"Thank you Minister Jun. Your Majesty , Gentlemen, good morning." Osami began. "The Imperial Japanese Navy has had a quiet month and is waiting for repairs across almost all fleets."
"Losses have been mild to put it bluntly of late. We lost one Destroyer Flotilla, 10 Kuchikukantai, and other losses were spread throughout various Allied Countries. Another five Transport Flotillas were amongst their losses. No major Allied ships were lost."
"The Imperial Japanese Navy is now almost one third Submarine Flotillas and we are directing research to try and catch up on our almost total lack of Submarine doctrine. This will take some time as will repairs to most of our vessels.
Minister Satoru eluded to one operation being planned wich will require some naval support and we are also planning a second operation totally comprising of Naval assets. The target has already been decided upon and it is just a case of getting the assets where they are needed before we launch this operation. It is possible that both secret operations will be running together and we have the forces to do so without increasing risk."
"You can accompany Minister Satoru after the meeting Minister Osami and I think Minster Tanigawa can join us as well. I trust you have a name for this operation as well?"
"Of course you Majesty." both men replied. "Operation Trust."
"I have nothing more to add." concluded Osami.
"Intelligence please." said Hideki.
"Good morning your Majesty, Gentlemen." Kuniaki began. "No new agents have been placed during May due to the shortage of funding and as a result the following reports are not totally accurate."
"Soviet industry is the same and their ground forces are on the higher side of estimates this month. We will be outnumberd by roughly five to one in infantry and twenty to one in armour if they attack us now. They completed research into Agricultural Production.
One of my Soviet agents managed to glean some information from inside the Kremlin and it involves a diplomatic meeting between the Soviets and British. Apparently the Allies want Stalin to attack us now, and judging by the reaction of the Allied diplomats after their meeting, it seems that Stalin stalled for time. The agent reports that an attack in August looks the most likely but he could not confirm anything specific."
"Would our forces be ready in all respects by August Minister Tanigawa?" Hirohito asked.
"Yes your Majesty they would." Tanigawa replied.
"Let us hope that this is true then and not just an elaborate ruse. Please continue Minster Kuniaki." stated the Emperor.
"Thank you your Majesty."
"United Kingdom industry is still fluctuating due to resource shortages. No new research projects as far as we can tell.
Very little has changed as far as their combat forces are concerned. They do apparently have a Battlecruiser now and have lost fifteen smaller ships, which we know is wrong because we didn't sink that many."
"United States production is unchanged and no research has been completed.
Their infantry strength jumped by twenty five divisions duirng the last month, again not very likely but possible. Battleship numbers also jumped to twelve from seven most likely due to previous false estimates.
One of my agents in America also managed to acquire some information of note, although possibly unreliable. I thought I would share it with you though so you can be prepared just in case it is true. My agent managed to get a Naval Attache sufficiently drunk that his tongue loosened slightly. It seems that the latest bombing campaign is a direct predecessor to possible further invasions in the Marianas. Anyone who is anyone knows about the large bombing sorties in this area though and he could have just been trying to make himself seem important."
"We completed one research project during May, Small Arms Assembly Line, and I expect no new projects to complete this coming month. Nothing more from me today." concluded Kuniaki.
"Industry please." said Hideki.
"Your Majesty, Gentlemen." began Ginjiro. "As Minister Mamoru mentioned our energy situation is turning dire once more and we will need large amounts of this resource to keep our factories running at 100% efficiency."
"Our other stockpiles are sufficient for some time, especially once the large stock of supplies in southern Burma becomes available. I will need to increase supply production to allow for large energy trades in the future.
Infantry production and aircraft production that are currently ongoing will all complete in early to mid-June which will free up a lot of our industry. I have received two requests for more of the tools of war, both of which I should be able to accomodate.
Minster Jun has asked for more Close Support Aircraft to bring his total force up to sixteen squadrons. These will be built in three parallel production runs and will in fact provide him a total of seventeen squadrons as this is the most efficient way to proceed.
Minister Osami has requested some more Destroyer Flotillas to increase the ratio of capital to escort ships across the fleets. This I can also accomodate by building nine in three parallel runs of three ships.
These requests will slow down repair and upgrades a little but are apparently essential enough to make it necessary."
"They are." stated Tanigawa.
"I have also been analysing our Transport problems."
"The largest component is supply for our forces which are mostly overseas. Our current redeployment load is also very high due to the movement of forces north from Burma. Partisans account for a significant portion as well and there is nothing that can be done for that other than to build more garrisons which we do not have the manpower to do. That is all from me for today." concluded Ginjiro.
"It appears that the Bear is finally awake and is making moves in our direction, we shall be ready when the time comes. Progress elsewhere is going according to plan and we are clearly causing the Allies some major problems. Ministers Tanigawa, Osami and Satoru come with me please, and bring along Minster Jun as well, I dare say he has some say in this too." stated Hirohito as he stood and left the meeting followed by the four Chiefs of Japan's armed forces.