- May 6, 2015
- 2.278
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"Sir, it seems there's a ruckus going on in the capital."
"Can't very well sail to Kyoto now can we, helmsman? Let us continue our patrol."
[Abstain]
"Can't very well sail to Kyoto now can we, helmsman? Let us continue our patrol."
[Abstain]
The Japanese Union of Nationalists is prepared to form the core cadre of the political auxiliary of the military's committee of Imperial rule assistance.
((All militarists have voted, we shall now begin the tactical aspect of the Coup))
Coup of 1898 Pt.1: Bloodless
"What I remember about the rise of the National Liberal Junta is... how quiet it was...
During the waning hours of the 20th century, Corps I of the Imperial Northern Army was discreetly transferred to Kyoto. It was a silent trip.
We all knew what was about to happen, what we were about to do. Did we have any doubts, any private traitorous thoughts? Perhaps but no one said a word...
Not on the train ride to Kyoto, not when Yamagata's orders came down, and not when we marched on the Imperial Diet...
Not a word..."
-Unknown Imperial Soldier, 1898.
To say that the military's march on the Imperial Diet was a "coup" is an exaggeration. With the military lock-step behind him, Yamagata Michitsura marched into Kyoto unopposed and proceed to take over the Diet. The Diet was dissolved, and the Emperor's hand was turned. Emperor Meiji proceeded to make Yamagata Michitsura a Prince, and made him Supreme Commander of the newly formed Supreme War Council. Yamagata suspended the constitution, arrested all Liberal Democratic Party leaders, and proceeded to institute martial law on Japan. The country was now under the direct rule of Yamagata Michitsura and his officers. What was inevitable became a reality. The Emperor's silence was what shocked many individuals. Emperor Meiji for a long period of time felt that his power was being stripped, and the honor and prestige of his ancestors was being forsaken for the Diet. Meiji was supportive of what the NLP aimed to do, but not of how it did it. Meiji would remain silent, not openly supporting or discrediting the coup. For once in his life, power could be his to obtain, absolute rule.
(Imperial Troops marching through Kyoto)
The Supreme War Council though put an end to his thoughts about a new government with him as Supreme Leader. The War Council, led by the Chief of General Staff (Yamagata), and his military officers seemed to show that the military wanted to keep decision making and power to themselves. While Yamagata did promise to give Meiji more power, the Emperor began to have doubts on this new government. It reminded him of the Shogun, that damned institution that plagued his family for centuries, the institution that made the Emperor powerless and nothing more then a spiritual leader, that accursed position Meiji fought a war over, an institution that men like Sakamoto Naotari and Date Munenari split blood to fight against. Meiji began to feel that this was a return to the old days of the Shogun. However, with the Imperial Guard, his own household guard, supporting this initiative, he remained silent. He knew that the government would see him replaced easily should he speak out against the new Junta, so he did not speak.
(The Supreme War Council with Foreign Representatives)
As for the Liberal Democratic Party, all its leaders, including Hajamoto, Murayama, and Uesugi were arrested. Satake Yoshinobu was arrested as well for speaking out against the coup and was declared an enemy to the new government. The LDP was dissolved. While the Japanese Union of Nationalists was a legal party, it was all put a puppet, a wing of the new government run by the NLP. However some individuals did not show their support nor opposition. Two men, General Yamamoto Gonnohyoe, and Admiral Date Munehiro did not support either side. Yamamoto did not know what to do. The Emperor's silence meant to the Imperial loyalist Yamamoto that the Emperor was not going to pick a side. Thus, like his Imperial Majesty, Yamamoto opted to stay neutral, and kept Korea's colonial army back. Munehiro was another surprising neutral figure. Munehiro was the grandson of legend Date Munenari, and was seen as his successor in many ways. Though he was not as politically inclined, nor military ranked as his grandfather, the Date name carried with him. His neutrality might have been spurred as passive aggressiveness to the destruction of the democracy his grandfather had built. Meiji himself took notice at the famous family's stance, and that influenced his opinion against the coup a little bit more.
(A modern model of the Supreme War Council, Yamagata pictured center)
In the end, the NLP had won its final victory, or so it seemed. Power is a mystery. There are those who would destroy lives and countries to obtain this power, and there are those who would betray friends and comrades to just taste it. It moves men and mountains the same, and as the chaotic political situation in Japan took form, it was a time for opportunists to take action and make a name for themselves. It was a time of treachery and support, a time if distrust. It was very similiar to the Sengoku Jidai in a way. Yet in the end, only one winner would emerge, and who did will shock everyone...
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Player Actions: Wait....
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Let Japan sleep, confident in its loyal defenders, and forget the waking nightmare that was democracy. It is time for every full-blooded son of Nihon to enjoy the fruits of empire.
((What I remember about the rise of the Empire is... is how quiet it was. During the waning hours of the Clone Wars, the 501st Legion was discreetly transferred back to Coruscant. It was a silent trip. We all knew what was about to happen, what we were about to do. Did we have any doubts? Any private, traitorous thoughts? Perhaps, but no one said a word. Not on the flight to Coruscant, not when Order 66 came down, and not when we marched into the Jedi Temple. Not a word.
- SWB II))
- SWB II))
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Coup of 1898 Pt.2: Betrayal
The Tokkei was the secret police of the Japanese government. Created by Tanabe Shinzou, the Tokkei leadership was appointed jointly by the Minister of Interior and Prime Minister. They were responsible to the Minister of Interior, who at the time was Kusaribe Kinzo. Kinzo had for the last few years, appointed members of the Tokkei who were loyal to him. Without the Prime Minister really taking this new organization into consideration, the Tokkei were stacked of pro-Kamikaze Party members, loyal imperialists, and in the most radical cases, some anti-NLPers. Kusaribe Kinzo made the Tokkei loyal more to him then to the actual government. The Tokkei were deadly in their task, hunting down and making socialists/radical leaders disappear without a trace. It is said that upon mentioning their name, even weeping children hush. Kusaribe made sure the Tokkei were efficient killing machines.
(A Tokkei soldier)
Then came the Coup of 1898. Kusaribe was on the side of the NLP when the army was deployed. However, he became worried when the Supreme War Council was formed. He felt, like Meiji, that the new government was too reminiscent of the Shogunate. He felt the Emperor deserved more power. Kusaribe began to plot. He contracted fellow economist and capitalist rich-man Kishiwada Yukio to help him set up the plot. The idea was simple, have the Tokkei arrest all the coupers and proclaim Japan an absolute monarchy run only by the Emperor. With that plan in motion, Kusaribe and Kishiwada formulated the "Osaka Pact", a joint-leadership organization that would see this new military government destroyed and replaced by a new Imperial Regime. When the coup marched victoriously into Kyoto, Kusaribe and Kishiwada sent Tokkei agents to watch every move of the generals. Tokkei agents though were also employed by the bill creating them to be the bodyguards of said generals, putting them in easy positions to strike the generals. Eventually, as the coup solidified into a regime that would take the reigns of power, Kusaribe ordered the strike.
(The Osaka Pact, Kishiwada pictured center)
In the night of May 1, 1898, the Tokkei bodyguards assigned to generals around the island struck. They arrested General Yamagata, General Ryuu, General Kusanagi, General Matsuzaka, General Nobunage, and Tanabe Shinzou. Their efficiency was brutal, as they left with their prisoners in tow without a trace. Yamagata though felt confident in his military's power. They would not let these secret agents break his agenda! But Kusaribe and Kishiwada had that covered. Both men would shell out 1.5 million Yen total to bribe officers, soldiers, and army personal across the country. The Tokkei took out pro-NLP officers who would undermine this counter-coup. Eventually, the military, bribed with large amounts of cash and promises of lucrative nobility titles, joined sides with the Osaka Pact. The LDP party was released in hopes for their support. However disloyalty among ranks were common. Edo was captured by soldiers loyal to the NLP, but were put down by Osaka Pact troops. The new government was firmly in-place. The Emperor was more supportive of this takeover then he was of the NLP takeover. The Osaka Pact was firmly for giving the Emperor absolute power. The Emperor even commented that with Kusaribe he would finally receive his will to rule. The Diet was dissolved, and the two industrialists gave the Emperor absolute power and rule by decree. The Emperor promoted both men to positions on his Privy Council, and appointed Kishiwada Yukio as the first appointed Prime Minister of the new government.
(Following the Osaka Pact overthrow, the Tokkei struck out against NLP officers)
Two men had just broke the NLP. After years of parties bashing the NLP for control, two men did it in hours. Now it is left to see not only if this new regime would survive, but if it could prosper. Old elements of the old democracy were left unchecked, but the day belonged to the industrialist.
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Player Actions Needed: Keinwyn and mrlifeless approached me with the option of using Keinwyn's control of the Tokkei secret police to allow them to try and take over the government from the NLP. I obliged, for it seemed reasonable and plausible to happen (the Tokkei were bodyguards of the generals). Also, Keinwyn jointly appointed the director with Maxwell, but the director only responds to Keinwyn. They shelled out a lot of money, and had a whole plot organized. They got lucky with the rolls I gave them, and took power.
This is a new direction I want to go with revolutions and coups for the next game. Basically for that I want to allow anyone to try their luck in overthrowing the government. Based on reason-ability, plausibility, and other factors, I alone would determine if it would work. In this case, it could have failed, but Keinwyn got lucky. Most people would view this method as subjective and may lead me to being biased. This situation above was a perfect scenario to test out this new mode I want for the next IAAR. Please give me feedback on your thoughts of this, and if it should be implemented for further games.
For now, I have some new things to post, but at the moment Keinwyn and mrlifeless are in control of an Absolute Monarchy Japan, Terraferma, Maxwell, Dreumel, Andre, TJDS, and Mikkel are all in jail, and I will leave those not mentioned to determine their fates.
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Uesugi scratched his nose, he didn't really expect what had happened, but it happened. Given that he couldn't speak in the Diet, he opted to speak during one of the times that his rank allowed in the Imperial Court.
"Oh Great and Prosperous Lord Emperor, can I be appointed to the Privy Council given the recent removal of almost the entirety of the former PC and the place of my father on the body?"
"Oh Great and Prosperous Lord Emperor, can I be appointed to the Privy Council given the recent removal of almost the entirety of the former PC and the place of my father on the body?"
((No they had been released. If I did not say OOC you are in jail, you are not in jail))
I and my 50,000 soldiers are willing to negotiate a deal with this new government to reach a deal which will be favorable to both the Philippines, Japan, and the Ainu people.
- General Atakshir Toyokawa
- General Atakshir Toyokawa
If I knew there was another coup to give the emperor absolute power I would have supported it. But no one tells me anything.
-Matsuzaka
-Matsuzaka
Count Munehiro continues to sail about the Sea of Japan, lamenting the state of his grandfather's party; perhaps, should it still exist by the time this madness came to an end, it would find itself under new management. In the meantime, he awaits orders from the Emperor.
What Diet members are in the Capital are led to the chamber, where Kusaribe addresses them.
Where in Yamagata's coup was the will of His Imperial Majesty? The Boshin war was fought all those years ago to free this land from the grip of one military dictator and now another seeks to take his place. As the minister responsible for the internal security of His Divine Majesty's Empire I find myself unable to, in good conscience, condone or support an action that undermines and regresses the state of the Empire. Indeed such actions are in direct contradiction of the constitution and do much to dishonour the Emperor.
Nor is there any threat that may call for intervention by the military. When our divine sovereign, on the advice of the exalted Prince Date, instituted martial law twenty years ago the nation, exhausted after a gruelling war faced widespread civil unrest and outright revolt. The need for strong and effective leadership was clear and pressing. Yet now we have no such impending disaster. For what then, do Yamagata and his ilk seek to impose themselves upon this nation? Stability? Prosperity? I answer that the Empire has never been more prosperous, whilst order gradually exerts itself.
Rebellion, then, can be for no other reason than to fulfil ones own selfish ends or for the imposition of one's own philosophy upon the state. Now I do not honestly believe that under any stars General Yamagata would act under the former, however raising one's hand against or without the consent of our Divine Emperor can be construed as nothing less than treason. It is thus that with heavy heart that I announce that in the early hours of the morning the Tokkei, fulfilling their remit to protect His Majesty and his Empire, apprehended or executed those Generals and their civilian supporters guilty of treason against our Divine Emperor.
His Imperial Majesty has been advised, and has accepted said advice, to dissolve this body and rule by decree for a period of time for the restoration of order and continued prosperity of Nippon.
Tenno Heika Banzai!
Where in Yamagata's coup was the will of His Imperial Majesty? The Boshin war was fought all those years ago to free this land from the grip of one military dictator and now another seeks to take his place. As the minister responsible for the internal security of His Divine Majesty's Empire I find myself unable to, in good conscience, condone or support an action that undermines and regresses the state of the Empire. Indeed such actions are in direct contradiction of the constitution and do much to dishonour the Emperor.
Nor is there any threat that may call for intervention by the military. When our divine sovereign, on the advice of the exalted Prince Date, instituted martial law twenty years ago the nation, exhausted after a gruelling war faced widespread civil unrest and outright revolt. The need for strong and effective leadership was clear and pressing. Yet now we have no such impending disaster. For what then, do Yamagata and his ilk seek to impose themselves upon this nation? Stability? Prosperity? I answer that the Empire has never been more prosperous, whilst order gradually exerts itself.
Rebellion, then, can be for no other reason than to fulfil ones own selfish ends or for the imposition of one's own philosophy upon the state. Now I do not honestly believe that under any stars General Yamagata would act under the former, however raising one's hand against or without the consent of our Divine Emperor can be construed as nothing less than treason. It is thus that with heavy heart that I announce that in the early hours of the morning the Tokkei, fulfilling their remit to protect His Majesty and his Empire, apprehended or executed those Generals and their civilian supporters guilty of treason against our Divine Emperor.
His Imperial Majesty has been advised, and has accepted said advice, to dissolve this body and rule by decree for a period of time for the restoration of order and continued prosperity of Nippon.
Tenno Heika Banzai!
((Telegram from Seoul to Imperial Palace))
Events in Japan noted STOP Congratulations to the Emperor prevailing STOP Korea is peaceful and under control STOP Advise if help needed to run IGHQ STOP
Yamamoto
CO Korea
Events in Japan noted STOP Congratulations to the Emperor prevailing STOP Korea is peaceful and under control STOP Advise if help needed to run IGHQ STOP
Yamamoto
CO Korea
((The more things change, the more they stay the same.))
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Absolute Monarchy Mechanics
So we are an absolute monarchy, which the monarch has absolute control over the country. He can rule by decree and do whatever he wants. However there is still an aristocracy, and a bureaucracy. This is seen by two major bodies and positions, the Prime Minister and the Privy Council.
The people in charge may wish to adopt some further legislation via constitution or decrees, but for now, this is the basic blueprint.
Prime Minister: Appointed upon request of the Privy Council, the Prime Minister shall have the power to make a cabinet to serve the will of the Emperor. The cabinet shall be what it was before, with each position allowing the minister control over some aspect of the country (Minister of Finance over the budget). However since voting is no longer an option, things like the budget will be put into effect immediately.
Privy Council: Appointed by the Emperor upon request of current sitting members, the Privy Council shall act as the new legislature, with higher ranking nobles earning more points, princes getting an automatic seat upon inheritance, etc. They can vote on reforms and bills they want the Emperor to decree.
The PC may out the Prime Minister and replace him. The Prime Minister can appoint the CoGS. The PC may remove and appoint members at its leisure.
Without elections or a major legislative organ for voting, updates shall now spam five years each. As soon as elections are added, this shall end. Economic Wealth shall not be as important due to the lack of need for lobbying.
For now, mrlifeless should appoint his cabinet, and I shall appoint Privy Councillors to fill up the seats. Update shall be in two days time at 9:00 PM EST on Thursday or 2:00 AM GMT on Friday.
Remember we are only 14 years away from the end, lets finish this game on a good note.