Rising Sun puts the player in command of the Imperial Navy – built around a powerful fleet of battleships and aircraft carriers, as well as the Imperial Army – hardened from years of war with the Chinese. Managing the limited resources available to build a well-balanced force of unique units such as the lethal A6M Zero fighter aircraft and the mighty Yamato battleship class will be the key to a successful outcome of the Japanese offensive. From the beginning of the campaign, starting with the air raid against Pearl Harbor, the initiative lays in the hands of Japan, but as Allied resistance stiffens.