If France remains in the war, Japan cannot easily coerce French Indochina, and Hong Kong alone offers too little reward for the risk of attacking Britain. American control of the Philippines and continued French control of Indochina would also make a direct approach to Singapore exceptionally difficult. The scenario therefore requires France to fall while the reinforced Allied position leaves Norway as an active land and naval front. This keeps Britain committed in Europe yet still changes the strategic geography facing Japan.
Chapter · 30:06-34:15
The scenario needs France fallen but Norway fighting
To preserve the premise of a later Pacific war, the scenario assumes that France falls while an active Norwegian front continues absorbing British forces.