Kahoku Shinpō

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Provisory Government settles in Sendai

 

After Konoe Nobuhisa and his Provisory Constitutional Assembly yesterday declared the Dai-Tōhoku Renpō as an autonomous state, a first transitional government settled down today in Sendai, Miyagi. While Konoe stated that the transitional government would handle the most basic matters for the next three weeks, this will merely be a temporary solution until elections which should be held within two weeks.

 

While many in the PCA consider it quick, a democratically legitimate legislative was deemed important and it will be up to the new Diet to adress matters of budget, social spending, the defense budget and other matters that will be vital to the functioning of the state. The fast timetable leading up the elections will make sure that as much responsibility as possible is transferred to the new government.

 

While however the elections are to be held this month still, far more time will be necessary for the construction of the seat of the legislation. With Tokyo staying with Tianxia, Sendai will have to provide new facilities for Dai-Tōhoku. Until the construction is finished, the legislative will assemble in a lecture hall temporarily provided by Tōhoku University.

[Triyun]

To the Imperial Subjects of the newly free commonwealth realm of Dai-Tōhoku Renpō, I, Yuan Jia, Emperor of the Tianxia Empire and its Commonwealth realms, hereby issue a proclamation to confirm your sovereignty and the terms of it.  I hereby issue the following articles for you advise and hopeful approval:

 

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Articles of Commonwealth.

 

[b]I.[/b]  The Imperial Family

 

The Emperor remains head of state and the imperial family first in the diplomatic order of precedence for all member states of the Commonwealth.  The Emperor retains his role as commander in chief of the armed forces of the Empire, and shall with the consultation of the democratically elected commonwealth countries appoint General Staffs and rely on the advise of his prime ministers in defending the realm.

 

[b]II.[/b]  Governor Generals

 

Commonwealth states shall appoint governors general to rule as regents in the Emperor's stead, and shall have second order of precedence within the country they rule behind the Imperial Family.   They shall have the power to raise and command armies on the order of the Emperor.  Further they shall be appointed to the Imperial Council of the Commonwealth, as Imperial Councillors.  The Governor Generals are too come from the country which they rule except in extraordinary circumstances.

 

[b]III.[/b]  Imperial Council

 

The Imperial Council shall serve as a super national high chamber, which advises the Imperial Family on matters of state, and provides oversight for the Commonwealth.  The Emperor heads the high chamber, and may appoint anyone whom he sees fit to it, though this traditionally includes former and current ministers, governors general, distinguished heroes of the armed services, as councillors.

 

[b]IV.[/b]  The Common Defense

 

The Commonwealth realms shall be ready to serve in the common defense of the Empire and its interests.  Nuclear weapons developed and deployed by the commonwealth realms shall be authorized by the Emperor, and commanded by him.  Conventional military forces will maintain interoperability and close coordination.  Soldiers of the commonwealth realms will be held to the same laws of armed conflict, rules of engagement, and best practices, including focuses on minimizing civilian casualties, prohibitions on being used as a police force or against entities within a state except in times of armed insurrection, and shall remain committed to the ideals of a Constitutional Imperium and the Revolution.  The nations of the commonwealth realms shall advise with the Emperor and the Commonwealth council on making treaties, and while they are free to make treaties as they please in the general sense, they shall not do so in a manner that could damage the common defense.

 

[b]V.[/b]  Acquisitions of Territory

 

Commonwealth realms shall not unilaterally expand their territory without the blessing of the Empire.  However, the realms are promised the rights to expand within reason as per necessary to the national and imperial defense and so long as it remains within the ideals of the Empire.  

 

[b]VI.[/b]  Protection of Common Ideals

 

Commonwealth realms remain constitutional imperiums and shall include protections for peaceful freedom of speech, assembly, religion, and freedom from harassment based on ethnic groups, sexual orientation, or religion.  Commonwealth realms shall also provide basic food, shelter, secular education, and healthcare to its citizens within reason and pursuant to levels of development within the realm to finance those means.

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Should there be no objection, I ask that you send to me names of whom to appoint a Governors General, and dispatch a potential prime minister for approval to form a government at the earliest possible time.

 

Signed,

 

Yuan Jia I, Emperor

 

[Evangeline Anovilis]

To His Imperial Highness, Yuan Jia I

 

Altough we did not find any issue with your terms, the matter of governor general and prime minister we would like to decide once the current elections are over and a democratically elected Diet can decide on this with more authority. We would hope this to be acceptable.

 

For the transitional government,

Konoe Nobuhisa

[Triyun]

From:  The Office of the Emperor

 

This would be acceptable.  We urge the holding of elections as soon as possible where the validity and the integrity of the electoral process can be assured.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Grand Coalition formed - Prime Minister Omura presents his cabinet

 

After a week of negotiating with both the conservatives and the liberals, it seems Prime Minister Omura Junichi has finally struck a deal with the Conservative Party under former Senday mayor Date Seiranko. The two parties today announced their cooperation for the next four years and also have agreed on the ministers for the various ministeries, which partly proved quite surprising. While for example it seemed clear that Deputy Prime Minister would be Date, the Democratic party left the Conservatives also with posts such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Defense.

 

While some parts of the Democratic Party accuse Omura of having given away the party's lead, Omura himself stated that for the first democratically elected government it would be quite important to build on broad consensus and that the Conservatives seemed reasonable partners to tackle the first few years with. In the new cabinet, Democratic Party ministers will most of all head ministries related to the internal affairs and social wellfare, such as the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Telecommunications, the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, the Ministry of Health, Labour and Wellfare, but also the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry, while the Conservatives have secured many key ministries dealing with external matters, such as the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Defense, but also the important Ministry of Justice.

 

While the course of the new government is still unclear, Governor General Konoe has stated his endorsement for a stable agenda and that he wishes for cooperation among the parties in the interest of the nation.

 

Prime Minister: Omura Junichi (DP)

Deputy Prime Minister: Date Seiranko (CP)

Minister of Internal Affairs and Telecommunications: Takamori Kogoro (DP)

Minister of Justice: Matsushiro Ken (CP)

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Nakamichi Minoru (CP)

Minister of Finance: Mori Ryōsuke (DP)

Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: Takanabe Wataru (DP)

Minister of Health, Labour and Wellfare: Maeda Michiru (DP)

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Soga Keijiro (CP)

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry: Sato Mizuho (DP)

Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Katsura Asami (CP)

Minister of the Environment: Fudo Hidetaka (DP)

Minister of Defense: Date Seiranko (CP)

Edited October 12, 2013 by Evangeline Anovilis

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Nakamichi is looking for friends

 

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Nakamichi Minori today said that he was planning to look abroad for new trade partners and to cultivate ties around the Pacific region and the world. Given the young age of Dai-Tōhoku as a state of its own, the country has only one single cordial tie with the rest of the Commonwealth. Nakamich today stated in an interview given to the Kahoku Shinpō, "While Tianxia alone provides a stable source of ressources and a market for our manufactured wares, we should not neglect expanding our diplomatic horizon. Not only is the Tianxian market competing with our own over ressources and customers in the Commonwealth, requiring our country to look for a diversification of imports and exports, but also should our nation not rely entirely on Beijing to conduct the entirety of our diplomacy." In regards to the last sentence, Nakamichi added later "If we are sons of the Empire, we should try support them, not being immature children that can't handle anything on our own."

 

The minister announced that he would look out for partners, especially for trade in the region, but that he would not be opposed to establishing dialogue with countries further away. In Nakamichi's opinion, Dai-Tōhoku may have already one afiliation, but it should not prevent the establishment of a Japanese nation as a diplomatic actor on a global stage.

 

Date and the Naval Bill

 

While it seems that the creation of Army and Air Force went without furore, as the Diet approved Minister Date Seiranko's outlined build-up plans in these areas, of around 120,000 soldiers and around 250 aircraft, the naval build-up plan was vetoed by the Liberals and even a majority of the coalition partner, the Democratic Party. Opposition Leader Yannasagi Makoto called the bill the "ruin of our young state" and the Minister "delusional".

 

The bill presented by date lined out the procurement of 8 destroyers, 8 light destroyers, 8 destroyer escorts, as well as 4 battleships, 4 battlecruisers and 4 fleet carriers, the latter three deemed necessary to provide the necessary support in operations of the Commonwealth that would not be conducted under the cover of the home land. The cost estimate of 12 trillion Yen however was enough for the Diet to outright blockade the bill. "We cannot spend almost two years of our gross domestic product on our navy alone. This is madness.", Yannasagi stated as immediate response. Even a more moderate plan for only 2 carriers, 2 battleships and 2 battlecruisers was denied for budgetary reasons.

 

After nine hours of debate, the naval bill was finally approved, albeit cut down to a mere fraction of its original size. The new naval bill drafted by the Diet as a compromise between Date and the liberals sees the procurement of 6 destroyers, 6 light destroyers, 6 destroyer escorts and two helicopter carriers for aviation needs, bringing a halt to any planned capital ship construction. While the opposition sees this as a fleet that can fulfill the naval needs in the peaceful Pacific region, while still being expensive enough, Minister Date called the new fleet proposal a joke and inadequate for the needs of the nation. "We don't save anything. All we do is to pay the bill not with tax money, but with the blood of young Japanese, who are sent into battle without proper fire or air support."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Manga raises eye-brows over portrayal of Canadian military - Government does not help the cause

 

The story of "Lisel of the Lily Corps" (Yuri-dan no Riseru), the newest work by mangaka Uehara Tsuyoshi has caused a public debate over the content of manga. The manga tells the story of Louis, an unemployed androgynous Quebecois, who while drunk decided to enlist for the Royal Faraway Army. In order to not be shipped off to Greenland, he finds himself faking papers and hiding his male identity and takes on the alias of Lisel Marnier, soldieress in the service of her Majesty. Inbetween the daily hardships of the army and anecdotes about how bad life in Faraway could be, YuRise (the shortened fan nickname) offers a tale of friendship between "girls" and modest fanservice.

 

Various magazines refer to it as a "funny read" and "rather refreshing for those who are into the genre". However, while manga enthusiasts enjoy the works, critics claim that the portrayal of the Faraway military as an inefficient force and the idea that any man could have deceived the recruiters and army physicians as easily as in the manga is mocking the last great Canadian nation unduely and that it may spoil relations with Canada.

 

Deputy Prime Minister Date however claimed, that the work was harmless, that freedom of expression also allows for such works and that seemingly, given reports from Faraway successor states, there were quite a large group of men serving in what most likely was one of the largest all-female armies of the world. "When I lately read Canadian newspapers, I get the feeling that this manga portrays reality more than most other works on Faraway."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

More funding for the North

 

Despite owning almost half the Japanese land area, Dai-Tōhoku only has about one fourth of the population and about one sixth (16%) of the economic strength of the entirety of Japan. These findings by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry were now published in this years first economic report. While most find it unsurprising, many line out a clear need to improve the economy of Dai-Tōhoku and especially of the northern parts.

 

The government has in response created the Regional Development Agency (興地庁 Kōchi-chō) to provide funding for education, innovation and increase in productivity in the country's economy, especially in Dai-Tōhoku's most prominent primary sector. The Agency will be organised around three branches, the Bureau of Agricultural Development, the Bureau of Industrial Development and the Bureau of Special Economic Development. While some members of the Diet, especially the liberals, warn that investing into agriculture may just devolve into causing it to become uncompetitive due to protectionism, Minister Soga (Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries) has stated that the program tries its best to strengthen the economy and not to weaken it. While certain assistance will be given to local farmers and fisheries, this will only be applicable for those seeking to invest into technology or education. Also, the Agency will be assisting the regional agricultural centers of learning. "Agriculture is not merely a thing of the past. As long as men needs food, agriculture will be an important part of the economy and a stable one. The challenge is to keep improving and to stay competitive through sustainable and lasting growth.", Minister Soga stated.

 

As part of the agenda of the Bureau of Special Economic Development, there will however also be investment into infrastructure and public services, to improve living standards and to give more incentive for people to stay in the countryside, if not for people from Tōhoku to move to the less populated parts of the Federation in Hokkaido and Karafuto.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

A second naval bill?

 

Minister Date yesterday has presented the Diet with a new naval bill, in an attempt to get authorisation for the construction of four new destroyers and at least two battlecruisers. Date especially sees this as necessary due to, what she calls "potential adversaries" at the very fringes of the Indian and Pacific oceans.

 

In a first report, the minister has brought before the diet the newest publications from South America on Bolivia and its potential threat to the nation. With a regime that seems highly unstable, as well as a newly acquired nuclear arsenal, as well as a recent expansionist push in defiance of the regional order, Date locates here a dangerous mixture that could lead to misuse of nuclear weaponry, if not uncontrolled proliferation behind the scenes, should Bolivia enter a new crisis and collapse. While the SAO (South American Organisation) has pulled the break on the military incursion into Peru, Date does note that the nuclear arsenal keeps posing a problem.

 

On the other side, the Gulf region has for some time now not shown any action, after the invasion of the Caucasus. The minister is however very suspicious and does not rule out the possibility of this being the preparatory phase just before their next action. Support for this view has been given by her party colleague Nakamichi, the minister of foreign affairs, who notes that since the time the Pure Lands are in existence, the region has become more oppressive by the day, to the point where Nakamichi calls the current state of affairs "even more fascist and inhumane than the Islamic Republic" that once existed for a very short time before. Even up to this day, there has not been a real investigation into the murder on Imperial Prime Minister Hatoyama, in the eyes of the two ministers a worrying sign and an insult to the Japanese people.

 

Despite the lengthy debate, the naval bill was however dismissed, also as the opposition pointed out potential cost overruns, should a new design be pursued, which the plans indicate.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Date triomphant - The Second Naval Bill

 

After five hours of intense debate, Minister Date left the Diet yesterday smiling and clearly satisfied by the outcome. And she has all reason to be. As the forces prepare due to the potential escalation of conflict in Bolivia, the Diet has approved for this year the funding of another eight ships, which will include two destroyers, two carriers, including aircraft, two battlecruisers and two auxiliary replenishment vessels. Many say the Diet wants to overcome the fact that it was put to shame when the current fleet was nowhere near the expectations of the Empire and too small to assist effectively in conflict scenarios.

 

With the new Naval Bill and its cost tag of 4.51 trillion yen, Date most likely has been given the most funding anyone could have pressed out of the Diet, as the public debt incurred by this measure would raise overall debt from 80% of the GDP to a stellar amount of 176% of the GDP for the coming year. Given this would be the second year after the formation of the Federation, many warn of the consequences further debt could have, especially for the legitimacy of home rule. Noted economist Takatsuki Wataru stated that the Diet has given too much priority to proving itself as a military support and gave too little concern in showing prudency in the administration of Dai-Tōhoku. And also members of the coalition itself stated that they would vote against any further enlargement in the federal budget.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

One year of Independence - Rebranding the country?

 

It has been a year since the Federation came into existence, yet, somehow politics are still unsure about what Dai-Tōhoku really is. And especially with the recent surge in international representation, many feel it necessary to find a definition of the state that covers half of Japan.

 

Tōhokudai's political science faculty, Prime Minister Omura's former workplace before he entered his current political career, has already for some time now observed the actions of Dai-Tōhoku in the world and pondered over the self-image of what many see as not-even-half-a-nation. In a paper authored by Inuyama Toru, titled "How much Japan?", the national politics were provided with four key questions that Inuyama sees as essential to how the nation will conduct its future business. These questions, "How much Japan do we have?", "How much Japan do we claim?", "How much Japan do we want?" and "How much Japan do we inherit?" may now be answered, as the Omura cabinet produced a bill that was approved by the Diet, regulating the status of Dai-Tōhoku in regards to Japan.

 

Analysing the government's new statement, the question of "How much of Japan do we have?" may be the easiest to answer. Geographically about half, population-wise about a fourth, economically about a sixth of the entirety. According to many, surely not enough to make any claim to the rest of Japan. Though, here the ambivalence begins, when the document lays no claim to administration or representation of the Japanese people, however states that Dai-Tōhoku claims a responsibility to protect Japanese people inside and outside the state borders. Similarly, the nation claims no representation of the entity of Japan, yet, in what most see as an attempt to keep Japan united at least on paper, is subject to the Japanese Emperor (who is in personal union the Emperor of Tianxia). Inquiries by the Kahoku Shinpō about the policy that would be followed in regards to Tianxian Japan (or also called Imperial Japan) are answered to with caution and great care is taken about the words said.

 

Many state now that the Dai-Tōhoku Renpō does want Japan, yet does not lay claim to it. Professor Takagi Eiji, also from Tōhokudai sees the reluctance to make claims (including the claim to continuity with "Japan") as a result of concerns that any claim would threaten the cordial relations to the continent. "The Empire as a whole is essential for the security, economy and also the self-perception of the Japanese. Anything that could cast doubts on the integrity of Dai-Tōhoku as a loyal ally would be intolerable in foreign affairs and domestically and while Dai-Tōhoku Japanese do desire a return of Japan as a responsible and respected member of the international community, these wishes take a backseat when it comes to preserving Pan-Asian harmony."

 

Reflecting the status as a not-even-half-a-nation is also the new official name of the state: The Japanese Nation of Dai-Tōhoku, still popularly shortened to Dai-Tōhoku, expressing a certain awareness that one is Japanese, yet not Japan. Both Inuyama and Takagi see in the so-called "National Question" a matter that most likely will not be settled anytime soon and which will stay ambivalent for as long as the Federation exists in its current form.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Secession in the Conservative Party - Omura Cabinet survives though

 

"It was to be expected", Conservative Party leader Date Seiranko is quoted. Today five high-ranking functionaries of the Hoshutō, among them also Minister Matsushiro Ken, have handed in their resignations and proclaimed the Progressive Party/Shimpotō. Within the Diet, this has led to an almost even split in the mandates of the conservatives, but also parts of the Minshutō defected to the progressives. As it stands, the new party is the fourth strongest, with 69 of the 450 mandates in the Diet. The Omura cabinet, which still holds over half of all seats is thus not endangered.

 

The Shimpotō has cited as main reasons for the split the lack of movement within the government and the lack of development within Dai-Tōhoku. "While we proclaimed independence, what did we do otherwise? Our country is deteriorating and we lack a real policy to deal with the problems that our country faces.", Matsushiro is quoted.

 

Date meanwhile took responsibility and announced her resignation as well, in order to allow the Hoshutō to adopt new policies. Further personal changes are to be expected.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Omura resigns - Reelections announced

 

Today, Prime Minister Omura Junichi handed in his resignation. While sudden, it came not totally unexpected and indeed, Liberal Party leader Yannasagi calls it "the only correct decision the government made in the last few months". With his resignation, also the uneasy coalition of Democratic Party and Conservatives ends, paving the way to reelections.

 

As reasons for stepping back, Omura cited most of all a recent diplomatic blunder over Selenarctos having been forgotten to be invited to a Conference. Also he named his advanced age and his desire to spend the remaining years of his life with his family and research, while being increasingly unable to conduct long journeys or to work for days with little sleep. While he did point at major rifts within the coalition though, he avoided one subject that ended the cabinet mere hours after the resignation: the future plans for Bolivia.

 

Party President of the Democratic Party, Chiba Goemon stated that the Democratic Party had opposed the outright annexation of Bolivia, but Omura compromised on the issue in order to keep the cabinet afloat. Chiba however states he has no intention to continue appeasing Conservative radicals and nationalists and that the lack of consensus would be better solved by reelections than by just trying to find a compromise. "Issues changed, so we have to adjust the Diet to the new reality. There are new issues today that move people, issues that were not around in the last election."

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Nakamichi announces his new cabinet

 

Today, after pledging to serve the People and the Emperor, Nakamichi and his cabinet officially entered their offices. While the Conservatives used their absolute majority to form a government on their own, Minister Matshushiro returned as Minister of Justice. Nakamichi called the appointment not a sign of a coalition, but rather a concession to Matsushiro's abilities. Still, it can be expected that the tolerance shown to someone who split the party just months before has its price.

 

However, when Nakamichi states the abilities of minister Matsushiro, it is less that he concedes to his opponents skill, than to his own party's lack thereof. While voters flocked to the conservative cause, politicians did not and the split of the party took away many of the party's most able people. Law is just one of the weak points of the party now, despite a certain tendency towards law and order policies. Political specialists thus claim that Nakamichi retaining Matsushiro is more surprising in the way that Nakamichi admits the lack of competent personal, than that he gives the post to someone who not only has experience with the ministry, but also is ideologically much closer to the conservatives than any other party.

 

Prime Minister: Nakamichi Minoru (CP)

Deputy Prime Minister: Date Seiranko (CP)

Minister of Internal Affairs and Telecommunications: Higashiyama Subaru (CP)

Minister of Justice: Matsushiro Ken (PP)

Minister of Foreign Affairs: Nakamichi Minoru (CP)

Minister of Finance: Kato Akira (CP)

Minister of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology: Izumi Karin (CP)

Minister of Health, Labour and Wellfare: Tada Hiro (CP)

Minister of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries: Soga Keijiro (CP)

Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry: amahara Yukino (CP)

Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism: Katsura Asami (CP)

Minister of the Environment: Ashina Ryosuke (CP)

Minister of Defense: Fukishi Daisuke (CP)

 

High Commissioner of Minami-Kechua: Kuroda Kojirō (Independent-Army)

[Evangeline Anovilis]

High Commissioner lays out plan for the future of Minami-Kechua

 

A question that was posed by many citizens of Dai-Tōhoku and in the international community, what is the future of the former Bolivian territory? Do their exist any plans? Up to today, this could not be reliably answered, however, the High Commissioner Kuroda has today published the so-called "Outline on the Development of the Kechua Territory", which states briefly on seven pages the government's plans for what once was Bolivia.

 

According to the High Commissioner, the territory will be administered for the forseeable future by the so-called Kechua Agency, assisted by local representative structures. The report estimates that the reconstruction of the territory will need around ten years, in which the Agency will operate. After the passing of these ten years however, no clear plans were stated, apart from briefing with local leaders and the Imperial court on how to proceed. Prime Minister Nakamichi, when asked about the document, stated that it was made clear that "Dai-Tōhoku is not a colonial empire and has no aspirations to become one, but reconstruction work was a must and the Agency will stay for as long as needed. Afterwards, we'll see."

 

In detail, the Agency foresaw the reconstruction happening in three phases, which were called Restructuring Phase, Construction Phase and Refinement Phrase.

 

The Restructuring Phase, which is planned to last the first two years, will see the transition of the economy from its former militant and inefficient structures under the United Bolivia regime to a more modern and competitive economy aimed at being able to participate and compete on the Pacific market.

 

This will be followed by a five-year Construction Phase, in which the new economy is to be expanded and the majority of the structural damage is scheduled to be repaired then.

 

Finally, the final phase, the Refinement Phase solely is to make sure that the Bolivian economy functions well and will only take minor interventions where necessary.

 

Throughout all these phases, the Agency stated that it will promote direct investment and land development to ease the strain on the country's finances and to establish structures that can last even beyond the time that the territory is integrated into the Federation. UN representative Katsura has expressed her joy that the political elite has not yet forgotten the promise they made to make Bolivia a prime example of reconstruction work and that the way to the future is nearer to home than South America.

 

Date campaigns for second battleship

 

Notorious fleet enthusiast, Inspector of the Fleet, mayor of Sendai and former leader of the Hoshutō, Date Seiranko has once again called for an increase in the budget of the fleet. Especially Date called for the funding of an additional capital surface combatant, commonly known as a battleship. According to her, the current fleet, even with the planned additions will not be enough to ensure the continued security of the Japanese islands, not to mention the Kechua territory, should any hostile nation get access to the Pacific ocean.

 

Prime Minister Nakamichi and Minister Kato refused however to increase the defense budget even further for the fleet, stating that not only would it be irresponsible to strain the state's finances even further, but also, the Pacific was an Imperial Sea and the PLAN would surely make sure that any attempts to threaten this status would be dealed with accordingly. With a sovereign debt of 194%, any additional ship may push the debt beyond the 200% mark. Kato warned that this may high debt is slowing down economic growth and hampers efforts to develop the country's north and the Kechua territory.

 

Still, Date issued a counter-warning, that even if a ship was laid down now, it would not see action until it was finished in two to three years. "This is about long-term security. We can assume the Pacific safe for the moment, but who says it will still be safe then? Or in the year thereafter? If we lay down ships once the enemy is already steaming towards us at full speed, they will be finished during the occupation."

 

The dispute went on for about two hours, in which Date compared the federal fleet with other navies of the world, to underscore the limited value of the limited navy, but was ended when minister Kato stated he'd rather go with the risk of an enemy knocking in three years than the assurance of sovereign default within this fiscal year.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Date's Fleet Fund finances another battleship

 

After an increase of the military budget had been declined by the Diet on the grounds of austerity, Date Seiranko, Inspector of the Fleet and well-known for her calls to strengthen the Kaigun, has resorted to rather unusual means of getting her way. Using her personal contacts and partly also her own wealth, Date had launched a campaign to raise funds to finance a second battleship for the fleet. Calling on national pride and the sense of duty towards the Empire, she has gathered an astonishing 388 billion Yen.

 

Over the past months, throuhout the country, people were called on to donate at least a few Yen to help strengthen the fleet, pride of the nation, and to contribute to the security of the Empire. Through diverse means, ranging from the usage of personal contacts to convince industrials to donate, to door-to-door selling of so-called Kantai Cookies (shortened to Kancookie), it came as a surprise how much money the fund-raising accumulated. Date herself, who donated several hundred million Yen, stated that she was "proud to be a Nihonjin" and moved by the willingness of the citizens to contribute to a strong fleet.

 

When Date presented the offer of a second battleship financed by the Fleet Fund to Diet, it has sparked a five-hour-debate, before the ship was approved.

[Evangeline Anovilis]

Man arrested after posting questionable content on message board

 

Today, the Public Safety Intelligence Agency has arrested Katsuyoshi M. in the town of Niigata for his radical statements made on a message board. At 6am in the morning, the 26 year old single was surprised by a special raiding unit as he went to bed. Relatives call it a violation of freedom of speech, the director of the PSIA states that comments made by the young student have been overtly radical in the past and the arrest was necessary to "destroy the seed before it takes roots".

 

When raiding the young man, dozens of manga and anime was found, such as Lucky Star, Toradora, K-On and Mahou Shoujo Madoka Magica. Also, a small collection of figurines has been discovered in his room, neatly arranged. The mayor of the Niigata, Maeda Uehara has expressed serious concerns on whether the strange lifestyle of the young man might have driven him to become an ultranationalist. "He is too young to actually be one of the old school. I bet it was the solidary life and these anime that caused him to become estranged from reality and lean this way. I'm very ashamed."

 

Meanwhile, Professor Takagi Eiji, working for the renowned Tōhokudai, has warned that the arrest may hide the actual issues. He states, that the young man was not arrested for real radicalism, but due to a lack of connections. "This young fellow isn't the sole case, but one out of many. Most radical nationalists don't take action and I doubt this one would have done. What caused this arrest seems to be not so much the worries that nationalism is a problem, but that the perception of nationalism is one. And for this, the PSIA needed a scapegoat."

 

The Public Safety Intelligence Agency has stated that this theory is baseless and the young man will face charges in a fair trial.