Konflikt '47 Japan: New Miniatures, Weird War Technology & Army Style
Konflikt '47 Japan: New Miniatures, Weird War Technology & Army Style
The Empire of Japan is rapidly becoming one of the most distinctive armies in Konflikt '47.
And in 2026, the faction has received exactly the kind of attention it needed.
Japan already had an unusual identity built around fanatical infantry, powered armor, Shiboru Rift weapons, Ghost troops, and strange walkers. The latest wave pushes that identity much further with Kimura Tadaaki, new Ghost units, Shadow Warriors, the Ghost Infiltration Platoon, and the Special Type Onryō Assault Walker. Warlord's August 2026 army-list update added these new units and revised several Shiboru weapon costs to give Japanese armies more list-building flexibility.
The result is an army that does not simply feel like historical Imperial Japan with a few science-fiction guns attached.
Japan now has a very clear Weird War identity:
ambush, infiltration, close-range aggression, Rift-powered weaponry, phasing troops, and increasingly bizarre war machines.
That makes it an excellent choice for players who want Konflikt '47 at its strangest.
Browse the latest Konflikt '47 miniatures at Tistaminis for starter armies, Weird War infantry, walkers, vehicles, books, and new releases.
Konflikt '47 Japan at a Glance
- Army Style: Aggressive infiltration and ambush
- Signature Technology: Shiboru Rift weapons
- Signature Units: Ghost Attack Infantry
- New 2026 Direction: Ghost Infiltration Platoons
- New Hero: Kimura Tadaaki, Scourge of the Spirit Realm
- New Infantry: Shadow Warriors
- New Walker: Special Type Onryō Assault Walker
- Existing Walker: Type 7 Sasori Light Walker
- Best For: Players who like ambushes, unusual movement, close-range aggression, powered armor, and Weird War technology
What Makes Japan Different in Konflikt '47?
Konflikt '47 takes World War II beyond 1945 into an alternate 1947 transformed by the appearance of mysterious Rifts.
Those Rifts accelerate military technology dramatically.
Across the game's factions, conventional tanks and infantry now fight alongside:
- Powered armor
- Walkers
- Automated troops
- Reanimated soldiers
- Genetic monstrosities
- Experimental energy weapons
Japan develops its own approach to this new technology.
The current army list emphasizes stealth, close-range attacks, Rift-enhanced weaponry, and units capable of appearing where opponents least want them.
Japan's Core Battlefield Fantasy
You are not simply marching across the table and trading fire.
Japanese forces want to use terrain, Ambush, infiltration, outflanking, and Rift technology to create engagements on their own terms.
Japan's Army Rules Explained
The Empire of Japan army list gives the faction four thematic special rules that define its playstyle.
| Rule | What It Encourages |
|---|---|
| Death Before Dishonour | Fanatical infantry and aggressive assaults |
| From Nowhere | Longer Ambush Charges and close-range surprises |
| Shadow Work | Using cover and Ambush Orders defensively |
| Secrets of Iwo Jima | Earlier and more flexible outflanking with Rift units |
Together, those rules tell us exactly what the faction is trying to do.
Japan rewards players who think about where the enemy will be, not simply where they are right now.
ARMY RULE Death Before Dishonour
Japanese Infantry and Artillery gain the Fanatics special rule and automatically pass Morale Checks when assaulted by enemy Vehicles.
Japanese units can also re-roll failed Order Tests when attempting to Assault.
What Does That Mean in Practice?
Japan naturally supports aggressive close-range play. You are encouraged to:
- Commit infantry to assaults
- Contest important terrain
- Push damaged units harder than opponents may expect
- Use morale resilience to maintain pressure
That gives the faction a strong traditional infantry identity underneath all the supernatural technology.
ARMY RULE From Nowhere
Japanese Infantry on Ambush can perform an Ambush Charge against enemies moving within a greater distance than normally allowed.
That turns Ambush into something more threatening than simply waiting to fire.
Your Opponent Now Has to Consider:
- Whether moving near hidden infantry is safe
- Whether an objective is actually undefended
- Whether approaching terrain creates an assault opportunity
- Whether a Japanese unit is deliberately waiting rather than inactive
This creates exactly the kind of psychological pressure an ambush-focused army should generate.
ARMY RULE Shadow Work
Japan's Rift-enhanced stealth technology improves the protection of units waiting in Ambush when they are already benefiting from cover.
Your opponent may want to remove those units before moving forward — but they become more difficult to dislodge while waiting for exactly that opportunity.
This Makes Terrain Especially Important
Japanese armies should pay close attention to ruins, forests, buildings, walls, defensive positions, and choke points.
A table with meaningful terrain makes the faction substantially more interesting. Browse our tabletop terrain collection if you are building a battlefield for Konflikt '47.
ARMY RULE Secrets of Iwo Jima
Japanese Rift units performing Outflanking Manoeuvres can arrive earlier than normal and receive additional flexibility when entering the battlefield.
Why This Matters
Outflanking forces create uncertainty. Your opponent cannot simply evaluate the units currently standing on the table — they also need to think about what may suddenly arrive from another direction.
This Works Particularly Well With:
- Fast Rift units
- Ghost troops
- Walkers
- Units intended to attack vulnerable support pieces
Japan Rewards Patience
The army may look aggressive, but good Japanese play is not necessarily about charging immediately. Sometimes the stronger move is forcing your opponent to advance into the threat of Ambush, infiltration, or an unexpected Rift unit arriving from a flank.
Shiboru Weapons: Japan's Signature Rift Technology
Japan's Weird War arsenal is built heavily around Shiboru weaponry — Rift-powered weapons that appear throughout the army, from infantry rifles to weapons mounted on tanks and walkers.
Units Using Shiboru Technology Include:
- Imperial Japanese Shiboru Rifle Squads
- Battle-Frame Armoured Infantry
- Assault-Frame Armoured Infantry
- Ghost Attack Squads
- Sniper Teams
- Type 6-Kai Ke-Ho Light Walkers
- Type 7 Sasori Light Walkers
- Type 97-Kai Shiboru Chi-Ha
- Type 3-Kai Shiboru Chi-Nu
Warlord reduced the Requisition Point costs of a number of Shiboru-equipped units and upgrades in the August 2026 update after playtesting and community feedback.
Why Were the Costs Changed?
Rift weapons made many Japanese units relatively expensive, which could leave Japanese armies with fewer Order Dice than opponents. Reducing the costs gives players more flexibility when building lists without abandoning the faction's signature technology.
This Is a Significant Improvement
A faction should not feel punished for using the equipment that defines it. Making Shiboru-heavy armies easier to construct allows players to lean harder into the Weird War side of Japan.
Ghost Attack Infantry: One of Japan's Defining Units
If one unit captures what makes Konflikt '47 Japan different from Bolt Action Japan, it is the Ghost Attack Squad.
These troops use Rift technology to redeploy across the battlefield by exhausting a Rift Die — threatening exposed units, repositioning toward objectives, escaping poor engagements, and forcing opponents to protect areas they thought were safe.
This is Weird War gaming in the best sense. The unit's Rift technology changes how it interacts with the entire battlefield, not just what it can shoot at.
Ghost Attack Infantry Got Better in August 2026
The August rules update revised the Bon Odori Active Rift Enhancement. After using the ability, the squad now needs to redeploy at least 6 inches away from enemy units rather than 12 inches.
That significantly increases the number of places the unit can realistically appear — a meaningful change on tables where large armies can occupy enormous sections of the board.
The Ghost Infiltration Platoon
Japan's newest army-building option is the Ghost Infiltration Platoon — a Specialist Platoon that can replace the normally compulsory Assault Platoon and form the core of an entire Japanese force.
Its Minimum Structure Includes:
- Ghost Infiltration Platoon Commander
- Two Ghost Attack Squads
- One Special Type Onryō Assault Walker
Ghost units are no longer simply unusual support elements added to an otherwise conventional Japanese army. You can now build the entire army around them.
If the supernatural side of Konflikt '47 is what attracts you to the game, the Ghost Infiltration Platoon may be one of the most thematic forces currently available in the game.
Shadow Warriors
The August army-list update introduced the Shadow Warrior Squad — another specialist option that reinforces Japan's identity around stealth, infiltration, and unconventional battlefield positioning.
The best faction expansions do not merely add more units. They make the army's identity clearer.
Japan in 2026 is becoming increasingly easy to describe: get close without approaching in the way your opponent expects.
Kimura Tadaaki: Scourge of the Spirit Realm
Japan receives a new Hero in Kimura Tadaaki, Scourge of the Spirit Realm — a named commander whose backstory and abilities reinforce exactly what the army is trying to do on the table.
Rather than every force being led by anonymous officers, Heroes like Kimura provide distinctive models, unique battlefield abilities, narrative personality, and a centrepoint for themed forces. For players building a Ghost Infiltration Platoon, he is the natural choice to lead it.
The Special Type Onryō Assault Walker
The Special Type Onryō Assault Walker is the centrepiece kit of Japan's 2026 expansion and one of the most striking models in the Konflikt '47 range.
In Japanese folklore, an Onryō is a vengeful spirit — a ghost that returns from the dead to haunt and destroy. The name alone tells you what kind of machine this is supposed to be.
Its Role in the Army
The Onryō is a mandatory inclusion in the Ghost Infiltration Platoon, making it the anchor of Japan's new specialist force. Rather than a conventional walker designed purely for firepower, it fits the faction's broader supernatural theme: Rift-enhanced capabilities, a distinctive aesthetic, and a role designed to complement Ghost Attack Infantry in close-range aggressive play.
It is not a gun platform you park at the back of your deployment zone. It belongs at the heart of the action alongside the Ghost Attack Squads it leads into battle.
Also Worth Considering: The Type 7 Sasori Light Walker
If you are not ready to commit to the Ghost Infiltration Platoon, the Type 7 Sasori Light Walker remains Japan's established walker option. Lighter and more versatile, the Sasori fits comfortably into a standard Japanese Assault Platoon and is a solid first walker purchase for players building toward the full supernatural aesthetic.
Is the Empire of Japan Right for You?
Our Verdict
For players who want a unique playstyle: Yes. Japan is one of the most mechanically distinctive factions in Konflikt '47. The combination of Ambush rules, Rift redeployment, and outflanking tools creates a very different game than simply moving forward and shooting.
For existing Bolt Action Japan players: The army shares its historical roots but plays very differently. Konflikt '47 Japan rewards patience and positional thinking alongside the aggression you may already be used to.
For collectors: The 2026 range is genuinely striking. Ghost Attack Infantry, Kimura Tadaaki, Shadow Warriors, and the Onryō Walker give you a cohesive supernatural aesthetic across the whole force.
For new Konflikt '47 players: Japan has a steeper learning curve than some factions. Start with the Empire of Japan Starter Army — the payoff is worth it once you understand the army rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to play Bolt Action before starting Konflikt '47?
No. Konflikt '47 is a standalone game with its own complete rulebook. It is built on the same core system as Bolt Action, so familiarity with Bolt Action helps, but it is not required. If you are brand new to both games, Konflikt '47 is a perfectly valid starting point — especially if the Weird War setting appeals to you more than straight historical wargaming.
Is the Empire of Japan a good army for beginners?
Japan is one of the more nuanced factions in Konflikt '47. Its strength comes from positioning, Ambush timing, and understanding when to hold back rather than simply advancing. That said, the Empire of Japan Starter Army gives you a well-rounded force that works even before you have mastered every rule. Expect a learning curve of a few games before the faction's full potential becomes clear.
What is the best starting point for a new Japan player?
The Empire of Japan Starter Army is the natural first purchase — it gives you a complete, playable force out of the box. From there, Ghost Attack Infantry is the single most impactful addition you can make, as they represent the faction's core Weird War identity. If you want to go all-in on the Ghost theme, Kimura Tadaaki makes an excellent Hero centrepiece.
What makes Konflikt '47 Japan different from other factions in the game?
Most factions in Konflikt '47 use Weird War technology to hit harder or absorb more punishment. Japan uses it differently — primarily to control positioning. Ghost troops that can redeploy mid-game, infantry that charge from Ambush at unexpected ranges, and Rift units that outflank earlier than normal all work together to create an army that fights on its own terms rather than trading blows in the open. It is one of the most tactically distinct playstyles in the game.
Can I use my Konflikt '47 Japan miniatures with Bolt Action?
The historical infantry and vehicles — standard Japanese soldiers, Chi-Ha tanks, support weapons — are fully compatible with Bolt Action and use the same 28mm scale. The Weird War-specific units like Ghost Attack Infantry, powered armor, and walkers are Konflikt '47-specific and do not have official Bolt Action rules, though many players use them as proxies or in friendly games with house rules.
When will the Onryō Assault Walker and Shadow Warriors be available?
Both the Special Type Onryō Assault Walker and Shadow Warriors were introduced in the August 2026 army-list update. Stock availability depends on Warlord Games' production and shipping schedule. Check our Konflikt '47 collection for the latest availability, or contact us if you would like to be notified when they arrive.
Shop Konflikt '47 Japan at Tistaminis
We stock the full Konflikt '47 range including the Empire of Japan Starter Army, Ghost Attack Infantry, Type 7 Sasori Light Walker, Kimura Tadaaki, and new releases as they arrive.