track and then forwards again, do I gain the final space bonus again? Official
Yes. There is no way to track that you have already received a bonus, so if you move back off the final space of the Finance track and then return to it, you receive the bonus again. This is rare (requires factories like Bento 1B, Lenses 2B, or Clocks 3B to move backwards), but the designer confirms you gain the reward again.
Source: BGG thread
When do I gain the bonuses shown between Ships/Machines/Trains spaces?
You gain a bonus only when both adjacent spaces (above and below the bonus icon) are empty. For example, if you've built all machines and trains but no ships, you don't gain any bonus. If you later build a ship, you'd gain the bonus at that time.
Source: BGG thread
Do I need space for an expert worker to build a ship?
Yes. You must be able to place the expert worker in your Workers area. If you cannot place the expert worker (no room), you may not build that ship.
Source: BGG thread
When I build a ship and unlock a department bonus, can I resolve the bonus before placing the expert worker?
Yes. You apply all effects in any order. You can gain the department bonus before placing the expert worker, as long as each effect is fully resolved before proceeding to the next.
Source: BGG thread
When taking the ship action, do I take both the regular worker and the expert worker?
Yes. You take one regular worker from the Ship action space and one (or more, up to 3) expert worker(s) from the destination(s) where you place ships. You can end up with up to 4 workers total from a single ship action.
Source: BGG thread
When I place a ship, I take an Expert Worker. If I place another ship to the same destination later, what happens?
When you place a ship, you take the Expert Worker and place it as a worker on your player board. The Expert Worker is returned to the ship area during consolidation. You can then take that same Expert Worker again in a future turn if you place another ship at that destination, but you do not gain the benefit again (you already have the tile).
Source: BGG thread
Why can't you place a ship if there's no Expert Worker available at that destination?
The rule states: "You may not choose a Destination which has no Expert Worker." This prevents multiple ships to the same destination in the same round. However, if the destination has an Expert Worker from the initial setup or returned from a previous consolidation, you can place your ship and take it.
Source: BGG thread
Do trains score points outside of influence scoring?
Trains only score during influence scoring (at the end of each period). They add +2 influence to your total in a region if you have at least 1 influence token there. They do not score independently. If you place a favor token on trains in your Zaibatsu, you score based on the number of trains placed and the tier of the favor token during final scoring.
Source: BGG thread
Can I build multiple trains in a single train action and place them in the same region?
No. Each train placement must be in a different region.
Source: BGG thread
Do trains grant influence during scoring if I have no influence tokens in a region?
No. Each train grants its owner 2 influence in the region only if that player has at least 1 influence token in that region. Otherwise, trains grant no influence.
Source: BGG thread
Does taking the 2 income bumps on the Finance track count as fulfilling a contract?
No. The Investment and Contracts action offers two separate choices: either advance 2 spaces on the Finance track OR fulfill a contract. Taking the income bump is not a contract fulfillment.
Source: BGG thread
How does the Investment and Contracts action work?
You can perform 1–3 activations. For each activation, you spend a specific number of the same type of goods (1, 2, or 3) and either fulfill a contract (gaining its department bonus) or advance +2 on the Finance track. Each activation must use a different type of good. For example, you might spend 1 silk for activation 1, 2 paper for activation 2, and 3 cotton for activation 3.
Source: BGG thread
Can I use the same type of good from different factories for different activations?
Yes. You can spend the same type of good from different factories across multiple activations, as long as each activation uses a different good type than the previous.
Source: BGG thread
When taking an action with multiple activations, can I pay for each activation separately, using rewards from previous activations?
Yes. You resolve activations one at a time. If an activation grants you a reward (such as iron, silk, or money), you can use that reward to pay for the next activation within the same action. The rulebook example shows: "For the second activation, the Green player decides to spend 1 iron (gained as a bonus during the first activation) and 5 money to build a Train in another Region."
Source: BGG thread
At the end of each round, do you refill hiring spaces to 3 workers or add only 1?
You add only 1 random worker from the bag to each hiring space that has fewer than 3 workers. This rule changed from earlier versions (where spaces were refilled to 3) to tighten the action economy and even out the number of turns players get across different player counts.
Source: BGG thread
In a 4-player game, what happens with the single worker in the last row of the Worker Queue?
That single worker is treated as a full row by itself and refills alone. It is not combined with the row above it.
Source: BGG thread
When refilling workers mid-turn, do I refill from the topmost filled row?
Yes. If an action space runs out of workers during a turn, you refill from the topmost filled row of the Worker Queue, which contains 3 workers. You continue refilling until you have enough workers.
Source: BGG thread
When does the round end?
At the very end of a player's turn, if there are no Workers in any one space of the Hiring area, and that player cannot move Workers to that space from the Worker Queue (all rows of the Worker Queue are already empty), the round ends.
Source: BGG thread
At the end of each round, how are the Hiring spaces replenished?
At the end of the round, add 1 random Worker from the bag to each Hiring space if there are fewer than 3 Workers on that space. Do not discard any remaining Workers before adding new ones. [This means an empty space receives only 1 Worker to start the next round.]
Source: BGG thread
Is there a final replenishment of the Hiring spaces when the first Round marker reaches the second Round marker?
Yes. At the end of the 5th round (before the 3 final rounds), add Workers to the Hiring spaces and fill rows of the Worker Queue as normal. After those 3 final rounds, there is no replenishment.
Source: BGG thread
What if the bag runs out of workers during the worker queue refill at round end?
In the rare situation when you don't have enough workers to refill the queue completely, fill in as many rows as you can and add the missing workers as soon as they are discarded to the bag (during the next consolidation).
Source: BGG thread
What happens in the 3 final rounds regarding worker refills?
At the end of round 5 (before the 3 final rounds), you refill normally: add 1 worker to each hiring space with fewer than 3, and fill the Worker Queue rows. Then each player takes exactly 3 more turns. During these 3 turns, when the round marker advances, you do NOT add workers or refill the queue. However, if an action space empties during a turn, it is still refilled from the queue as normal.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread
When the endgame is triggered, does the triggering player get an extra turn?
The triggering player does not get an extra turn in the sense of having more turns than others. All players, including the triggering player, will have exactly 3 more turns from that point onward. The round marker moves to the player to the left, and then starting with that player, everyone takes 3 turns. The triggering player happens to take the last turn, which is sometimes advantageous.
Source: BGG thread
During final rounds, how do workers refill?
Once the first round marker reaches the first bright space (where the second round marker sits), final rounds begin. From then on, each player has 3 turns until the end of the game. When all players have taken 1 turn each (starting with the player holding the round marker), the current round ends. You advance the round marker 1 space but do not add workers to hiring spaces and do not refill the worker queue. However, you still move workers from the queue to fill empty hiring spaces during turns (as in normal play).
Source: BGG thread
Can a player score Victory Points in a region if they have 0 Influence there?
No. If a player has 0 Influence in a region, they do not participate in Influence Scoring in that region and do not score any Victory Points for it.
Source: BGG thread
How do ties for region scoring work?
If two players tie for first place in a region, add the points for first and second place and divide by 2 for each tied player. If they tie for second place, add second and third place points and divide by 2. In 3-player games, all four places score (1st, 2nd, 3rd, and the overseas company score). In 4-player games, the same scoring applies with the 3-player icon also used.
Source: BGG thread
How does influence scoring work in a 3-player game?
Scoring in a 3-player game is the same as in a 4-player game. You use the full scoring table (1st, 2nd, 3rd, 4th place values). The 2-player icon on the board only indicates that 2-player games skip the 2nd value, so 2nd place receives the 3rd value and 3rd place receives the 4th value. In a 3-player game, there can only be 3 influence tokens around each demand tile, ensuring overseas companies are always scored.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread
Do you only score in the period you're currently ending, or do you score all previous periods again in each subsequent era?
You only score the period/era you are currently ending. You do not rescore previous periods.
Source: BGG thread
For end-game scoring of Factories and Contracts, do I score both or just one?
You score each row separately. Score the rightmost Factory and the rightmost Contract independently—you earn as many points as shown below/above each rightmost token respectively. The Factory row and Contract row are not connected.
Source: BGG thread
When do I unlock a department bonus when building ships/trains/machines?
You unlock department bonuses when you reach certain thresholds (e.g., 5/8/10) across your total ships, trains, and machines. You gain the bonus immediately upon reaching that threshold.
Source: BGG thread
At final scoring, how do I score remaining resources (silk, iron, coal)?
You add the total amount of remaining goods plus all resources together and divide by 3, rounding down. It is not counted by resource type separately.
Source: BGG thread
How many workers does each player count start with on their board during setup, and how does the worker queue vary by player count?
Each player starts with 6 workers on their board. The worker queue on the main board is filled as follows:
- 2-player: Fill only the top area (6 workers).
- 3-player: Fill the top and middle areas (9 workers).
- 4-player: Fill all three areas (13 workers).
When an action space runs out of workers, you move the topmost filled row from the worker queue to that space. In a 4-player game, this means the final refill before round end will be only 1 worker; in a 3-player game, only 2 workers; in a 2-player game, always 3 workers.
Source: BGG thread
In a 2-player game, are there specific differences in region limits?
Yes. In 2-player games, only 2 influence tokens per market square are allowed (compared to 3 in 3-player and 4-player games). This affects competition and strateging on the map significantly.
Source: BGG thread
In a 2-player game, how do I refill workers?
At the end of each round, add 1 random worker to each hiring space with fewer than 3 workers, then refill the Worker Queue rows. A 2-player game uses 6 workers per queue row (same as 4-player setup).
Source: BGG thread
Why was the end-of-round worker replenishment changed from filling hiring spaces to exactly 3 workers to adding at most 1 worker per space?
Playtests showed that shorter games (in terms of turns) were more enjoyable, especially when balancing experienced and new players. The change to adding only 1 worker per space—rather than filling all spaces to 3—creates more consistent game length (approximately 28–29 turns per player consistently, compared to 28–34 turns before). This helps balance the game: if players take too many workers, fewer are available next round and vice versa. Additionally, this change allowed solo rules to match 2-player rules without special exceptions. The designers do not recommend playing with the older variant of replenishing hiring spaces completely.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread
Is there an advantage to being the starting player?
There is minimal inherent advantage. The starting player picks their color first and has first pick of factories and ships. However, going later in turn order allows you to knock away influence tokens placed by earlier players. Starting tiles are chosen in reverse turn order, compensating late-turn players. The strength of being first, last, or in the middle varies game to game depending on worker availability and starting tile pairings.
Source: BGG thread, BGG thread
What are the preprinted influence values on the map?
These represent overseas companies with interest in Japan. They act as a fourth influence presence in each market. You can cover these printed values with your own influence tokens of any value (ignoring the printed numbers). The preprinted scores matter for region scoring to provide additional competition, especially in 2- and 3-player games where fewer players compete.
Common Goals Module
Source: BGG thread
How do you earn common goal rewards in periods I and II?
In periods I and II, each player gains a reward for each common goal where they lead or share the lead. For each common goal achieved, you may choose any 1 reward from those shown to the right on the common goals board. Yes, you can get multiple rewards if you lead in multiple common goals.
Source: BGG thread
In period III, how do rewards work?
In period III, each common goal corresponds to a specific reward (not your choice).
Source: BGG thread
What does "most influence tokens in the regions" mean for common goal scoring?
It means the player who has the most physical influence tokens on the main board (in all regions combined). You do not count trains, and you do not count which regions have the most influence. Just the total number of influence tokens across all four regions.
Source: BGG thread
For solo mode common goals, does a goal like "6 influence in total" mean 6 in all regions combined or 6 in each region?
It means 6 influence tokens in total across all regions on the main board.
Nippon: Genro
Source: BGG thread
[Genro] If I gain an Extra Loyalty Bonus through interacting with a Genro, does it allow me to interact with that Genro once again?
No. The Extra Loyalty Bonus is for majority only; you do not gain other Genro bonuses. Place 1 Loyalty token from your supply on the Loyalty board of the Genro, placing it bright side up on the lowermost empty space of the column corresponding to the type of any of your Factories.
Source: BGG thread
[Genro] Do Special Contracts count toward Factory 3A bonuses that provide benefits per contract fulfilled?
No. Factory effects that provide bonuses upon fulfilling Contracts do not apply to Special Contracts.
Source: BGG thread