Because of Japan's racial characteristics, once they displayed an unmatched level of power, bringing them under control would be easy. They could completely take the top-down route; as long as they kept a low profile for a few mission cycles, they would be able to sweep through everything.
The situation in the United States was somewhat more complicated, however, and it could not take the same top-down route as Japan.
That said, the United States had its own weaknesses as well.
Namely, its internal conflicts.
The major financial conglomerates, corporations, families, unions, and political parties all had countless tangled interests and contradictions between them.
Cooperation and confrontation coexisted.
When conflicts of interest were not obvious and each side possessed considerable strength, it was easy for them to reach an understanding.
But once a conflict of interest crossed a line that did not match one's strength, one could be targeted and carved up at an astonishing speed.
In this era, there was not even the superficial pretense of the future. Many interests and conflicts were laid bare in the open.
It was the typical law of the jungle, where the strong devoured the weak. The few top financial conglomerates had already reached an understanding to maintain their monopolies and prevent any new top-tier conglomerates from emerging.
New legions and new companies could appear, but they would inevitably have to accept joint investment and control from the top financial conglomerates.
Otherwise...
They would find it impossible to get anywhere!
As a nation of immigrants, the United States also had extremely intense racial tensions.
All kinds of conflicts and riots had never ceased.
The states enjoyed a high degree of autonomy. There were even conflicts between states themselves, while the states and the Federal Government likewise competed and fought over power.
The Federal