What are they doing?
Japan isn't going to take a side in a European dispute (Heck, we don't even care what happens in India, let alone Europe, we really only care about our own interests), but I do think there is a serious tendency, in general, for people to actually dislike "Villainous" IOT players just for being Villainous. In truth, I don't really like that trend, IMO the best games have villains.
There are a few things that just tick me in general though. Trying to use "I'm gonna change my empire into Mathalamus Empire for the 10th time" as a threat is one of those. A more general example is constantly threatening war, but never bringing it because you are too cowardly (There is a fine line between this and a bluff, but there IS a line don't mistake me.)