Evangeline Anovilis

The Ambassador took his seat, after a polite bow to the Minister. "Thank you for receiving me, Minister Chen." "We do understand that a meeting requires quite some planning, which is why we tried to send a request in advance, so as to allow for a schedule to be drawn up that hopefully can be satisfactory. It would be a stay of several days at the Tokyo Imperial Palace, a complex that is well-guarded and well-maintained to ensure security and well-being of a visitor of such high standing." "As to what we seek from this visit, we were hoping that it could help demonstrate the close ties between our countries and hopefully also allow for a formal treaty of amity and non-aggression between our countries. It is the opinion of our government that Tianxia and Japan do share certain interests, especially in the regional security of the Asia-Pacific and the Pacific Rim and its shiplanes, where it was considered that cooperation would prove advantagous for both of us to conserve ressources while securing mutual benefits. Additionally, Prime Minister Akiyama was hoping to adress matters such as nuclear weaponry, your government's request to be given certain articles from captured Commonwealth military stock and one additional matter... Akiyama-san would like to request His Imperial Highness to maybe reannex into Tianxia the region of Outer Manchuria, in order to reestablish stable Imperial governance at this vital coastline along the Sea of Japan."

"Your Imperial Highness must have misunderstood." Akasaka-Panina countered, trying to not show too much rudeness towards the foreign head of state. "Our Empires are currently at peace, but even if such peace exists, our country views it as rather fragile and is thus unwilling to enter into any free trade agreements with Russia. I have already multiple times pointed out that Tokyo wishes for more measures to secure the peace beyond trade, but Abramovich-san was very ardent in that such was not necessary and ignored this matter pretty much. Thus, given you yourself are present, I would like to address the issue which our Empire thinks is most prudent to be settled, which is that we would propose a non-aggression treaty, as well as establish an understanding between our states, so as to avoid any tensions from arising and allow for cooperation in Trans-Pacific trade."

"Well, I did not expect much to have occurred, given both your states are relatively new still. But this was also one of the reasons we invited you both, given that to our Empire, it would be detrimental to our interests in Pacific security to have any issues in the Americas arise. And some things better be clarified as soon as possible, such as the security of the North American continent, something I think we all can agree to be important.", Akiyama responded, while waiting for Davis response.

"The Japanese Empire recognises this new country and hopes for good relations." -Nakamichi Minoru, Minister of Foreign Affairs of Japan

As the owner of the protectorate, I confirm this.

Diet passes the State Intervention Act The Ministry of Economics, Trade and Industry has today started its newest activities under the State Intervention Act, after the National Diet passed the law in its last session. The State Intervantion Act has been proposed by Minister Amahara, after the newest prognosis on the Japanese economy has been even worse than before. Despite an absolute and relative decrease in public debt, the Japanese economy is contracting again for the third quarter in a row. Reasons for this lackluster performance are most of all the collapse of Athens, the American Commonwealth and the Maratha Empire, as well as the regional trade partner of Meihua, which has significantly reduced the export market for Japanese manufacturing, causing increased competition with Tianxian business over the East Asian market. As a response, the METI has requested no less than ¥2.4 trillion through the State Intervention Act, with which it has been enabled to purchase and salvage failing businesses to stabilise the economy. The Jiyutō has denounced the initiative as "one more step towards extensive statism", given that it is expected that several hundred enterprises may be bought, restructured and run as state-owned enterprises until they earned their cost back. To the Liberals, this approach sounds not economically sound and overtly simplistic, seemingly over ¥2.4 trillion down the drain. However, Minister Amahara in a press conference stated that the METI does have plans to economically run the enterprises it purchases and that hopeless enterprises will not see a single dime. The Bank of Japan also has announced that it will lower interest rates, in order to assist businesses with financing themselves in these troublesome times and make investment more viable.

The Japanese ambassador was instructed to discuss matters.

Akiyama groaned, visibly annoyed. Sitting in her office, she stared at Tsukino quite angrily, her eyes already asking the question she was about to ask. "Why do I have to meet thid fellow? Right away in the morning no less? What's this important that it has to be now, Aoko?" Tsukino tried to politely gesture for Akiyama to calm down, lest they be heard by the guest. "Akiyama-dono, this is no trivial matter. This one was sent to us from our people in North America. They say she may be of incredible value. Her knowledge may prove to be important for the Fuyokai." Akiyama sighed and righted herself up in her chair, to be able to properly receive the guest. "I wonder what they dug up there. as far as I am aware, there's little of value there. But I trust your people, Aoko. Let her in." Akiyama was by no means unfamiliar with westerners, this wasn't the Meiji era anymore, but the one that entered her office now was just too peculiar. A bit on the smaller side, she looked rather old-fashioned and the black and grey made her seem a bit... lacking in colour. The style itself was at best something you'd expect out of an old times drama or a manga, Akiyama silently whispered to Tsukino who stood besides her even the question. "Is this what they call gothloli?" Tsukino pretented to not have heard a thing and hoped the guest hadn't either. But the foreigner indeed, apart from the brown hair, lacked all colour and the amount of old-fashioned ribbons and lace was a bit too much for Akiyama's tastes. "Welcome Madame. I am Akiyama Kagami. May I ask who you'd be?" The stranger curtseyed politely, before giving her response in French too. "I'm Marie Loriot, a physician from the banks of the Saint Laurent. I was sent here, as I was told that you may be interested in my knowledge?" Akiyama sighed internally, wondering why she now had to converse with this weirdo, not to mention... "Well, may I ask what a physician would know that'd be of interest to me?" Loriot giggled for a moment, then looked around in the room. "Madame Akiyama, I was sent here, because I heard you were searching for something. Something important. Something you deem necessary for perfection and completion... yet, you could not attain it." Akiyama slowly got angry, wondering what exactly Loriot was referring to, but she stayed silent. "Ah, you do search for a person, right? Someone outstanding. Black hair... red eyes..." As she heard the last words, Akiyamas anger made place for astonishment. Throwing out any moderation, she jumped up from her seat in surprise. "What do you know? Have you seen them?" Loriot smiled, knowing that in Akiyama's eyes she had something that attracted more attention than Faraway fashion. "I cannot say I met them, sadly. But I once knew someone who did. She met the red-eyed people... and I would say she was never again the same." "W-what happened? Where is this person? Can you bring her to me?" Loriot shook her head, showing a slight notion of melancholy. "Sadly, the one in question is no longer among us. She met one of them once and devoted her life to find them again. Until she passed from us without accomplishing anything, but spread terror." Akiyama seemed visibly displeased. "Do you have any other clues as to where we can find them?" Loriot shook her head. "Pardonnez-moi, but sadly, I have not the slightest idea as to where these people live. But what I do know, is that you should not seek them, nor should you assume that these are still alive. For all we know, they could have died." "No! They can't have died! They... they..." Akiyama had jumped up once more, this time however out of rage. Tsukino immediatly leaped forward to hold her back and keep her friend and superior from doing anything unwise. Loriot however seemed unfazed. "It is very much possible. The one I knew... she shared their curse... yet, she is dead. Others too... And you should hope that you will never get into contact with them." Akiyama was still being held back by the much stronger Tsukino, but that one seemed to have still a hard time holding her back, as she almost went on a minor rampage. "How can it be a curse? It is the one mark of divinity that we searched for. It must be a sign of their divine status. Do you have any idea what you are saying?" Loriot chuckled for a short moment. "Much more than you, Madame Akiyama. yes, I met the ones that met them... and they were miserable. I met the ones that were red-eyed... and they were miserable. Madame Akiyama, if there is anything divine in this... if this really is a sign of the Kami... then the Kami must hate you. For this is an affliction which brings naught but misery. Pain and misery." Akiyama seemed to calm down some, but still was extremely perturbed. "Are you basing this solely on your experience of one individual?" "No." Loriot responded without hesitation. "I base it on the history of a whole ruling class, and a whole nation." Akiyama slowly settled down in her chair again, brooding over the words of Loriot's. "How did you come to such conclusions?" "Well, you see... to me, the red eyes are not the work of the Kami or of any such divine entity. To me, they are the product of some insane desire for domination or some other corrupted wish. I... I have worked on this matter, researched it, experimented with it, I even tried to recreate it. All I can say though, after all these years, is that it is an art of a time long past. From an age which you can't even fathom. It is a science indistinguishable from magic for most and its results are indeed awe-inspiring, raising the question what god or demon has had their part in this." Loriot seemed rather grim about the matter. She could see that Akiyama had stopped trying to hit her for her shameless words, which kind of shook some long-held beliefs, but it was also clear that Akiyama would not believe her just like this. "Madame Akiyama, the old arts, they are a mystery which follow their own rules. As said, I did try to recreate them, but..." "But?" Akiyama asked. "Well, I wish I never had dabbled in this, Madame Akiyama. What was created... it was madness. Sheer madness. I have no idea what the original substance was. We managed to distill some residue from corrupted blood though, which... well, the person taking it too has since died. During their lifetime, they were psychotic, death through suicide. Depression I heard. I think that pretty much says what success it was..." Loriot sighed, as she remembered her own works. "Well, maybe it also is just the catastrophic result from trying to change human nature. I know, I once saw a being, which in its entirety, from head to toe, was the product of these old arts. And it was a blessing." Akiyama suddenly brightened up considerably. "So, you can't say all of this is bad? Maybe the original red eyes weren't bad either." Loriot sighed. "Maybe. But I doubt we'd know... and honestly, I'm not sure I want to know. Curiosity, Madame Akiyama, it can cause incredible harm. As can the desire for power. The reason I even approached you, is because I think you should keep such in mind. Especially when you desire so much a being that may be so flawed." Akiyama pondered for a moment, as to what to make of this. She had never seen Loriot before, nor had she seen the things Loriot described. But she didn't seem to have been cooking that up completely. Was Akiyama to give up her ambitions now? Well, not that they hurt Japan, really... And, was this all there was to this? "Madame Loriot, please excuse, but I'm not convinced you just came here to tell me that I should not look for people whom you believe they are most likely dead, because they bring disaster, without any proof to show for it. I do not take you for the person to just waste time trying to pointlessly argue with me without any evidence about matters that sound like superstition." Loriot was somewhat surprised for a moment, but then began to calmly smile. "Well, and you did not strike me as someone who just blindly believes all claims someone may make. Yet you believe in red eyes..." "There are records from the Empire on these matters, you know." Loriot nodded. "Ah, well... But I guess you did see through me." "So you made that up?" Loriot shook her head. "I did not. Sadly, I did not make it up. Madness was very much the by-product of the power... but it is, well, not much that seperates the genius from the insane. My homeland had a thousand reasons to crumble, the traits of its regime are just equally responsible for its success, as for the demise." "Then what do you want?" Loriot smiled a bit gleefully. "My country is gone. You seek power, you seek your monarch, I seek opportunities..." "Opportunities for what?" "Opportunities to create actual perfection." Akiyama raised an eyebrow. "I'm not sure I'd like some insane imperial oversight..." Loriot snickered. "Madame Akiyama, you are searching for someone whom's entire ideology has been deemed insane. You seek the supernatural. Yet, you fear exactly that? I don't know, but just as I am a person willing to create demons for my curiosity, so do you seem to be a person that flirts with demons for power..." Loriot stood up and seemed to make herself ready to leave, before drawing up a small flask from her sleeve. As she carefully put the ornate glass flask on the table, Akiyama could discern a purplish substance within it. "Well, I spoke my words of caution and my motives. I leave you with this though. It is the last thing my former master requested of me, before she died. And it is the last thing her henchman wanted of me, before she hanged herself. This flask contains a legacy of glory and disaster, it is the demon you might love or despise. I leave it up to you." And with that, she went. [hr] It had been some while, since Loriot had left, the flask still standing exactly where it was. Akiyama still sitting there, staring at it, Tsukino next to her, wondering what to do. It was as if time had frozen still in the room, before Tsukino finally broke the spell. "Akiyama-dono, what should we do now?" The Prime Minister did not respond. "Are you going to use her strange potion, Akiyama-dono?" Akiyama still did not respond. Now Tsukino was angry. With one quick motion she grabbed the flask and removed it from before Akiyama's eyes. "Kagamin, listen to me!" The adressed seemed shocked for a moment, before turning around. "Y-yes, what is it?" Seeing Tsukino this agitated was a rare sight for Akiyama. "A-Aoko, I'm sorry. What did you want?" Tsukino sighed. Staying angry just wasn't hers. At least not at Akiyama. "Kagamin, you aren't going to use this are you? It's witchcraft." She took out the bottle she had snatched away just moments ago, shaking it before Akiyama's eyes. But that one just sighed. "Am I really that bad, doing whatever it takes to get to me objective?" Akiyama seemed still shaken by the words. Somehow, these words had kind of shocked her, leaving her bereft of anything to counter with. Tsukino took the flask and put it aside. Kneeling down to be at the same height as her friend she gave Akiyama a tight hug. "You know, you are, Kagamin. You are incredibly ambigious. And you don't shy away from doing anything to get things done. But you know.. as long as I have known you, you were most of all concerned with the well-being of the country and the restoration of our prestige. You are working very hard and while some things may seem harsh, they at times are what is best and you will see to it being done. And you know, that is what I love about you, Kagamin. But you also always know that it is important to stay in control of what you do... and witchcraft isn't really part of that, is it?" Akiyama tried hard to keep her tears in, but a few still flowed down her cheeks, as she heard her friend's words. "Thanks Aoko. I'll try to do my best and maybe one time we can find her.... C-could you... could you keep the flask for now?" Tsukino was surprised about the sudden request. "W-why?" "Because it still seems unwise to let it fall into the wrong hands and I know noone whom I'd trust more... not even myself." Tsukino was speechless for a moment. On the one hand, because Akiyama's trust was seemingly absolute. On the other hand... she had not noticed what kind of burden this flask seemingly was for Akiyama, for whatever reason. "I'll see to it."

Confidential In a meeting of the Naval Staff and the Prime Minister, the decision has been made to modify the design of the Project 203-class. After several studies and considerable debate, on the insistence of the Prime Minister and the Minister of the Navy, the Naval Staff ordered that the current design be elongated by 10 metres and that the aviation platform be downsized, in order to fit an additional gun turret onto the ship. This has increased the weight of the ship slightly beyond the 80,000 tons planned, even though modifications to the armour protection were made to counter the immense increase in weight. The weight increase still however will mean that the new ships will be slower than the Shinano and Mutsu classes and only comparable to the Akitsushima, which has a top speed of 30 knots, which it however is sluggish to reach. These changes will not be disclosed publicly.

While the Kokumin Hoshutō had been for quite some time a rather heterogenous party, of diverse interests, being supported by rural areas, the armed forces, the internal security, the industrialists, conservative urbanites and nationalists, leading at times even to splinters, such as the Shimpotō and Shin Shimpotō, Prime Minister and party president Akiyama was not too willing on letting factionalism stop her policies. But in addition to her already great influence, both formal and informal, within the party, Tsukino supplied her with an instrument that steadily increased the Prime Minister's power and kept the other factions somewhat in check - the national intelligence. While the reorganisation of the Naichō and the Totsū into the Chūōchō had happened "to bring the intelligence apparatus under control", Akiyama had made it into one of her most loyal and reliable pillars of her power. Of course, there were limits on how far she could use this tool to her advantage, however, it sufficed for her when Tsukino acted as the necessary whip to keep the party and military in line and prevent them from countering the course decided by Akiyama. What saved Akiyama much trouble was her incredible popularity, after the successful war against the Commonwealth. Had she been fighting against popular opinion for quite some timenow, with a party tarnished by past militarism, so was the very same popular opinion now what she could use to silence the more moderate critics, most of all the other conservatives in the Diet and the Sesshō, whom Akiyama informed of her intentions whenever she found it necessary, but whom she mostly ignored, as to her, he had stopped mattering. If he had constructed the foundation, Akiyama was now the one to construct the powerhouse and her worth as an architect she had already shown to most Japanese. But even with the national prestige akiyama brought, not all was rosy in her Japan. Time and time again, the Prime Minister was not beating around the bush much, in her at times quite radical opinions, especially on matters such as "leftist subversives" and the "weak democracy of the nation", which she countered with the idea of a stronger more centralised and more community-centered democracy of the Japanese. "This age belongs to the one who acts and seizes it. A state that cannot act will never seize it. Japan has to be able to act, or we will be cast aside by those who surpass us. Japan's destiny ought to be shaped by Japanese, not by anyone else." Such and more caused the opposition to only harden, as the Prime Minister polarised society. But she could afford to do so, as long as she kept her majority. A majority she was ready to defend with all means, if such became necessary.

"The Inner Territories, that is, the Home Islands, including Karafuto, Chishima and the Nanpō Islands. Excluded would be the South Seas Territory in Micronesia and any other Japanese territory or comittment outside our East asian holdings. And intelligence cooperation naturally can be part of this. As it is, the threat from non-state actors is very much real and should be adressed and not be ignored. Cooperation on getting rid of subversive elements will hopefully protect the internal stability and peace of both our nations."

"Well, given the economic matters seem to have been settled, I'd guess there are a few security matters I'd like to raise..." Akiyama stated, thinking for a moment, before proceeding. "While I in no way want to force you into any diplomatic arrangement, I would still like to offer Korea a defensive alliance. As it is, the Japanese Empire considers the Korean nation's independence as important and any unwarranted aggression against your nation will most likely be answered by a Japanese intervention to preserve the status quo. So I can already promise you our help on such an informal basis. The treaty would be merely for a more mutual and formal basis, if you so desire. I would of course deem it most prudent to limit it to attacks on our countries proper, not overseas holdings or stationed troops, both of which Japan has and where Korea might not be in much of a position to assist anyway. We do not want to drag Korea into fights after all, but it seems to me, assisting each other against outside powers would be mutually benifitial."

Given Tianxia's response to the Japanese request, the Japanese Ambassador Shiramine Yusuke was instructed by the government in Tokyo to meet with the Imperial governments representatives, so as to present them the matters the Japanese government deemed worth addressing and to respond to those questions Tianxia may ask. Without wasting much time, the Japanese ambassador went to meet his Tianxia counterpart, hoping for a conductive and productive meeting.

"It is hardly enough, is it?" Tsukino was used to hear Akiyama's musings in the morning, when she visited to provide the daily report. But seldom did she see the Prime Minister this serious. Maybe it was the morning hours, and Akiyama being no morning person, but normally it were trivialities that were uttered. However, the stone grey eyes of Akiyama glared with determination at Tsukino, who felt slightly uncomfortable with the strange attention. "What is, Akiyama-dono?" "Our efforts. We are not going far enough." Tsukino was puzzled over Akiyama's words. "For what?" Akiyama stared at the wondering Tsukino, before turning towards the paperwork on her desk. Shifting through the different notes she had received while asleep, she countered with a question. "Tsukino, why are we not seen as a great power?" Silence fllowed, as Tsukino tried to think of a response, which she finally gave, albeit a bit timidly. "Are we not at least considered a power? We have surely attained a position to stand next to the defeated Commonwealth, if not Russia." Akiyama sighed. "Let me rephrase the issue, Tsukino. Would you deem Russia to be a power next to Tianxia?" This time, the response needed far less time. "No?!" Akiyama did not look up, but continued. "Of course you don't. Because it's a preposterous idea. Any child knows they are different. And do you know why?" Akiyama didn't wait for a response this time, answering her own question. "Because while the both seem in a state of relative decline, Tianxia is a systemically strong nation... just ruled by a man that has nowhere the stature of his father. Russia is a systemically weak nation, that can't go anywhere beyond its borders as it stands. And people know that difference. They remember the days of Yuan Jia and know what Tianxia is capable of, of how Tianxia once dominated the world and Yuan Jia surpassed the British Empire in his control of the globe... what is there to recall with Russia? How they assisted in beating up the Northern Imperium to get their colony in Vancouver? How they almost lost against the Pure Lands? Some power that is... yet, they still hold a higher position in global affairs than us." Tsukino stayed quiet, merely listening, as Akiyama rambled about the perceived status of the powers. "As said, our efforts are not enough, Tsukino. This might be called the Japanese Empire, but look at Russia... Empires aren't forged by treaties and agreements. They are forged by blood and steel, as I think Bismarck put it so eloquently. Because when it comes down to it, the ultimative argument will always be the force upon which a country can fall back on. Which is why people fear Tianxia... not necessarily Russia." Tsukino sensed an opportunity to throw in a retort, as she stated. "But you did state we do need to avoid war with Russia." The Prime Minister frowned. "Well, first off, a war is a war, an expenditure of ressources. And what would you want of the Russians? More Karafuto? Some Yakutia? I think that there are more promising returns from avoiding war and using our ressources otherwise, if we can. Now, secondly... I may have stated that Russia was not on Tianxia's level, but we need not get over-confident here. Russia does command vast ressources and people and it seems quite unified, especially on the defense. Meanwhile, we still get criticised for Alaska. Japan is not ready for any military adventurism... I did tell you to keep an eye on that, right?" Tsukino nodded obediently. "You did, Akiyama-dono. We have kept an eye on the military and they seem to avoid any actions that were not approved by you." "Good, because I don't need those fools from the Navy to think they got a free reign here or for the Army to try demonstrate its own power. The military should be Japan's sword. And a sword cuts when its master swings it. It rests in its sheath when it is not drawn and it neither acts on its own, nor questions the purpose given to it." The morning briefing seemed to have drawn out quite a bit, Tsukino wondered, thus she timidly raised the question. "Would there be anything I can help with, Akiyama-dono? Otherwise, I would ask that I can take my leave." Akiyama looked up from her notes for the first time again. "You can leave for now, Tsukino, but I will require your assistence in the coming days. As said, our current efforts are not enough. We need to change our approach, if we want to be ever worthy of our sovereign. I can count on the Agency's services?" Tsukino bowed respectfully. "Always at your command, Akiyama-dono." Then she turned around and left. "The Genkai era is over. Time Japan actually learns that and acts for itself.", Akiyama rambled, as the door closed.

"I guess the industrial matters are settled then. I'll be advising out Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry to inform our own industrialists of this, so that they know of the opportunities for this mutually benefitial investment. I trust your forces to be able to hold back the communists, if not, feel free to ask for assistence. In regards to the agricultural college, I'm optimistic that we can send several experts on the matter to hold courses and exchange knowledge. Hopefully, the standard of Korean agriculture can be raised to a productivity similar to ours this way."

Public Accompanied by the usual celebrations, the Japanese Navy has today commissioned four new ships. The new Sendai-class heavy destroyers are successors to the preceeding Suzuya-class heavy destroyers and share many design details as a true evolution of the design. Slightly larger, the new class is armed with a heavier load of torpedo launchers, to increase its capabilities against submarines. This has mostly been bought at the expense of weight gans and diminished carrying capability. The four new ships are the first of three new classes of heavy destroyers. Ships in class include Sendai, Shizunai, Kako and Hino. Highly Confidential The Sendai-class has been equipped for now with a heavy torpedo load at the expense of the hangar space, reducing the drone carrying capabilities to 4 UAVs, instead of the usual 6 to 8 of the Suzuya-class. While some in the Naval Staff have voiced criticism over the armament, the Sendai-class will remain as is with four reloadable quintuple torpedo launchers for 60 533 mm Wave Lance torpedoes.

For a moment, akiyama faked astonishment, given that the question, while it was one she personally would not have raised, she had expected. Thus, the answer was also kind of clear. "Well, I guess in the Southern States, it has been less apparant, but just ask those in British Columbia or in Québec. I would think that the act of threatening armed conflict with our country twice, as well as the war of aggression against one of their fellow nations in North America, leading to the death of over a million people, not to a minor part civilians due to the wanton razing of cities in terror bombardements... honestly, the Commonwealth has shown nought but hostility towards both nations outside the Americas and their own neighbours in the Americas." Her grim expressions brightened up a bit, as she friendly remarked. "The guilt and decadence of the American Commonwealth is proven beyond doubt. I'd hope though that there be no revisionist propaganda in the Americas, trying to draw up some apologist narrative to excuse mass murdering and a hostile foreign policy that ultimatively led to America's demise. The Commonwealth is dead and to remain dead."

Akechi smiled wryly, before responding. "Mister Bashir, as you might already know, our Empire is seeking to expand its trade ties and cooperations, given that as it stands, while Japan posesses a presence in the Pacific that can no longer be described as negligible, our position within the current global structures is hardly noteworthy and barely above the status of a minor power. It is our hope thus, that maybe we can discuss the establishment of potential trade ties, which I think would be mutually benefitial, given especially your country's natural riches which we lack, while we can trade to your country all sorts of high-tech goods and appliances. And maybe, if you'd be inclined, discuss some security cooperation, at least in respect to the trade routes between our countries and if possible to assist each other in preventing the spread of radical ideologies that are a fundamental threat to both our regimes." Akechi then pondered for a second on something, before adding a question. "Also, if I may ask... Japan has been long surrounded by Tianxia and Russia, but we had cordial relations with Tianxia for a good few years now. Arabia however seems to be surrounded by an Athenian Federation in upheaval, the Russian Empire and the new Central Asian socialist or whatever state of Azadistan, neither of the three I'm aware of has real ties to you. How does Arabia see this situation? I would be quite worried, would it be Japan that was encircled by potentially hostile forces like this."

Akasaka-Panina sighed. Was it that hopeless? "Our Empire does not care whether you produce more. We care whether someone produces enough to sell us and whether they can provide us with secure and stable trade relations. As it is, the trade with Tianxia is going well, especially in higher quality consumer goods and electronics, something your country doesn't offer that much." The last export in that regard Akasaka-Panina remembered was Tetris. And while it was a hit, there wasn't really all that much otherwise to trade. "Meanwhile, you may claim the Americas require all their ressources themselves, but as you correctly analysed, the Americas have economically collapsed and are facing drastic recession of sorts. I do doubt that their reduced productivity will require as many ressources as it did before and while the reconstruction may end up reviving the demand, such too will provide Japan with investment opportunities. Abramovich-san, feel free to flaunt your mineral riches and claim that trade is all the security we need, but I have been instructed by my government at home to inform you, if such be necessary, that the Japanese Empire has no interest in establishing trade relations with a country where we feel that such would potentially give you leverage over our Empire. So, while trade per se with you may be advantagous, as long as the peace between our two nations is not secured, I am not going to sign any free trade agreement."

Akiyama rolled her eyes, before nodding and putting on a friendly smile again. "Monsieurs, as you might be aware, the Japanese Empire has not come to the Americas to permanently occupy territory in an expansionist bid for colonies, but we came to evict the Commonwealth from Alaska and then to overthrow the oppressive regime which preceeded both your countries. What this means, is that we are not aiming at a permanent weakening of the American continent, but rather a reintegration of this sphere into the world's structures as a partner. For this, I like to propose to both of you an American-Japanese free trade agreement, as well as I would like to convey to both of you my hopes that the North American nations cooperate, for their own security and for that of the continent."

This factbook, as well as my RP uses Japanese name order as a standard when rendering Japanese (and generally Asian) names. Thus, the given name follows the surname. e.g. Konoe Nobuhisa carries the surname Konoe and the given name Nobuhisa. Please keep that in mind, unless you want to be rude and address people with a completely unjustified intimacy. Important Characters Konoe Household Konoe Nobuhisa The honourable Konoe Nobuhisa is the de facto head of state of Japan, overseeing it in the Emperor's stead. Appointed by Yuan Jia I, Konoe Nobuhisa tries to act as a non-partisan arbiter in national politics and he distances himself from the political factions that compete for power in national politics. As the head of the Konoe clan and leading figure in the home rule movement, Konoe enjoys much respect by the ordinary Japanese and is generally judged favorably. Still, behind the scenes, Konoe is also willing to take a stance, should it be necessary to curb radical tendencies. His wife, Konoe Sanae (née Honda) has died shortly after the birth of their daughter Sakuya and he aims to raise their daughter to be a proper woman. Konoe Sakuya Being the daughter of the Governor-General, Sakuya is a young woman that draws society's attention. She was raised as a proper young Japanese woman, though, as the sole daughter of the current head of the Konoe clan, expectations for her to do something meaningful are high. Unafiliated Northern Clique Nakamichi Minoru Second Prime Minister of Dai-Tōhoku and first Prime Minister of Japan, Nakamichi has become a colourful person in Japanese politics. As a central character in the Hoshutō he became Minister of Foreign Affairs and established the basis of the nation's foreign affairs. With the fall of the Minshutō from power, Nakamichi became prime minister for three terms, before he stepped back in the wake of the Fuso incident. Still, he remains part of the upper echelons of the Kokumin Hoshutō and it is unclear what his political future might be. Hagane no Dōmei Date Seiranko A former naval officer, mayor of Sendai, Miyagi and leading figure in the Kokumin Hoshutō, Date is one of the most important members of the so-called Northern Clique. She has personal contacts to the Konoe household through their common activism for an independent Japan and it was her political influence that brought Nakamichi to the Hoshutō's forefront. Currently, she serves as the Minister of the Navy, in charge of a major part of the armed forces. Seiranko also claims to be the head of the Date clan. Her character is marked by a certain adherance to traditional values, but also an assertiveness and aggressiveness when it comes to her political aims. She had lost her position as Minister of the Navy after the Carrier Incident, but was reinstated by Akiyama, during the time immediatly before the Japanese-Commonwealth War. Date is the head of the informal Hagane no Dōmei, a militaristic national conservative faction among the party. Akechi Mitsuki As the Minister of Foreign affairs, Akechi was Nakamichi's successor, though most people would agree that her diplomatic skills are far below those of Nakamichi. Her rather forceful and aggressive approach to the nation's diplomacy is close to Date's way of thinking, altough she is not part of the original Northern Clique. Instead, Akechi has earned her position more by rallying Chūbu region nationalists to the conservative cause. Still, many think, Akechi should not be underestimated, especially given her potential to cause damage. After the Carrier Incident, she was purged and is now only appointed as occasional ambassador to other countries, posts she receives mostly due to her old connections. Still, with Japan rising, even Akechi senses a possible return as possible. Fuyokai Akiyama Kagami Akiyama Kagami comes from a rather affluent household in Akita and is part of the Northern elite that rules the Japanese Empire. Although being of the Second Generation of the Northern Clique, after the dissolution of Japanese home rule for several years due to the Carrier Incident, Akiyama rose to power as an obscure "moderate conservative" and restored the power of the Kokumin Hoshutō. However, despite her reputation as prudent and moderate politician, Akiyama's policies to reign in military and intelligence apparatus have contributed more to her own power base as Prime Minister than to the peace in the region. Still, as the victor over the American Commonwealth, akiyama is popular and despite her eccentric character, Akiyama's influence grows by the day. Akiyama also heads the Fuyokai, a small group of politicians that aim for closer relations with Korea and restoration of Imperial rule. Tsukino Aoko One of Akiyama Kagami's most loyal followers and friends, she has been instated as chief of the National Intelligence, heading the Central Intelligence Research Agency and reporting directly to the Prime Minister. Most people consider her Akiyama's lapdog and call her Hachikō, after the other loyal Akita inu, though less affectionate than for the real dog. To be expanded Note: This is important for my RP, not necessarily important politically for the nation. Many important people will not be here, some people here may be politically of lesser or even negligible importance.

Public ShinMaywa US-2 of the Nihongun The TRDI and ShinMaywa have launched a project for the development of a AEW&C variant of the ShinMaywa US-2 flying boat. The concept has been brought forward, due to a request by the Ministry of the Navy on such an aircraft. The ShinMaywa ES-2, as the new aircraft would be designated, would have a speed comparable to the E-2 Hawkeye and a range greater than it, while having the advantage of not requiring a runway. As a downside, the aircraft is much larger. The idea has been brought up due to the lack of AEW&C capability on the Mihō-class auxiliary carriers, limiting the usefulness of the class. The project is part of a larger effort to compensate for this issue, especially after the failure of development of an AEW&C variant of the Neptune III UAV. The idea for the ES-1 would be to deploy amphibious aircraft alongside the auxiliary carriers, either carried by other ships to the theater, or flying in and operating via replenishment ships. The alternatives include development of a new UAV to be used for AEW&C or trying to fit a E-2 Hawkeye on the Mihō-class instead of the UAVs. The Nihon Kaigun hopes that with a solution to this issue, auxiliary carriers might be less depenent on fleet carriers and able to provide limited effective air cover to battleship battle groups and even destroyer squadrons, if assigned to those.

"Oh, should such a signal reach us, we will respond naturally. It is after all only normal to do so. Sadly, we do not have a global presence though, being mostly restricted in our presence to the Northern Pacific, with occassional operations in the South China Sea, the Java Sea and the Caribbean. Mostly just to patrol these sealanes and show our presence, given that these are vital trade routes for our country. If you want some long range search and rescue capabilities, especially for the Caribbean, I'd suggest you may procur some flying boats. Our nation has quite a few of them and they do a good service. I'm sure in these waters they'd be quite valuable too.", Nakamichi responded, before following the gestures of Armstrongs and taking a look at the Coucil Chambers. It seemed quite a nice building. It had a classy elegant flair to it, yet seemed not too pretentious or over the top. Nakamichi left the car, nodding thankfully to Armstrong who had opened his door. "I'm already looking forward to meeting the Council's representative. Talking to you, I do have hopes for a good and cooperative relationship." He then followed the guards to the meeting location.

"That is good to hear.", Akechi responded. "The region has much potential, even if much of it is harsh in its climate. Natural ressources and the strategic location can cause Arabia to become quite a regional power, if it is harnessed well. Or the object of other's aggression, if not protected well. But well, I'm here to try to negotiate a friendly and cooperative relationship, not to make ominous precautions for the future."