After MANY more games here is some advice to make a tough Japan.
Keep in mind that you should not be trying to "defeat" the US in the literal sense. The idea is to stall them so the focus here is buying as much time as possible.
Mobile Air power is KING in the Pacific.
1) Buy a factory out of the gates
2) Do not use up alot of resources in China but if opportunities present themselves...
3) Build Carriers (light and/or fleet) before Pearl.
4) Try to max build fighters if possible. It may be painful at first but you will be VERY glad you did later in the game.
5) Try to take VPs that are far away initially. Fort men down if possible. After this, go for the closer VPs.
This is a basic strategy that I have used that seems to have delayed the US approach. They have to play catch up for 4-8 turns before they can really pound you. Face it, a good US player will plan accordingly- they are going to do it sooner or later and it might as well be later.
John