The largest result of the Second Great Depression in the Eastern World was the rise of China into a true superpower.  Japan and the largest concentration of developed AIs on the planet stood alone against that juggernaut for years.  Zelda coordinated Japan’s point defense networks, shooting down every Chinese missile, while Kasumi infiltrated their networks and slagged every computer she could access.  Other AIs joined in, and the Chinese did not enjoy the experience.