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On a Knife's Edge, a Post Weltkrieg 2 Kaiserreich Japan Game
- Thread starter Jakarta
- Start date
christopher_sni
Active member
Any news on an update?
1974 Results, Turn 26
New Plans
Exercise RETOUR off to an extremely successful start (You rolled a 20)
The first planes that landed in Volgograd and Yekaterinburg arrived on time and on schedule as the first of the RETOUR units flew from their bases in Japan onto their positions in East Russia, although a lot of the organisation is chaotic, as typical of doing an exercise of this scale for the first time. It's not the first-ever military exercise at scale Japan has done, and military planners are in general, satisfied, and are planning to fix and refine things further for next year's RETOUR exercise.
Nuclear Conference ratified everything you suggested (You rolled a 10)
We don't know if it's because of the domestic pressure on both the American and Socialist sides, or if they think that our suggestions make sense in ensuring the world would not be engulfed in nuclear flame, but our suggestions were accepted without much debating between the member nations.
You can tout that you have completed your foreign policy objectives to the populace once election season comes at least.
Energy Diversification Plan underway, amid some bumps among local communities (You rolled a 9)
It seems there's a sea change within the populace's mind as the bill passes through both houses of the Diet and was signed by the Emperor. With the Svalbard crisis gone and done with, the population seems to have warmed up to the idea of energy independence, considering how energy prices in the country soared in the months throughout the crisis. And the energy bills Japanese households are burdened with as a result. Of course not everyone was on board with this plan, there are some environmental groups that publicly oppose the building of nuclear reactors, but they seem to be a small group for now.
Sovereign Wealth Fund and Strategic Savings Account rollout highly successful (You rolled an 18)
The rollout of the Sovereign Wealth Fund and Strategic Savings Account have been met with widespread acclaim throughout the CPS, with economists and notable academics praising Japan for ensuring their future with such a move, the first investments we've made are also some of the safest investments we could find, mostly in finance, old companies, and companies that have a very clean record in their paperwork. No under-the-table stuff when it comes to our Sovereign Wealth Fund.
All in all, as perfect as a rollout as you can get.
Rollout of the 40-hour workweek causing a significant shift in the business environment (You rolled a 17)
This is the first time a significant chunk of the workforce has gotten a reduced workweek, and there have been movements all across the Japanese economy, retail sales, and mall visits have been going up as a result of the 40-hour workweek, while businesses are seeing an increased cost in terms of labour as they need to hire more workers to fill in gaps left with the reduction of the workweek, or alternatively, take the brunt of the damage and handle the reduced profits for some time.
These are all short-term implications though, the long-term impact on the overall economy won't be felt until election year, although the more relaxed workforce seems to be a good sign for your reelection chances.
Existing Plans
MBT Program still stumbling (You rolled an 8)
It seems that cooperation is not going to make this program work, there are still disagreements on even the wiring of the electronics in the tank, and how much electronics we should put into the vehicle in the first place. With all three factions having different philosophies for each, it's slowly becoming clear that we need to do a crash course development of our own to ensure that we would have a tank by the early 1980s at the latest. Since this type of cooperation isn't going to cut it.
Fortunately though, we do have a rough idea of what we want, and the technology sharing we have done with the Koreans and Indians have given us a ton of institutional knowledge on how to build the tank, so we know what we are doing at least, but still, this program has been sapping valuable time in the ministry of defense's perspective, and we need to make a new tank FAST.
Preman Problems still persist in the construction of Tanjung Priok port (You rolled a 4)
Construction of the port facilities are still going as planned, but definitely delayed due to the continued harassment from the thugs within the local area, local Jakarta cops also seemed to be unwilling to cooperate with the JICA workers and contractors on the site, and this is proving to be a hurdle we have to jump to in order to finish this construction program.
We would probably need to lobby the Insulindian government in order to bring this problem to heel, or perhaps bring our own police officers into Jakarta and make sure the Premans does not have free reign over the area, since by law we are not allowed to bribe anyone.
Exercise RETOUR off to an extremely successful start (You rolled a 20)
The first planes that landed in Volgograd and Yekaterinburg arrived on time and on schedule as the first of the RETOUR units flew from their bases in Japan onto their positions in East Russia, although a lot of the organisation is chaotic, as typical of doing an exercise of this scale for the first time. It's not the first-ever military exercise at scale Japan has done, and military planners are in general, satisfied, and are planning to fix and refine things further for next year's RETOUR exercise.
Nuclear Conference ratified everything you suggested (You rolled a 10)
We don't know if it's because of the domestic pressure on both the American and Socialist sides, or if they think that our suggestions make sense in ensuring the world would not be engulfed in nuclear flame, but our suggestions were accepted without much debating between the member nations.
You can tout that you have completed your foreign policy objectives to the populace once election season comes at least.
Energy Diversification Plan underway, amid some bumps among local communities (You rolled a 9)
It seems there's a sea change within the populace's mind as the bill passes through both houses of the Diet and was signed by the Emperor. With the Svalbard crisis gone and done with, the population seems to have warmed up to the idea of energy independence, considering how energy prices in the country soared in the months throughout the crisis. And the energy bills Japanese households are burdened with as a result. Of course not everyone was on board with this plan, there are some environmental groups that publicly oppose the building of nuclear reactors, but they seem to be a small group for now.
Sovereign Wealth Fund and Strategic Savings Account rollout highly successful (You rolled an 18)
The rollout of the Sovereign Wealth Fund and Strategic Savings Account have been met with widespread acclaim throughout the CPS, with economists and notable academics praising Japan for ensuring their future with such a move, the first investments we've made are also some of the safest investments we could find, mostly in finance, old companies, and companies that have a very clean record in their paperwork. No under-the-table stuff when it comes to our Sovereign Wealth Fund.
All in all, as perfect as a rollout as you can get.
Rollout of the 40-hour workweek causing a significant shift in the business environment (You rolled a 17)
This is the first time a significant chunk of the workforce has gotten a reduced workweek, and there have been movements all across the Japanese economy, retail sales, and mall visits have been going up as a result of the 40-hour workweek, while businesses are seeing an increased cost in terms of labour as they need to hire more workers to fill in gaps left with the reduction of the workweek, or alternatively, take the brunt of the damage and handle the reduced profits for some time.
These are all short-term implications though, the long-term impact on the overall economy won't be felt until election year, although the more relaxed workforce seems to be a good sign for your reelection chances.
Existing Plans
MBT Program still stumbling (You rolled an 8)
It seems that cooperation is not going to make this program work, there are still disagreements on even the wiring of the electronics in the tank, and how much electronics we should put into the vehicle in the first place. With all three factions having different philosophies for each, it's slowly becoming clear that we need to do a crash course development of our own to ensure that we would have a tank by the early 1980s at the latest. Since this type of cooperation isn't going to cut it.
Fortunately though, we do have a rough idea of what we want, and the technology sharing we have done with the Koreans and Indians have given us a ton of institutional knowledge on how to build the tank, so we know what we are doing at least, but still, this program has been sapping valuable time in the ministry of defense's perspective, and we need to make a new tank FAST.
Preman Problems still persist in the construction of Tanjung Priok port (You rolled a 4)
Construction of the port facilities are still going as planned, but definitely delayed due to the continued harassment from the thugs within the local area, local Jakarta cops also seemed to be unwilling to cooperate with the JICA workers and contractors on the site, and this is proving to be a hurdle we have to jump to in order to finish this construction program.
We would probably need to lobby the Insulindian government in order to bring this problem to heel, or perhaps bring our own police officers into Jakarta and make sure the Premans does not have free reign over the area, since by law we are not allowed to bribe anyone.
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Moving forward
Hey guys.
I'm just curious about your opinion, since I think the game is almost at the halfway point. But where do you want the game to go forward?
One option I'm thinking is stopping things at 2020, and formally finish the game at that point. A pretty straightforward conclusion, and arguably the easier thing to do. I am okay with this ending.
But there's another option of continuing the game up to 2100, where some pretty speculative sci-fi technology would come to play. I would need ya'll guys' help in that case in researching and making sure some technologies be viable and some others not be. And some theoretical political ideologies like world unification and decommodification (to name a few) would definitely come into play as we go forward with the timeline.
So, where do you think this RP's direction should go?
I'm just curious about your opinion, since I think the game is almost at the halfway point. But where do you want the game to go forward?
One option I'm thinking is stopping things at 2020, and formally finish the game at that point. A pretty straightforward conclusion, and arguably the easier thing to do. I am okay with this ending.
But there's another option of continuing the game up to 2100, where some pretty speculative sci-fi technology would come to play. I would need ya'll guys' help in that case in researching and making sure some technologies be viable and some others not be. And some theoretical political ideologies like world unification and decommodification (to name a few) would definitely come into play as we go forward with the timeline.
So, where do you think this RP's direction should go?
I personally prefer 2020 tbh. Easier, more grounded, and probably enough time to finish the cold war.
christopher_sni
Active member
I want to go to 2100.
Rufus Shinra
Well-known member
I am OK with both, though if you go to 2100, I'd be glad to answer when I can to questions on scientific and technological issues that you might add.
AlphaOmega
New member
I'm fine with either option but am leaning towards 2100.
Paper explaining Japan's Social Liberalization.
An interesting theory regarding Japan's liberalization.
There's a recent Social Studies paper that has been garnering the rounds in Academic and even Journalistic circles in the last couple of months. A notable Waseda Sociologist has published a paper detailing work he has been doing for 5 years studying the political leanings of Japanese salarymen who have worked overseas. The methodology of the study is relatively straightforward, the professor and his assistants would ask the salarymen about their political leanings on various issues that are relevant to Japanese politics. Issues such as Race and Gender relations, Corruption, and Government Accountability, etc. etc, and they would ask the participants to put themselves on a scale of 1-10, 1 being a right winger, and 10 being a left winger.
The only significant difference is that half of the group would continue to work in Japan, while the other half would work in various countries. Some of the salarymen work in big corporate and government jobs such as JICA, the Foreign Ministry, Sumitomo, and Mitsubishi, while others work for smaller Japanese companies that have recently expanded overseas. The professor would then wait 5 years, and then, ask the same participants to do the same survey, with all the same questions.
The paper noted that, while most participants have shifted leftwards politically, having a more critical view on issues such as Corruption and Government Accountability, it was the Salarymen who went overseas that shifted most significantly. While the movement in the scale averaged out to 2 points leftward for Salarymen who worked in Japan, the scale shifted 5 points leftward for Salarymen who worked overseas. He reasoned that it was because of meeting different cultures, having to learn a different language, and interacting with different people that gave these Japanese salarymen a more worldly perspective. He also reasoned that Japan will continue its leftward trajectory since JICA projects have been ramping up in intensity consistently since its founding, not to mention the expansion of Zaibatsus into major markets such as India or China, and having to bring talent from Japan to manage their operations overseas, further exposing Japanese individuals to different cultures and perspectives.
It partly explains why Japan has been getting much, much more progressive ever since the 1961 coup, and it makes sense given the business environment Japanese firms have to deal with, unlike in the Socialist west where there is a Defacto lingua Franca of French or English, there is no lingua franca across the CPS, forcing Japanese companies to put in the extra effort to understand the various countries in the CPS, not to mention the lack of cultural homogeneity unlike in the Syndietern, which remains mostly a European dominated bloc.
There's a recent Social Studies paper that has been garnering the rounds in Academic and even Journalistic circles in the last couple of months. A notable Waseda Sociologist has published a paper detailing work he has been doing for 5 years studying the political leanings of Japanese salarymen who have worked overseas. The methodology of the study is relatively straightforward, the professor and his assistants would ask the salarymen about their political leanings on various issues that are relevant to Japanese politics. Issues such as Race and Gender relations, Corruption, and Government Accountability, etc. etc, and they would ask the participants to put themselves on a scale of 1-10, 1 being a right winger, and 10 being a left winger.
The only significant difference is that half of the group would continue to work in Japan, while the other half would work in various countries. Some of the salarymen work in big corporate and government jobs such as JICA, the Foreign Ministry, Sumitomo, and Mitsubishi, while others work for smaller Japanese companies that have recently expanded overseas. The professor would then wait 5 years, and then, ask the same participants to do the same survey, with all the same questions.
The paper noted that, while most participants have shifted leftwards politically, having a more critical view on issues such as Corruption and Government Accountability, it was the Salarymen who went overseas that shifted most significantly. While the movement in the scale averaged out to 2 points leftward for Salarymen who worked in Japan, the scale shifted 5 points leftward for Salarymen who worked overseas. He reasoned that it was because of meeting different cultures, having to learn a different language, and interacting with different people that gave these Japanese salarymen a more worldly perspective. He also reasoned that Japan will continue its leftward trajectory since JICA projects have been ramping up in intensity consistently since its founding, not to mention the expansion of Zaibatsus into major markets such as India or China, and having to bring talent from Japan to manage their operations overseas, further exposing Japanese individuals to different cultures and perspectives.
It partly explains why Japan has been getting much, much more progressive ever since the 1961 coup, and it makes sense given the business environment Japanese firms have to deal with, unlike in the Socialist west where there is a Defacto lingua Franca of French or English, there is no lingua franca across the CPS, forcing Japanese companies to put in the extra effort to understand the various countries in the CPS, not to mention the lack of cultural homogeneity unlike in the Syndietern, which remains mostly a European dominated bloc.
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The ROC's developmental path up to 1974
The Political Development of China, from Dictatorship to Democracy.
China is truly one of the most dynamic polities in the world currently. Broken up into a million warring states after the German victory in the 1st Weltkrieg, China has had a unique struggle to form a new national identity and juggle their domestic issues with foreign problems, all the while grappling with their history of once being formerly the most powerful country in East Asia. The unification of China through the Fengtian and Liangguang governments is perhaps one of the most unique political arrangements once the 2nd Weltkrieg dies down, a joint CPS-Third Internationale military campaign destroying the National Socialist Russian state, and the Union State arising from it's long period of reconstruction. A tradition of limited democracy and compromise was reached as Zhang Zuolin and Chen Jiongming. And once the Chinese people tasted Democracy, a ball was rolled that no powerbroker in Beijing could realistically resist. Especially in the regions of Guangdong and Yunnan, where Federalist forces effectively took control after the various local warlords were defeated.
The people in Beijing knew that they must adapt or die, and with Japan as the preeminent power in all of Asia, they decided to adapt, fearing what Tokyo planned for China if they did resist change and potentially plunge the country into yet another period of disunity.
Alongside the democratic development of the state, however, there is also the complex question of Japanese leadership and economic dominance over the CPS. The 19th and 20th centuries saw the Chinese worldview shatter completely and utterly, losing the opium wars to Western powers that were separated many oceans away, having territories like Hong Kong and Qingdao be taken by European colonial powers, being plunged into an era of economic decline and poverty, and losing multiple wars to Japan over their dominance of the region. China entered into the Kalterkrieg a united nation, but a nation that has an incredibly complex and multifaceted relationship with the leader of the CPS, Japan.
To keep things simple, China has a love-hate relationship with Japan, but this relationship could make or break the CPS should both countries completely fall out, this is a situation both Beijing and Tokyo understand deeply, and in a way, both countries have been trying to make their storied relationship work. Especially with Japan after their government apologized for their various war crimes during the 19th and 20th centuries in 1973. In a weird way, both countries are trading favours in exchange for a more beneficial relationship, with China slowing down their more immediate demands for the Kwantung territory and complete decoupling of trade with Japan, and Japan apologizing for their war crimes, giving China majority ownership of the Mantetsu, and generally not intervening on internal Chinese affairs after unification.
It's a weird arrangement, but it's an arrangement that works.
The democratization of China couldn't have happened if Japan intervened much more heavily in internal Chinese affairs, but the national security of Japan could be severely compromised if they lost goodwill in Beijing. In a way, once Chen Jiongming and Zhang Zuolin signed the unification treaty after the destruction of the Qing and their allies, China could not be realistically exploited the way they were by Japan before they were unified, and with the Syndicalists in the west ever eager to gain more allies in the east, Japan could not afford to lose China's loyalty as their partner in the coming Kalterkrieg, forcing them to only focus on economic development and allowing China more autonomy as time marches on, this increased autonomy naturally leads to Chinese people thinking more freely about the way their society is arranged, and the budding Chinese civil society pressured the ruling dictator of China at the time, Zhang Zuolin, to step down and hold elections in 1965, an election that was won by Chiang Ching Kuo, an ardent Chinese nationalist but someone pragmatic enough to see that Japan is much more malleable to Chinese demands due to their geostrategic situation.
Again, truly one of the most dynamic stories of a nation's political development, things have to go just right for China to be in the position where they are now.
China is truly one of the most dynamic polities in the world currently. Broken up into a million warring states after the German victory in the 1st Weltkrieg, China has had a unique struggle to form a new national identity and juggle their domestic issues with foreign problems, all the while grappling with their history of once being formerly the most powerful country in East Asia. The unification of China through the Fengtian and Liangguang governments is perhaps one of the most unique political arrangements once the 2nd Weltkrieg dies down, a joint CPS-Third Internationale military campaign destroying the National Socialist Russian state, and the Union State arising from it's long period of reconstruction. A tradition of limited democracy and compromise was reached as Zhang Zuolin and Chen Jiongming. And once the Chinese people tasted Democracy, a ball was rolled that no powerbroker in Beijing could realistically resist. Especially in the regions of Guangdong and Yunnan, where Federalist forces effectively took control after the various local warlords were defeated.
The people in Beijing knew that they must adapt or die, and with Japan as the preeminent power in all of Asia, they decided to adapt, fearing what Tokyo planned for China if they did resist change and potentially plunge the country into yet another period of disunity.
Alongside the democratic development of the state, however, there is also the complex question of Japanese leadership and economic dominance over the CPS. The 19th and 20th centuries saw the Chinese worldview shatter completely and utterly, losing the opium wars to Western powers that were separated many oceans away, having territories like Hong Kong and Qingdao be taken by European colonial powers, being plunged into an era of economic decline and poverty, and losing multiple wars to Japan over their dominance of the region. China entered into the Kalterkrieg a united nation, but a nation that has an incredibly complex and multifaceted relationship with the leader of the CPS, Japan.
To keep things simple, China has a love-hate relationship with Japan, but this relationship could make or break the CPS should both countries completely fall out, this is a situation both Beijing and Tokyo understand deeply, and in a way, both countries have been trying to make their storied relationship work. Especially with Japan after their government apologized for their various war crimes during the 19th and 20th centuries in 1973. In a weird way, both countries are trading favours in exchange for a more beneficial relationship, with China slowing down their more immediate demands for the Kwantung territory and complete decoupling of trade with Japan, and Japan apologizing for their war crimes, giving China majority ownership of the Mantetsu, and generally not intervening on internal Chinese affairs after unification.
It's a weird arrangement, but it's an arrangement that works.
The democratization of China couldn't have happened if Japan intervened much more heavily in internal Chinese affairs, but the national security of Japan could be severely compromised if they lost goodwill in Beijing. In a way, once Chen Jiongming and Zhang Zuolin signed the unification treaty after the destruction of the Qing and their allies, China could not be realistically exploited the way they were by Japan before they were unified, and with the Syndicalists in the west ever eager to gain more allies in the east, Japan could not afford to lose China's loyalty as their partner in the coming Kalterkrieg, forcing them to only focus on economic development and allowing China more autonomy as time marches on, this increased autonomy naturally leads to Chinese people thinking more freely about the way their society is arranged, and the budding Chinese civil society pressured the ruling dictator of China at the time, Zhang Zuolin, to step down and hold elections in 1965, an election that was won by Chiang Ching Kuo, an ardent Chinese nationalist but someone pragmatic enough to see that Japan is much more malleable to Chinese demands due to their geostrategic situation.
Again, truly one of the most dynamic stories of a nation's political development, things have to go just right for China to be in the position where they are now.
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christopher_sni
Active member
I have several questions.
How dependent is the CPS on Chinese resources or markets?
Are there countries in the Sphere that are more loyal to Tokyo?
How developed is India compared to the rest of the Sphere?
Can we quietly suggest companies to possibly move facilities out of China? This would not be an official discussion. Just people meeting over tea.
How dependent is the CPS on Chinese resources or markets?
Are there countries in the Sphere that are more loyal to Tokyo?
How developed is India compared to the rest of the Sphere?
Can we quietly suggest companies to possibly move facilities out of China? This would not be an official discussion. Just people meeting over tea.
China is a... pretty important player in the CPS, the Chinese market is pretty sizeable so it would be foolish for other CPS countries to not invest in China, and China has a ton of mineral resources that Japan needs, it's technically not the only country to have mineral resources, but it is the closest country with mineral resources to Japan, importing stuff from Central Asia and East Russia is a bit costly due to the distance, while Korea is in a similar economic position to export their stuff to us to a lesser extent.
Countries like India, Siam, the Philippines and Insulindia are pretty loyal to Tokyo, unlike China or Korea, we intervened in them in an effort to kick the Germans, British, and Dutch out of Asia, and they are very grateful for what we did during the 40s, they don't have the same historical baggage China and Korea has.
Roughly comparable to China, but in a way smaller, it is managed relatively well though, so it is expected that China and India would have a comparable economic growth rate for the coming future. The only major difference with India is that the local Princes have a say in the legislation via the Council of Princes, while China is fully democratic at this stage.
It's possible, but unless you have something major you can give to the Japanese corporations, the sheer size and potential of the Chinese economy is undeniable.
World Events, 1974
January
- A fire broke out in the Joelma building in Sao Paulo, Brazil, killing 177 and injuring 293, 11 would die later of their injuries
- Plans for a Japanese moonbase were first drafted in JAXA offices as Kaguya missions resumed in 1974.
- Japan Airlines begins direct service from Tokyo Haneda Airport to Port Moresby International Airport, the first inter-Pacific flight from Tokyo to the Southern Japanese cities.
- All Nippon Airways, also known as ANA, has surpassed JAL in total aircraft in service.
- The capital of Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, is declared a Federal Territory.
- Malaya and Insulindia have agreed to construct a series of tunnels and bridges connecting Sumatra to Peninsular Malaya.
- Turkish Airlines Flight 981, a flight from Istanbul to Paris, crashed in the black forest, killing all 346 onboard, this is the deadliest single aircraft accident with no survivors
- Stephen King's debut novel, Carrie, was released.
- The Terracotta army was found in Xi'an, China
- A group of women from India, blocked an attempt by a lumber company to fell some trees in Uttarakhand. Giving rise to the Chipko movement.
- An enormous tornado outbreak occurs in the United States, killing some 300+ people and injuring 5000+
- The Tokyo high court will begin hearing witnesses concerning allegations that Johnny Kitagawa sexually abused talents, especially during their training at Johnny & Associates before their debut.
- The Volkswagen Golf is launched in Germany, soon to be making debuts in the rest of Europe
- The Swedish pop band ABBA's song Waterloo wins the 1974 Eurovision Song Contest in Brighton, UK
- An all-female Japanese team climbs Manaslu in Nepal, becoming the first women to climb the 8.000m peak.
- A violent 7.1 earthquake hit the city of Zhaotong, causing 1600 to 20,000 deaths
- A bomb attack by an East Russian Syndicalist terrorist group was foiled by coordination between Japanese intelligence assets in East Russia and East Russian police.
- Economists predict China is set to overtake Japan as the largest economy by the year 2020.
- Discussions on the rebuilding of Nalanda University is underway in India, with both the Councils of Commoners and Princes supporting such a notion.
- A series of planned tunnel constructions in the Nepali/Tibetan border is being planned,
- Korean authorities are slowly warming up to the idea of a tunnel connecting Busan with Fukuoka
- The Mizoram incident, a racist beating by police of a resistant but ultimately innocent Mizoram man led to massive protests in the remote Indian region. The man was stopped by police when driving a car, and racial prejudices and the resistance of the man led to the beating.
- The first major Japanese show hit in Socialist TV, the anime Space Battleship Yamato began airing in TV stations all across the Socialist West, it was a hit with kids and teenagers who gravitated to the action-packed stories.
- The Johnny Kitagawa case has gotten an explosive new development as former administrative staffers, male and female, sent a handwritten note to multiple Japanese newspapers, alleging that Johnny himself has sexually abused 'almost everyone' within the agency.
- A Greek covert operation to overthrow the Cypriot-Cretan government was foiled when Japanese intelligence uncovered the plot from a Taxi driver, the event led to a souring of relations between Greece and the Cypriot-Cretan confederation, as Greece sought to reunite areas they claimed as 'culturally Greek'.
- A Railcar explosion in Decatur, Illinois, led to the deaths of 7 people, injuring 349 and causing $19 million in property damage.
- The Mitsubishi Heavy Industries headquarters in Tokyo, Japan, was bombed by far-left terrorists, injuring 376 and killing 8
- In yet another attempt to destabilize a non-Syndicalist country, Emperor Haile Selassie's government was briefly deposed by the Derg militia, but their attempt was thwarted by the Emperor's royal guard, who called in military reinforcements from out of the city.
- The Global Tourism Organisation was founded.
- The Japanese Red Army occupies the Insulindian embassy in Tokyo, Japan, and was only dislodged when the CRF stormed the area and secured the building.
- TWA flight 841 crashed in the Caribbean sea, engine failure mid-flight led to the plane spiraling out of control, crashing near the coast of the island of Jamaica. All passengers are killed.
- Ronald Joseph Defoe Jr shot and killed his own family while they slept in their beds in their Amityville, New York home.
- The International Energy Agency was founded.
- Lufthansa flight 540 crashes in Madrid, Iberia due to a mechanical failure, killing 59 out of it's 157 passengers
- A skeleton from the Hominid species Australopithecus afarensis is discovered, she was named Lucy.
- The Paris summit, where all heads of state of the ESU met, commences.
- The Global Intellectual Property Organisation becomes a specialized agency under the United Nations
- Darwin, Australia, is almost completely destroyed by Cyclone Tracy
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Rufus Shinra
Well-known member
OTL, there were a shitton of far-right terror attacks during the decolonisation (for Europe) or the Civil Rights movement (for the US). Then it moved to far-left movements doing it, then in the Nineties, religious stuff (the Black Decade in Algeria, that killed more than all islamists attacked in Western countries combined). Terrorist waves tend to shift in ideological backing every decade or so.
1975, Turn 27
New
We are pretty sure most of the major aftermath of the Svalbard Crisis has been put to rest, but nonetheless. Things are not all good within Japan, we have problems that need to be resolved, and potentially an election to decide the fate of the country next year. Let us hope for the best and give it our all this year!
Monarch Points: 3
Crises that needed addressing
Decide on the new MBT.
We came into the new MBT project with much hope for achieving something great, we put some of our best scientists, engineers, and project managers to ensure the project would go as smoothly as possible, but it was not to be unfortunately, the differing standards between the Korean, Indian, and Japanese militaries are proving to be too much of a chasm for us to cross, satisfying all requirements from the three armies is quickly proving to be unviable, and there are silent rumours that the Koreans and Indians are reportedly starting their own tank project in order to compensate for the lack of progress in the joint MBT.
We wanted an MBT with high firepower, and also high mobility, with Army command willing to sacrifice some armour in order to achieve their desired goals, but the Koreans wanted an MBT with a little bit more armour than what we're comfortable with, and also easier interchangeability in terms of spare parts (we prefer easier modifications over interchangeability, our industrial base is sufficient to provide specialized parts for the tanks we have already), while the Indians detest the idea of having a comparatively lightly armoured MBT, preferring something more true and tested with armour that would be a bit too heavy than what Tokyo's comfortable with.
We all agreed knowledge of the Maizuru armour would be jointly shared, and the knowledge we have all gained is going to be shared should we go at it ourselves, but nonetheless. A decision has to be made, should we stick to the project or go for a new, domestic design? Taking the lessons we learned from this project.
[ ] Write In
A moonbase?
Kaguya missions have finally resumed in 1974, with a grand total of 5 Kaguya missions launched in 1974, and a total of 6 Kaguya missions set to go in 1975, while the resuming of the moon mission is good and all, there is already some potential voices in the Diet demanding we reduce funding for JAXA, asking that we should perhaps divert the funds from the Space Program into more worthy endeavors such as boosting welfare payments and infrastructure development, some of them from within our own party as well.
We can very well snub these voices should we direct JAXA to build a moonbase on site and have it be operational in 1976, the possibility is still always there for Japan to have a permanent presence on the moon, at the very least, it will definitely boost the international image of Japan, and definitely help the country's prestige within the CPS, but it will come at a cost, the 6 Kaguya missions planned for this year will be reduced to 2 to cover the costs of building the Moonbase, but it will essentially guarantee the survival of the Kaguya mission, and put a Japanese permanent presence on the moon.
Should we do it?
[ ] Write In
Action Points (+2 from Sovereign Wealth Fund)
[X] Occupied with Port Klang and Tanjung Priok expansion project (will be done in 1978)
[x] Occupied with Military Stockpile buildup (will end in 1976)
[X] Occupied with new MBT Project (will end in 1980)
[ ] Write In
[ ] Write In
[ ] Write In
[ ] Write In
Monarch Points: 3
Crises that needed addressing
Decide on the new MBT.
We came into the new MBT project with much hope for achieving something great, we put some of our best scientists, engineers, and project managers to ensure the project would go as smoothly as possible, but it was not to be unfortunately, the differing standards between the Korean, Indian, and Japanese militaries are proving to be too much of a chasm for us to cross, satisfying all requirements from the three armies is quickly proving to be unviable, and there are silent rumours that the Koreans and Indians are reportedly starting their own tank project in order to compensate for the lack of progress in the joint MBT.
We wanted an MBT with high firepower, and also high mobility, with Army command willing to sacrifice some armour in order to achieve their desired goals, but the Koreans wanted an MBT with a little bit more armour than what we're comfortable with, and also easier interchangeability in terms of spare parts (we prefer easier modifications over interchangeability, our industrial base is sufficient to provide specialized parts for the tanks we have already), while the Indians detest the idea of having a comparatively lightly armoured MBT, preferring something more true and tested with armour that would be a bit too heavy than what Tokyo's comfortable with.
We all agreed knowledge of the Maizuru armour would be jointly shared, and the knowledge we have all gained is going to be shared should we go at it ourselves, but nonetheless. A decision has to be made, should we stick to the project or go for a new, domestic design? Taking the lessons we learned from this project.
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A moonbase?
Kaguya missions have finally resumed in 1974, with a grand total of 5 Kaguya missions launched in 1974, and a total of 6 Kaguya missions set to go in 1975, while the resuming of the moon mission is good and all, there is already some potential voices in the Diet demanding we reduce funding for JAXA, asking that we should perhaps divert the funds from the Space Program into more worthy endeavors such as boosting welfare payments and infrastructure development, some of them from within our own party as well.
We can very well snub these voices should we direct JAXA to build a moonbase on site and have it be operational in 1976, the possibility is still always there for Japan to have a permanent presence on the moon, at the very least, it will definitely boost the international image of Japan, and definitely help the country's prestige within the CPS, but it will come at a cost, the 6 Kaguya missions planned for this year will be reduced to 2 to cover the costs of building the Moonbase, but it will essentially guarantee the survival of the Kaguya mission, and put a Japanese permanent presence on the moon.
Should we do it?
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Action Points (+2 from Sovereign Wealth Fund)
[X] Occupied with Port Klang and Tanjung Priok expansion project (will be done in 1978)
[x] Occupied with Military Stockpile buildup (will end in 1976)
[X] Occupied with new MBT Project (will end in 1980)
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Boost Renewables R&D
Currently, there is not a lot of research and funding into renewable energy, like wind and solar, and especially in regards as to how to make them cheaper. This law will change this status quo, and significantly pour money into making sure we would have the industrial capacity to mass produce solar panels and wind turbines, and not only make them cheaply, but also make them compete with Coal and Oil as viable and economical energy sources too.
This type of thing is expected to yield dividends in the 90s, and potentially be an export asset for us as Environmental concerns will rise up among the global community.
Farming Support Law
While the government supports the farming industry in general, and the rice industry is self-sufficient (for now), there is a growing concern among the Japanese agricultural industry that this will not last long, and further support for the Farming industry will need to be made in order to ensure our food self-sufficiency. This Farming Support Law will ensure that our rice farmers would be compensated for any potential losses should a bad harvest occurs, but also gives them subsidies to supplant their income and also to make sure they can buy seeds easier. The law will also create better economic conditions in our Southern territories to build more rice farms and other staple crops. Funds for farming R&D to create more resilient strains of rice and other staple crops like Potatoes and Wheat will also be introduced, making sure that our yields are more nutritious and more filling for the average Japanese.
Of course, Smallholder farms and Farming co-ops get priority over industrial farms, but that needs no introduction.
The Pacific Free Trade Zone
With the formation of the European Socialist Union. Japanese economists are now advocating that Japan could not feasibly compete against a united Europe alone, with some political thinkers and strategists arguing that unification with some nations might be necessary in the future. Still, most intellectuals want to take some baby steps before jumping into such an ambitious program, and they are advocating for a Free Trade Zone between us, the Philippines, and Hawaii. Where tariffs would be reduced to 0, and with some provisions for the free movement of peoples among the three countries.
It is certainly an ambitious proposal, should we go for it?
Naval Strategic Patrol aircraft program.
The navy currently operates 2 maritime patrol aircraft from our bases in Japan and our outlying islands. The highly modified P1Y5 Ginga, and the US-1A MPA. While the US-1A will continue service for decades to come, the 2nd Weltkrieg P1Y5 is starting to show it's age, and the navy is thinking of replacing the aircraft with something much faster and more capable.
The Nakajima proposed aircraft is looking most promising, it is capable of supersonic flight, has a massive internal and external fuel capacity, allowing it to have the range needed to fly over pacific ocean distances, and is capable of carrying a litany of Anti Ship missiles and Torpedos necessary to sink anything on or under the ocean, while also having the sensors sensitive enough to detect them way before the enemy ship or submarine can detect the aircraft.
The airforce is also interested in procuring the plane and modifying it to become a dedicated electronic warfare aircraft to supplement the F-1 Nightstalker airplane in their possession. Having a larger airframe will give the airforce more room to tinker and modify the aircraft, allowing it to be a much more capable aircraft than the highly modified but quickly maturing F-1 Nightstalker. We only need a slight increase in procurement funds to ensure that Japan's seas and skies are even more safe and more secure than it already was.
GIDC Project: Pearl River Delta economic region
This is a unique project to say the least, considering that it is limited to only a certain region of China, but nonetheless it would be a great project in terms of lifting a significant amount of people from poverty. In short, this is a project mainly spearheaded by the Chinese government, aiming to create an economic region in Southern China, think Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou, by amending the tax laws in that region to be much more lax, and the permitting process much more faster. Already they are aiming for the village of Shenzhen to be a sort of manufacturing hub for the world's companies, and they are asking the GIDC for investments in Railways, Airports, and Highways that will criss-cross the region, bringing even more interconnectivity and increasing economic output in the region.
The dividends should this project succeed is massive, and we will have a grateful China as a bonus as well.
GIDC Project: The Caucasus Chains
With the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty, our caucasus members are proposing a series of road and rail networks that can criss-cross the caucasus mountains, perhaps bringing travel times down to a matter of hours in some areas. This project does have a military angle to it, allowing the rapid deployment of Middle Eastern CPS members into Russia, and Vice Versa should the big war happen. But it also serves a purpose of further linking the Caucasus countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia into the wider CPS economic network, boosting their economies as a result.
Shall we do it?
The Fukuoka-Busan connector
This is not a GIDC Project, but it could very well would be in terms of scale and scope. A bridge spanning from Fukuoka into the sea, before dropping down into the ocean, ending up in a tunnel reaching Busan, a physical connector between Japan and Korea. And for that matter, Japan and Greater asia. The engineering for this project would be something else, but it is within the realm of possibility.
It would also connect the islands of Tsushima and Iki, which would bring increased economic development into both isles, with also the possibility of making a Rapid Train line from Fukuoka into Busan. A promising project, but who will fund it?
Reevaluate the Iron Triangle
A political concept popularized by the German Elite during the era of the Kaiserreich. It generally states that Big Business Conglomerates, the Bureaucracy, and the Government all have an overriding interest in reinforcing their power structures at the expense of everyone not inside of it. The practice of this concept was refined to a T during the glory days of the Kaiserreich, but was shattered when French tanks broke through the Siegfried line and outflanked the Germans in Alsace-Lorraine.
And we don't wanna end up like the Germans now do we?
This will be a gigantic effort, and will take years, if not decades, you're not even sure if you wanna go forward with this. But should you want it, passing a series of labour reforms, strengthening workers rights, create antitrust legislation (will be a first in Japan), and make Japan more Democratic is a surefire way to prevent the self reinforcing power structures in the Triangle from going too far.
Commercialize the JXRNET
The JXRNET Program is yielding results already, as scientific papers being pumped from all across Universities throughout Japan have seen considerable increases, and the number of research grants have multiplied over the years since the JXRNET's Rollout into the Japanese University System. But there is definitely a large untapped market that can utilize the JXRNET, and that is the commercial sector. Business leaders big and small have advocated for the opening of the JXRNET to the public, essentially allowing everyone to use the system as they see fit, effectively allowing a much more freer information network for Japan, and, if it's possible, the entire CPS.
The potential commercial potential of allowing this is HUGE, but we need to ramp up the network infrastructure to cover the entirety of the main isles at least, a doable, but expensive endeavor.
Currently, there is not a lot of research and funding into renewable energy, like wind and solar, and especially in regards as to how to make them cheaper. This law will change this status quo, and significantly pour money into making sure we would have the industrial capacity to mass produce solar panels and wind turbines, and not only make them cheaply, but also make them compete with Coal and Oil as viable and economical energy sources too.
This type of thing is expected to yield dividends in the 90s, and potentially be an export asset for us as Environmental concerns will rise up among the global community.
Farming Support Law
While the government supports the farming industry in general, and the rice industry is self-sufficient (for now), there is a growing concern among the Japanese agricultural industry that this will not last long, and further support for the Farming industry will need to be made in order to ensure our food self-sufficiency. This Farming Support Law will ensure that our rice farmers would be compensated for any potential losses should a bad harvest occurs, but also gives them subsidies to supplant their income and also to make sure they can buy seeds easier. The law will also create better economic conditions in our Southern territories to build more rice farms and other staple crops. Funds for farming R&D to create more resilient strains of rice and other staple crops like Potatoes and Wheat will also be introduced, making sure that our yields are more nutritious and more filling for the average Japanese.
Of course, Smallholder farms and Farming co-ops get priority over industrial farms, but that needs no introduction.
The Pacific Free Trade Zone
With the formation of the European Socialist Union. Japanese economists are now advocating that Japan could not feasibly compete against a united Europe alone, with some political thinkers and strategists arguing that unification with some nations might be necessary in the future. Still, most intellectuals want to take some baby steps before jumping into such an ambitious program, and they are advocating for a Free Trade Zone between us, the Philippines, and Hawaii. Where tariffs would be reduced to 0, and with some provisions for the free movement of peoples among the three countries.
It is certainly an ambitious proposal, should we go for it?
Naval Strategic Patrol aircraft program.
The navy currently operates 2 maritime patrol aircraft from our bases in Japan and our outlying islands. The highly modified P1Y5 Ginga, and the US-1A MPA. While the US-1A will continue service for decades to come, the 2nd Weltkrieg P1Y5 is starting to show it's age, and the navy is thinking of replacing the aircraft with something much faster and more capable.
The Nakajima proposed aircraft is looking most promising, it is capable of supersonic flight, has a massive internal and external fuel capacity, allowing it to have the range needed to fly over pacific ocean distances, and is capable of carrying a litany of Anti Ship missiles and Torpedos necessary to sink anything on or under the ocean, while also having the sensors sensitive enough to detect them way before the enemy ship or submarine can detect the aircraft.
The airforce is also interested in procuring the plane and modifying it to become a dedicated electronic warfare aircraft to supplement the F-1 Nightstalker airplane in their possession. Having a larger airframe will give the airforce more room to tinker and modify the aircraft, allowing it to be a much more capable aircraft than the highly modified but quickly maturing F-1 Nightstalker. We only need a slight increase in procurement funds to ensure that Japan's seas and skies are even more safe and more secure than it already was.
GIDC Project: Pearl River Delta economic region
This is a unique project to say the least, considering that it is limited to only a certain region of China, but nonetheless it would be a great project in terms of lifting a significant amount of people from poverty. In short, this is a project mainly spearheaded by the Chinese government, aiming to create an economic region in Southern China, think Hong Kong, Macau and Guangzhou, by amending the tax laws in that region to be much more lax, and the permitting process much more faster. Already they are aiming for the village of Shenzhen to be a sort of manufacturing hub for the world's companies, and they are asking the GIDC for investments in Railways, Airports, and Highways that will criss-cross the region, bringing even more interconnectivity and increasing economic output in the region.
The dividends should this project succeed is massive, and we will have a grateful China as a bonus as well.
GIDC Project: The Caucasus Chains
With the signing of the Mutual Defense Treaty, our caucasus members are proposing a series of road and rail networks that can criss-cross the caucasus mountains, perhaps bringing travel times down to a matter of hours in some areas. This project does have a military angle to it, allowing the rapid deployment of Middle Eastern CPS members into Russia, and Vice Versa should the big war happen. But it also serves a purpose of further linking the Caucasus countries of Armenia, Azerbaijan and Georgia into the wider CPS economic network, boosting their economies as a result.
Shall we do it?
The Fukuoka-Busan connector
This is not a GIDC Project, but it could very well would be in terms of scale and scope. A bridge spanning from Fukuoka into the sea, before dropping down into the ocean, ending up in a tunnel reaching Busan, a physical connector between Japan and Korea. And for that matter, Japan and Greater asia. The engineering for this project would be something else, but it is within the realm of possibility.
It would also connect the islands of Tsushima and Iki, which would bring increased economic development into both isles, with also the possibility of making a Rapid Train line from Fukuoka into Busan. A promising project, but who will fund it?
Reevaluate the Iron Triangle
A political concept popularized by the German Elite during the era of the Kaiserreich. It generally states that Big Business Conglomerates, the Bureaucracy, and the Government all have an overriding interest in reinforcing their power structures at the expense of everyone not inside of it. The practice of this concept was refined to a T during the glory days of the Kaiserreich, but was shattered when French tanks broke through the Siegfried line and outflanked the Germans in Alsace-Lorraine.
And we don't wanna end up like the Germans now do we?
This will be a gigantic effort, and will take years, if not decades, you're not even sure if you wanna go forward with this. But should you want it, passing a series of labour reforms, strengthening workers rights, create antitrust legislation (will be a first in Japan), and make Japan more Democratic is a surefire way to prevent the self reinforcing power structures in the Triangle from going too far.
Commercialize the JXRNET
The JXRNET Program is yielding results already, as scientific papers being pumped from all across Universities throughout Japan have seen considerable increases, and the number of research grants have multiplied over the years since the JXRNET's Rollout into the Japanese University System. But there is definitely a large untapped market that can utilize the JXRNET, and that is the commercial sector. Business leaders big and small have advocated for the opening of the JXRNET to the public, essentially allowing everyone to use the system as they see fit, effectively allowing a much more freer information network for Japan, and, if it's possible, the entire CPS.
The potential commercial potential of allowing this is HUGE, but we need to ramp up the network infrastructure to cover the entirety of the main isles at least, a doable, but expensive endeavor.
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christopher_sni
Active member
[X] Plan Moonbase
Decide on the new MBT.
[X] In keeping with our defense strategy of rapid movement and rapid deployment we shall select an MBT with high firepower and also high mobility (Japanese Model).
A moonbase?
[X] We shall go forward with building a permanent moonbase for scientific research and a staff of 12 the beginning. The base's main habitation module will first be delivered to the Moon. Later automatic spacecraft, including rovers, would be delivered, followed by a human crew and more modules. For the safety of the crew, the habitation modules will be covered with regolith. Energy for the base will have been provided by atomic batteries and a nuclear reactor.
en.wikipedia.org
[X] Occupied with Port Klang and Tanjung Priok expansion project (will be done in 1978)
[X] Occupied with Military Stockpile buildup (will end in 1976)
[X] Occupied with new MBT Project (will end in 1980)
[X] Boost Renewables R&D, also include funding for fuel efficiency for vehicles and appliances.
[X] Select the Nakajima design for the Naval Strategic Patrol aircraft program.
[X] Farming Support Law
[X] Commercialize the JXRNET
Decide on the new MBT.
[X] In keeping with our defense strategy of rapid movement and rapid deployment we shall select an MBT with high firepower and also high mobility (Japanese Model).
A moonbase?
[X] We shall go forward with building a permanent moonbase for scientific research and a staff of 12 the beginning. The base's main habitation module will first be delivered to the Moon. Later automatic spacecraft, including rovers, would be delivered, followed by a human crew and more modules. For the safety of the crew, the habitation modules will be covered with regolith. Energy for the base will have been provided by atomic batteries and a nuclear reactor.
Zvezda (moonbase) - Wikipedia
[X] Occupied with Port Klang and Tanjung Priok expansion project (will be done in 1978)
[X] Occupied with Military Stockpile buildup (will end in 1976)
[X] Occupied with new MBT Project (will end in 1980)
[X] Boost Renewables R&D, also include funding for fuel efficiency for vehicles and appliances.
[X] Select the Nakajima design for the Naval Strategic Patrol aircraft program.
[X] Farming Support Law
[X] Commercialize the JXRNET
Eliar
Well-known member
[X] Plan Moonbase MK2
Decide on the new MBT.
[X] Military procurement and politics go hand in glove and the new MBT is a major tool for further CPS integration and cooperation. We will modify the design with additional armor and make certain the chassis is capable of baring additional weight for potential future additional armor modules. Make certain to consult with our partners.
A moonbase?
[X] We shall go forward with building a permanent moonbase for scientific research and a staff of 12 the beginning. The base's main habitation module will first be delivered to the Moon. Later automatic spacecraft, including rovers, would be delivered, followed by a human crew and more modules. For the safety of the crew, the habitation modules will be covered with regolith. Energy for the base will have been provided by atomic batteries and a nuclear reactor.
en.wikipedia.org
[X] Occupied with Port Klang and Tanjung Priok expansion project (will be done in 1978)
[X] Occupied with Military Stockpile buildup (will end in 1976)
[X] Occupied with new MBT Project (will end in 1980)
[X] Boost Renewables R&D, also include funding for fuel efficiency for vehicles and appliances.
[X] Select the Nakajima design for the Naval Strategic Patrol aircraft program.
[X] Farming Support Law
[X] Commercialize the JXRNET
I agree with most of Christopher's plan but I truly desire to see a fully CPS design,
Decide on the new MBT.
[X] Military procurement and politics go hand in glove and the new MBT is a major tool for further CPS integration and cooperation. We will modify the design with additional armor and make certain the chassis is capable of baring additional weight for potential future additional armor modules. Make certain to consult with our partners.
A moonbase?
[X] We shall go forward with building a permanent moonbase for scientific research and a staff of 12 the beginning. The base's main habitation module will first be delivered to the Moon. Later automatic spacecraft, including rovers, would be delivered, followed by a human crew and more modules. For the safety of the crew, the habitation modules will be covered with regolith. Energy for the base will have been provided by atomic batteries and a nuclear reactor.
Zvezda (moonbase) - Wikipedia
[X] Occupied with Port Klang and Tanjung Priok expansion project (will be done in 1978)
[X] Occupied with Military Stockpile buildup (will end in 1976)
[X] Occupied with new MBT Project (will end in 1980)
[X] Boost Renewables R&D, also include funding for fuel efficiency for vehicles and appliances.
[X] Select the Nakajima design for the Naval Strategic Patrol aircraft program.
[X] Farming Support Law
[X] Commercialize the JXRNET
I agree with most of Christopher's plan but I truly desire to see a fully CPS design,
christopher_sni
Active member
I will change my position due to Eliar's revision.
[X] Plan Moonbase MK2
[X] Plan Moonbase MK2
