Under the Rising Sun, a Japan Interactive AAR

[EmperorBasilius]

The Establishment of the National-Liberal-Kamikaze Electoral Alliance
国民自由神風選挙提携の設立
Kokumin jiyū kamikaze senkyo teikei no setsuritsu

After the treacherous attacks of the vile Matsui and his Korean allies on the Empire, and seeing the cooperation of various opposition parties in regards to the recent election, Prime Minister Ōshiro Kazuki met with Nishimura Hiroshi in his mansion in Fukuoka where they discussed, negotiated, and formed the outline for this new political entity - the electoral alliance. The NLP and the KP will run as a joint ticket but each party will still keep its own seats in the Diet. "We decided to leave our disagreements and run together for the benefit of Japan and the Emperor", said Nishimura Hiroshi. "If elected, we will continue the trend of rapid industrialism that had brought immense wealth to our nation". By participating as a united alliance, the NLK alliance is expected to receive more support in the polls.​

 

[Firehound15]

I must announce my intent to withdraw from the race in regard to an Opposition ticket, as the Kinnokai Party has failed to express any desire or will to properly and fully band together with other political factions against the NLP, and has instead been more focused on achieving its own ends and desires with no respect for any other members of the Japanese Opposition. I encourage all those who had previously intended to join the Opposition to instead focus their efforts on alternative parties and candidates. Thus, it is with a heavy heart that I must say that their stubbornness and pride may have very well killed the concept of a true National Opposition to the National Liberal Party.


Satake Yoshizane

 

[Andre Massena]

I must announce my intent to withdraw from the race in regard to an Opposition ticket, as the Kinnokai Party has failed to express any desire or will to properly and fully band together with other political factions against the NLP, and has instead been more focused on achieving its own ends and desires with no respect for any other members of the Japanese Opposition. I encourage all those who had previously intended to join the Opposition to instead focus their efforts on alternative parties and candidates. Thus, it is with a heavy heart that I must say that their stubbornness and pride may have very well killed the concept of a true National Opposition to the National Liberal Party.


Satake Yoshizane

Lies.

-Tanaka

 

[Dadarian]

Uesugi Narinori 4
1868

While the reeds bend,
Before a harsh Western wind,
Calm is the best cure.

To bundle as one,
We lose our own distinctness,
And become but chaff.​

 

[zenphoenix]

I hereby announce that the Loyalist Association will withdraw from the United Opposition due to disagreements on policy with certain other opposition members. The actions of Lord Satake have made it difficult if not impossible to move forward as one group. Therefore I regretfully announce that we must all go our separate ways.

~Prince Sakamoto

 

[Qwerty7]

I must clarify several of my positions since the liberals see it fit to slander the good conservative name.

It is insulting and slanderous to suggest that the opposition is reactionary and against reform. The liberals grunt and yell about the conservatives being mossbacks against reform and how they are somehow a shining beacon of modernization. I have yet to see such evidence manifest. I would like the liberals who so easily run their mouths point to their piece of reform legislation this past session for the only reforms I have seen have come from two men whom they call "Reactionaries" - Lord Satake and I. How could it be that the reactionaries are the only ones reforming while the liberals sit by and whine about supposed "reactionary drivel?" Perhaps if the Foreign Secretary and the rest of the government got off their seats they may decide to present a reform for at this present stage one wonders how the NLP can be pro-reform without proposing a single reform.

I also must say that I find it sad that the opposition cannot unite itself in order to present a proper and strong conservative alternative. We have let the Liberals control the narrative and they paint as reactionaries who want to do nothing, but in reality it is the Liberals who are Do-Nothingers.

Also can someone get security to the Privy Council, Amaterasu only knows how the government is able to invade the Privy Council whenever it pleases.

- Lord Mori Takachika

 

[Le Corbusier]

(Private: Riccardo)

Marshal Date sir,

I request that Major Tanaka be breveted to the rank of Major General and given a brigade command, to be transferred to the Imperial Navy as an experimental naval infantry unit, the Imperial Marine Corps.

I also request that Naval Lieutenant Takeda Hitomi be breveted to the rank of Rear Admiral and assigned to the Transport Fleet.

I know that brevet ranks are usually rewards for battlefield courage during times of war, but in the case of our young Imperial military I feel that the Navy of which I am a part would benefit from younger officers being given provisional leadership of more major commands and the opportunity to prove themselves through service. Were war with a Western power to break out against all our best wishes, talented young officers could be wasted in lesser subordinate commands while our command-control infrastructure is still too underdeveloped to manage every element of our military. For the time being, it would seem to me that the armed forces must be capable of some degree of independent action in order for our nation to wage war successfully until our logistical network is improved enough to allow high command to more effectively coordinate all aspects of the forces in wartime.

- Admiral Unryu Raizo

 

[MastahCheef117]

OOC: I would personally prefer if I established a little more background for my character before being sent to positions. Is that acceptable? Thanks for the recommendation though <3

 

[Qwerty7]

I have amended the Japanese Identification Act so as to provide clauses pertaining to foreign persons on business and political duties.

Japanese Identification Act​

The purpose of this act is to strengthen Japanese identity and culture.

1. All persons not born in Japan and whose ancestry is not sufficiently Japanese shall be monitored by the Imperial government in order to prevent unruly and unlawful behavior.
a. In order to be qualified as "sufficiently Japanese" a person must be born in Japan, have parents who were born in Japan, and have parents who are "sufficiently Japanese."
b. Sufficiently Japanese persons must also be able to speak Japanese
c. Persons of Ainu descent shall be separated legally from those who are sufficiently Japanese, but shall not be subject to the same rules as non-Japanese.

2. Persons who do not qualify as "sufficiently Japanese" must carry a "Certificate of Allowance."
a. A certificate of allowance must state: a) The name of the owner. b) Their birthdate, nationality, and place of birth. c) The names and places of birth of their parents and grandparents. d) A brief physical description of the person which must include eye color, hair color, height, weight, and size of head. e) A stamp of approval from both the Department of Identification and Minister of the Interior.
b. If a person who is neither sufficiently Japanese nor Ainu is not possessing their certificate of allowance then they will be subject to punishment which is described in Section 3.

3. The punishment for not possessing a certificate of allowance shall be administered by a newly created "Department of Identification."
a. The Department of Identification shall be headed by the Minster of the Interior. A Secretary of Identification shall serve as the deputy of the department and may be appointed and removed by the Minister of the Interior at any time.
b. The Secretary of Identification shall be responsible for appointing all civil servants in the Department of Identification. The Secretary of Identification shall stamp all certificates of allowance they deem fit and then once a certificate is stamped then it must be given to the Minister of Interior who will either stamp it with approval or deny it.
c. All employees in the Department of Identification including the Secretary of Identification must be sufficiently Japanese.
d. The Department of Identification will have an office in each region of Japan as defined by law. Persons who are not sufficiently Japanese nor Ainu must visit the office in their region and apply for a certificate.
e. The Department of Identification shall operate using money provided to them from the Imperial government. New applicants shall give their name, place of birth, nationality, place of birth and nationality of parents and grandparents, and a brief physical description which must include eye color, hair color, height, weight, and size of head. If the Department of Identification finds that the applicant does indeed qualify as neither sufficiently Japanese nor Ainu then the Application wing of the Department shall stamp the application. The Application wing of the Department of Identification is responsible for identifying if applicants are neither sufficiently Japanese nor Ainu.
f. Stamped applications must then be turned into the Language wing of the Department. The Language wing shall then put the applicant through two tests of their ability and knowledge of the Japanese language. The first test shall be a verbal test where applicants must be able to hold a conversation in Japanese. If they pass the first verbal test then they shall take another verbal test where they must be able to show they can hold a conversation in Japanese. If an applicant passes the test than the Language wing shall stamp their application.
g. Applications stamped by both the Language wings and Application Wings of the Department of Identification shall then be turned into the Culture wing of the Department of Identification. The Culture wing shall first put the applicants through a verbal language test again. If they pass they then the Culture wing shall produce several traditional Japanese songs. The applicants must identify the names of all songs in order to pass. Once the song test is passed then the applicants must recite at least three traditional Japanese stories to the Culture wing. If three traditional Japanese stories, as defined by the Culture wing of the Department of Identification are recited correctly then the applicant must take an oral test where 20 questions are asked about basic Japanese history. If at least 19 of the 20 questions administered verbally by the Culture wing are answered correctly by the applicants then the Culture wing shall stamp the application with approval.
h. Stamped applications will be sent the Headquarters of the Secretary of Identification which are located in Kyoto. The Secretary of Identification may ask applicants to come in for personal interviews. If the Secretary of Identification stamps the application with approval then the Minster of the Interior may also ask applicants to come in for a personal interview.

4. Persons who are neither sufficiently Japanese nor Ainu and are not in possession of a certificate of allowance may be deported by the Department of Identification.
a. If a person who is neither sufficiently Japanese nor Ainu commit a crime, regardless of whether or not they are in possession of a certificate of allowance, will be deported to any country which is not Japan immediately by any means necessary.
b. The Department of Identification may instead execute people who have committed a crime and is neither sufficiently Japanese nor Ainu if the Department deems it serious enough.

5. Persons who qualify as Ainu must go to their regional office of the Department of Identification and request a "Certificate of Ainu Ancestry."
a. In order to qualify as Ainu a person must have at least one Ainu parent. The other parent must have at least one Ainu parent as well.
b. Ainu found not possessing a certificate of Ainu ancestry may be subject to several months in prison.
c. A certificate of Ainu ancestry must include a) name of owner. b) name of Ainu parent. c) a brief physical description which must include eye color, hair color, weight, and height. d) A stamp of approval from the Department of Identification.

6. Persons who neither qualify as sufficiently Japanese nor Ainu may be exempt from a certificate of allowance if they are here on business or political duties.
a. Foreign Merchants and Traders may be exempt from a certificate of allowance so long as they are here for business purposes. They are not entitled to the same rights as those with certificates of allowance, but they must notify a Japanese official from the Department of Commerce, headed by the Secretary of Commerce, that they are here on business so the Department of Commerce may keep records of their length of stay and their nationality.
b. The Department of Commerce shall be established so as to manage the affairs of commerce and trade. It shall be headed by the Secretary of Commerce who is appointed by the Minister of Finance.
c. Foreign persons who are here on political missions from sovereign nations such as diplomats, ambassadors, or Heads of State and/or Government shall be allowed into Japan without having a certificate of allowance. An escort who is Sufficiently Japanese from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs shall be needed for all movement outside a specially designated diplomatic district in Miyake-jima, an island off the coast of Edo. An escort is not needed while a foreign diplomat is inside their nation's embassy in Edo so long as the embassy is recognized by the Japanese government.

((private-opposition))

I believe that Japan needs a credible opposition to the Liberals who talk a big game, but do not do anything of note. Thus I propose an electoral alliance between the three opposition parties called the "United Front." The parties of this front must stand together against the power concentrated in the hands of Liberals and to preserve Japan while recognizing a need for modernity. I propose this shadow cabinet.

Co-Leaders of the Opposition:
Prince Sakamoto ((zenphoneix)) Loyalist
Lord Uesugi ((Dadarian)) UH
Shadow Minister of Finance: Ito Katashi ((Michaelangelo)) Kamikaze
------------Shadow Secretary of Commerce: Masahiro Tanaka ((AndreMassena)) Loyalist
Shadow Foreign Secretary: Lord Unryu ((Le Corb)) Loyalist
Shadow Minister of Defense: Kusenagi Miroki (Terraferma) Loyalist
Shadow Minister of Justice: Lord Satake ((Firehound15)) Independent Conservative
Shadow Minister of the Interior: Lord Mori Takachika ((Qwerty7)) UH
-------------Shadow Secretary of Identification: Akio Chosokame (Luftwafer) Loyalist
Shadow Minister of Education: Nishimura Hiroshi ((EmperorBasileus)) Kamikaze

In arranging this cabinet I have tried my best to represent every party and faction in the opposition and placed them in positions where they are strong and best suited. The current composition sees the three party leaders and several party notables in charge. I hoped that I have resolved the conflicts between Prince Sakamoto and Lord Satake by creating the position of Co-Leader of the Opposition in order to appeal to the hard traditionalists under Marquis Uesugi and the new conservatives under Prince Sakamoto. Lord Satake is offered the position of Shadow Minister of Justice due to his extensive knowledge and experience in matters of the law.

I must stress the need for compromise between the members of the opposition in this matter. The Liberals continue to promise change yet have not done anything while in power. Why stand by and let the lazy men like the Foreign Secretary and the Prime Minister uses buzzwords such as "reform" and slander the opposition as "reactionary" when you can take the helm and promise change that will both preserve Japan's tradition and ensure proper growth in the future.

- Lord Mori Takachika

 

[LordTempest]

((If the KP are in an Alliance with the Government, then they aren't technically part of the Opposition.))

 

[zenphoenix]

The Loyalist Association will contest seats in Kanto, Kansai, and Shikoku.

~Prince Sakamoto
((Is this how I do it?))

 

[Keinwyn]

Name: 鎖部金蔵 | Kusaribe Kinzō (eng. Kinzo Kusaribe)
Specialty: Economist
DoB: 7th May 1843

Background: Born into a branch family of a minor samurai clan, Kinzō felt he had little prospect of achieving anything in life. However in 1859 he was adopted by the clan head and then watched with interest as the Boshin War unfolded followed by the reforms of Chancellor Date. A new world of possibilities opened up in the mind of the young man. Now in 1868, having inherited the headship of the family, Kinzō sets his sights on industry.
The twenty-five year old has deeply traditional social values coexisting with a risk-happy, modern approach to business. Kusaribe looks forward to a very Japanese Industrialisation; there isn't anything the west can do that Japan cannot do better in it's own way.
Kusaribe practices archery in his spare time.

Post 1868 Bio ((Spoilers)):
In the 1868 elections Kusaribe lent his support to the Divine Wind Party, approving of their economic modernism and cultural traditionalism. Conveniently they had also recently entered into coalition with the ruling National Liberal Party. Kusaribe would make full use of these political connections to acquire vast loans for the rapid expansion of his new businesses. By 1876 Kusaribe Zaibatsu held roughly £6 M ((~£2.3 Bn. by 2000's standards)) in debt.

Appointed as Minister of Commerce in Ōshiro's 1873 cabinet, Kusaribe swiftly sold off state industries, himself purchasing Edo Cement which he added to his existing cement portfolio. It would prove one of his most lucrative investments. His continued presence in government over the next few decades helped Kusaribe accurately forecast coming political and economic situations, enabling him to make bold investments. By 1879 Kusaribe Zaibatsu had thoroughly established itself as a political and economic force.

1882 was not a good year for Japan with disasters in the Philippines and setbacks in Korea. It was also, perhaps, the year in which Japan's Military-Industrial Complex truly began to take shape. Kusaribe Zaibatsu bought government debt, and invested heavily in shipping and rail which were then used for the transportation of soldiers and war materials. Family members of prominent politicians, officers and government officials became closely associated with the Zaibatsu, notably Count Date Takemaru, son of Prime Minister Prince Date Munenari. In many ways the success of Kusaribe Zaibatsu became intertwined with the modern Japanese State.

As the Great Asian War progressed during 1882-86, increasing unrest and agitation at home horrified Kusaribe. Having until then been somewhat averse to the militarisation of government, he sanguinely watched as martial law was declared and greatly applauded Prince Date's efforts to restore of order.

Positions:
Minister of Commerce: 1873-77, 1882-86, 1891-93
Minister of the Interior: 1877-82, 1887-91, 1893-
Chairman of the Divine Wind Party: 1887-90

Awards & Honours:
Order of the Sacred Treasure, 6th Class: 1877
Order of the Precious Stone, 3rd Class: 1877
Medals of Honour: Yellow Ribbon: 1877
Count: 1891

 

[EmperorBasilius]

KP will run in Kansai (in a joint list with the NLP)

 

[Nax24]

Pre-Election of 1868​

National Liberal Party
Prime Ministerial Candidate: Ōshiro Kazuki
Competing Nationally
Policies: Free Trade/Interventionism/Jingoism/Pluralism/Limited Citizenship​

"With the joining of the KP and the NLP in a single alliance, Japan's future is brighter than ever. The NLP and KP both support a stronger and more prosperous Japan that will be the envy of the rest of the world. Together, both parties shall continue industrial development, military expansion, and the defense of Japan from its enemies. Together they shall usher in a new era of strength, progress, and prosperity for all Japanese. Vote for the NLP-KP Joint Ticket and secure the best future for Japan!"​

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------​

Unity and Honor
Prime Ministerial Candidate: Uesugi Narinori
Competing Nationally
Policies: State Capitalism | Protectionism | Pacifism | Moralism | Residency​

Cultural Traditionalism, Monarchism, and Pacifism is the focus of the Unity and Honor Campaign​

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Loyalist Association
Prime Ministerial Candidate: Sakamoto Naotari
Competing in Kansai, Shikoku and Kanto
Polices: Protectionism/State Capitalism/Pluralism/Limited Citizenship/Pro-Military

""Enrich the State, Strengthen the Military"

In the past Nihonjin have talked about adapting Western technique while retaining Eastern spirit. This is an inherently flawed dichotomy. The modern technique, the scientific way, is the Eastern way. It is Nippon where new industrial techniques will be developed, new scientific theories discovered, and the weapons of tomorrow will be forged. That is why we cannot rest on our laurels and continue to be the plaything of the Americans. Sake factories are nice, but they do not serve the national purpose the way steel and concrete do. We need to produce our own materials for railroads, ships, and armaments. We need an aggressive and state-sponsored industrialization initiative to achieve great power status in the eyes of the West; the fact that we are still a pawn of the United States is proof of the failed ideology of liberal economics. The Loyalists will simultaneous free Nippon from the shackles of the West while preventing wolves in our own fold from setting against our cousin countries like Joseon. The National Liberals can only offer continued domination by the Yankees with a war against Korea to keep the people distracted. Only through greatness can we attain sovereignty and only through sovereignty can we keep the peace. Now, more than ever, the Kinnokai association of Imperial Loyalists needs you to change course from the disastrous path we have been steered onto by the Kyoto elites. Remember, a vote for the Loyalists is a vote for a proud and independent Nippon."

Spoiler: Policy Stances

Foreign Policy:
The goal of Loyalist foreign policy at this time is to avoid a diplomatic incident with the United States, while breaking out of its common market, by becoming a Great Power in the eyes of the West. A Kyokai ministry would avoid unnecessary aggression towards fellow Eastern states on the principle of Pan-Asianism.

Budget Policy:
Under a Kinnoka Kyokai administration, education and the civil service will be fully funded. The Kinnokai will be willing to reduce military spending and national stockpile spending to balance budget, recognizing that this is not incompatible with increasing the size of the military and modernizing its weapons and tactics.

Military Policy:
A Loyalist government would follow a Navy First Policy in military affairs. The current admirals will be assigned to the War and Transport Fleets. A naval troops ground force will be transfered from the Imperial Army to the Imperial Navy and placed under one of the available generals as the Imperial Japanese Marine Corps.

Trade Policy:
To encourage the smooth transition from outmoded artisan manufacturing operations to modern factories, tariffs will be set at 0% to neither subsidize nor impoverish the artisan class as they continued to meet the other consumer needs of the Nihonjin.

Economic Policy:
In order to build up a secure domestic supply chain for the construction of railroads across Nippon, a Kinnokai government would construct steel and cement factories in prefectures with ample population, coal, and iron. The government would encourage the artisans in those prefectures to become craftsmen to ensure those factories had enough workers.

Religious Policy:
The Association will focus on building up the state religion of Shinto into a fully established national church, not on attempting to convert devoted Buddhists and foreign Christians.

Citizenship Policy:
To prevent gaijin from taking over the imperial government, citizenship will be restricted to only ethnic Japanese as well as the Ainu people.

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

The Kamikaze Party
Prime Ministerial Candidate: Nishimura Hiroshi
Competing in Kansai
Policies: Free Trade/Laissez Faire/Pluralism/Residency/Jingoism​

Joint Ticketing with the National-Liberals.
​

------------------------------------------------
Player Actions Needed: Please Vote for either the National Liberals (NLP), the Unity and Honor Party (UH), The Loyalist Association (LA), or The Kamikaze Party (KAP) for seats in the Imperial Diet. Bold your votes.

Sample Ballot:

Party: NLP/UH/LA/KAP/Independent

[Specialty]
[Economist Bonus (If Applicable)]
[Bonus (If Applicable)]

Voting ends Tuesday at 9:00 PM EST or Wednesday at 1:00 AM GMT. Bold your votes. The Economist bonus only applies to liefwarrior, who gets the +3.

 

[MastahCheef117]

Lieutenant Takeda Hitomi, disinterested in politics and engrossed in his initiative to gain support within the navy for large expansive programs, does not make his journey to the ballot for the election. Instead, he stays locked in his study, studying what little books on Western naval theory he has not yet read.

(Party: ABSTAIN)

 

[Terraferma]

Party: Loyalist Association
[Military]
[No Bonus]

~ Major General Kusenagi Miroki

 

[zenphoenix]

((Nahxi can I change Shikoku to Chubu in the regions I am running in?))

 

[zenphoenix]

Party: Loyalist Association
[Politician]
[Conqueror Legacy]

~ Prince Sakamoto

 

[Nax24]

((Nahxi can I change Shikoku to Chubu in the regions I am running in?))

((Sorry, cant change once the election starts))

 

[Andre Massena]

Party: Loyalist Association

[Military]