Under the Rising Sun, a Japan Interactive AAR

[mrlifeless]

((I smell a conspiracy.))

((I smell a coup))

 

[Firehound15]

((I smell a conspiracy.))

((I smell a hilarious coincidence...))

 

[Luftwafer]

((I smell saltiness))

 

[zenphoenix]

((I smell other people smelling things))

 

[Qwerty7]

The Farmer-Labor Party, Formerly the Radical Progress Party, has changed leadership multiple times throughout the previous years, with this change in leadership has come a change in policy. No longer do we appear to accept the equality of all citizens of our Empire; instead we shy away from furthering the rights of the men & women of Chosen. No longer do we tell our supporters to trust in the government, that the state will always care and provide for them, that they must toil for the benefit of all; instead we insist that they must have more land, that they must rely on only themselves and, in doing so, must become uncharitable. I can no longer truly say that I support the policies of this party and as such hand in my resignation as one of its Members.

The obsessive attempts of the Opposition to defeat the Date administration has lead them astray from their original goals. When the Freedom Party was formed it had one ideal, the pursuit of Peace & Prosperity. It is deeply unfortunate that this is no longer the case, the Freedom Party was destroyed by petty squabbling for power and now bends its ideals to suit those that are popular. The Constitutional Democratic Party has made an effort to retain those original goals, for this I greatly respect them; it is most unfortunate that mine and their economic & social ideals differ otherwise I might have joined their cause. Lacking a group which I can readily support I have decided to run as an independent. Let it be known that I stand for the rights of all those who reside within or great nation; let it be known I say that we must trust the State and that the State shall always provide; let it be known that I despise war, that it is my belief that no-one should have their lives cut short so arbitrarily, no-one should have to suffer due to injury, no-one should have to be maimed. Let it be known that I run as a Representative of People, Peace & Prosperity.

Party: Independent

[Politician]
[No Bonus]

~ Hajamoto Kiyotaka; Second Marquis of Izu, Member of the Imperial Diet & Man of the People

Marquis Hajamoto, I must take issue with several of your points. I think it is completely reasonable of you to ask for peace. In that regard your knowledge is far above your peers. However, I, unsurprisingly, do not agree with your statement on the Jiyudo Party.

I should remind you Lord Hajamoto that I am perhaps the greatest supporter of peace and pacifism in all of Nippon save perhaps Lord Uesugi. I declared myself neutral in the Boshin War because I did not want to slaughter my brothers in the name of an institution, because I believe firmly in pacifism. In fact, only one other Lord also refused to shoot men down like dogs and that was Lord Uesugi.

I should also remind you that I was the biggest opponent to Date's militarism and wars. When the Loyalist Association was still roaming the earth I was yelling to the people that instead of putting money into the musket, that we should build a national railroad that all people of Japan would benefit from. A musket would only help the military, but the railroad helps all - farmer, laborer, merchant, peasant, soldier, and everything else!

I am opposed to Date because, among other reasons, I do not think it democratic for our government to be led by the military. I do not think we benefit when there is not a clear divided between the State and the military. We only suffer and risk the possibility of a military coup or of martial law, something which had already became a reality.

I would think with such a record of pacifism, and that fact that I am the leader of the Jiyudo, would make it reasonable to declare that Jiyudo believes in Peace and believes in aiding the people with internal improvements and welfare. I respect you and think of you very highly Lord Hajamoto, but I must ask this. If a man with a record of peace and prosperity such as I cannot feasibly be considered someone to lead a party of peace, then who can?

Respond with haste and wisdom, as you always do.

- Lord Mori Takachika, Leader of the Jiyudo Party

 

[Keinwyn]

Party: KAP

[Economist]
[Fundraising +3]

 

[Scrapknight]

Noting the candidacy of his benefactor's son, Nagane Hidetoshi pens a letter

To the most noble Marquis Izu,

I have heard of your choice to run as an independent in this year's election, and have read your manifesto explaining as much. I am honored by your statement that the Kensei Minshutou embodies the ideals of the old Freedom Party, which was indeed my intent when I created it. Your father was truly a great man; I can say without exaggeration that his generous donations made the Kirizai Group what it is today. I write to emplore you to consider an endorsement of the Constitutional Democrats. I confess that I felt a moment of trepidation when I founded the party, as I know your father was a great believer in the ideals of peace and prosperity, and he felt that the Jiyudo embodied those ideals. But I feel that times have changed, as the leadership of the party has compromised and succumbed to the temptations of power. I ask you to consider it, as your endorsement would mean a great deal to our cause. I hope to hear from you soon.

Most sincerely,
長根秀俊

 

[LatinKaiser]

Party: Freedom Party

[Politician]

 

[Scrapknight]

((I smell a hilarious coincidence...))

((More or less this, seeing as I picked the name in English first and then changed it a few times. It was almost Gouken Minshutou but that isn't correct.))

 

[Nax24]

((Election closed, punching in the numbers now))

 

[Nax24]

Final Results:

Chugoku: National Liberals - 10 Seats, Constitutional Democratic Party - 21 Seats
Tohuku: National Liberals - 19 Seats, Freedom Party - 20 Seats,
Shikoku: National Liberals - 19 Seats
Kansai: National Liberals - 27 Seats, Farmer-Labor Party - 19 Seats, Kamikaze Party - 29 Seats, Constitutional Democratic Party - 45 Seats
Kanto: National Liberals - 19 Seats, Freedom Party - 27 Seats, Kamikaze Party - 21 Seats, Constitutional Democratic Party - 43 Seats
Kyushu: National Liberals - 28 Seats, Freedom Party - 31 Seats.
Chubu: National Liberals - 40 Seats, Freedom Party - 44 Seats, Independents - 1 Seat
Hokkaido: Occupied, No MPs elected from this region.

Total: National Liberals - 162 Seats (35%), Kamikaze Party - 49 Seats (11%), Freedom Party - 122 Seats (26.4%), Farmer-Labor Party - 19 Seats (4%), , Constitutional Democratic Party - 109 Seats (23.6%) Independents - 1 Seat.

Opposition Coalition (FP, FLP, CDP): 54% of the Diet
NLP Coalition (NLP, KAP): 46% of the Diet

 

[zenphoenix]

((Opposition government here we come!))

 

[Andre Massena]

Down with Date!

 

[Qwerty7]

((

))

 

[Revan529]

Prince Date reclined in his chair, looking out the window at the soldiers drilling in the field - he had his men wake early and begin their work promptly at dawn. He did not tolerate indolence amongst the soldiery. His left hand was wrapped around a small ceramic cup of tea, a translucent tail of white steam rising from it; in his other hand, a letter from his grandson, whose squadron was patrolling the northern tip of Hokkaido at the moment. An aid, personal, not military stepped in and handed him a letter. He read it swiftly, his brown eyes cool and steady; he set it aside and frowned. He rose from his chair, cleared his throat, and asked the man to bring him some paper, and a pen. He walked to the desk at the far end of the room and lit a candle - of late, he had found it harder to read and write in the dark.

He addresses it to the members of the government, the Privy Council, and the Emperor

It is apparent from the results of this latest election that there has been substantial acts of fraud committed; whilst it is indeed a possibility that the opposition parties, such as they are, are at least in theory capable of acquiring victory, it is evident from all sources that this election was firmly in the hands of the ruling government. It is therefore wise, and indeed necessary for the preservation of our democracy, that these results be investigated thoroughly. Therefore, I commission the Justice Ministry to conduct an immediate and thorough investigation at once in regards to this matter.

~ Marshal Prince Date Munenari

He paused and took another piece of paper, addressed to one of his younger sons living in Kyoto:

Due to the suddenness of this alleged "defeat," I am asking you to hire several investigators on my behalf to immediately ascertain the validity of my concerns; if possible, enter into contact with other members of the government to speed up investigations on the private side, and assist in their inquiries as needed.

~ Chichi

 

[Nax24]

Election of 1891​

The Election of 1891 was squaring up to be the biggest election of the century in Japan. With a part of Japan occupied, it seemed that the NLP would win out with its jingoism and popularity. However, that would quickly change with the start of the election, as a new party, and a revamped one, would take the stage and drastically alter the landscape of Japan.

The Consitutional Democratic Party was a small party based in Chugoku that formed to compete in local elections in 1891. The party itself was led by economist Nagane Hidetoshi, a proud economist and factory owner. It would soon gain popularity however on a national level as the Hosokawa and Uesugi family fully pledged to the party, and the popularity of its pacifism and lax-economic intervention made the CDP run in Kansai and Kanto and compete in the national elections. In the Freedom Party, Mori Takachika would lead the charge, vowing to rid the party of internal fighting and partisan behavior that plagued it the last election.

The Radical Progress Party also underwent a "Radical" change as well. The new face of socialism was the young Murayama Kuri, a socialist at heart. He was elected to the leadership of the party, and his first major act was to rename it to the Farmer-Labor Party, a party that symbolized what the party was founded on, supporting farmers and miners in gaining more economic and political rights. The FLP adopted more socialistic ideas compared to its former form as a progressive party. In time, the FLP would be seen as truly socialist in the eyes of the Japanese people.

The Freedom Party would take advantage of these new parties. Mori Takachika wanted to end the reign of Date, no matter the cost. He proposed a grand coalition to the FLP and CDP, one in which Anti-War and Anti-Date would be the chief components. The FLP and CDP agreed, and a three way joint ticket was formed. The threat was real to the NLP and KAP coalition, and it would seem this grand coalition would become a threat to be dealt with.

With Hokkaido occupied, 12 seats were eliminated temporarily from the Diet. Those seats would be filled up by the Emperor upon Hokkaido's liberation from the British, if it is ever liberated. As the election began, the grand coalition seemed on top. The support of so many famous families boosted their voting prestige. However, the NLP and KAP had one thing on their side, money. Kishiwada Yukio and Kusaribe Kinzo would donate thousands to the campaign of the NLP-Coalition across Japan. Nagane Hidetoshi would almost bankrupt himself in getting funds for the opposition campaign. The extra money and Date's popularity among the masses for ensuring peace, stability, and prosperity, caused the NLP to inch closer and closer to a victory.

The election was close, the closest it had been in decades. The NLP and FP were neck and neck for a majority. However the last few electoral districts declared that the FP/CDP/FLP were victorious in those districts, propelling the opposition to gain 54% of the Diet. The NLP-KAP would have 46% of the Diet. After 35 years of being in opposition, the FP had done it. They had beaten the NLP, and now reign in government. It was time for the old regime to step aside, and a new one to rise.

However many NLP members began to wonder. The last districts to call the vote were latter then usual, late enough to be noticeable. Most people were so focused on the results that they just thought some votes got mixed up and eventually resorted. The people ignored this and celebrated an opposition victory. The NLP could pursue this case further to see why the districts were late, but perhaps the time and effort may be spent elsewhere?

​

----------------------------
Player Actions Needed: PC must now select the prime minister, but if it is not Mori Takachika there will be a MIL penalty, a higher one if the PM is not a member of the FP, and a high one if the PM is not a member of the government coalition.

Sample Ballot:

((Privy Council (Zen, Riccardo, Qwerty, Marschalk) Only)

Prime Minister: [Insert Name]/Abstain

[Rank of Nobility]

You have till tomorrow at 9:00 PM EST or Friday at 1:00 AM GMT to choose the PM

 

[zenphoenix]

((Privy Council (Zen, Riccardo, Qwerty, Marschalk) Only))

Prime Minister: Mori

[Prince]

 

[Qwerty7]

I would like to congratulate all those who voted against tyranny!

((Private - PC))

Prime Minister: Mori

I think the people have spoken. No more Date!

[Count]

 

[Revan529]

((Private: Privy Council))

The Prince had travelled south quickly; he didn't expect to linger in Kyoto. He entered in time to see his Sakamoto counterpart vote for Mori; he was unsurprised.

Due to the suspicious nature of this latest election, I have, as you are all well aware - so far as you have read my previous letter - that I am announcing an official investigation regarding those results; in the meantime, I suggest that the present government remain in power until it reaches its conclusion.

He spoke on other topics briefly, then left.

((Private: Emperor))

He waiting for an audience with the Emperor, and after paying the proper respects upon being granted the privilege, he begins to speak.

Word by now must have reached You, Your Majesty, of the suspicions I and many others have in regards to this election; we had, by all accounts, the popular support, we had contained the Russians and British and were preparing for our counter-attack, the economy has grown rapidly these past few years, and in general Japan has entered a period of extended prosperity, reaching new heights in the recent years. It this unfathomable that the government that has provided these luxuries, these boons, would be ousted, much less by a mish-mash of conservatives, borderline anarchists, and, dare I say it, revolutionaries. How can a party built on redistributing land and wealth gain support amongst the electorate, Your Majesty? I do not believe these results reflect the will of the populace, and this must be thoroughly investigated. I hope that have Your support in such a matter, Your Majesty.

Date bows humbly

 

[Andre Massena]

Date cannot handle defeat! Time to exit gracefully, old man.

The NLP complains about corruption yet it is public knowledge that they bribed thousands of voters. How laughable!