1966, Turn 18
One year on, and the things we have accomplished in our first year alone is pretty tremendous. Indigenous Harmonization, Union strengthening, Shows of strength to our allies, and Anti Buraku discrimination legislation. All good stuff, but of course, the new campaign promises of the Shakai Taishuto is much more than just those things. So we have a whole list of stuff that needs to be legislated this year, and also some foreign issues that needed handling as well.
Let's do this shall we?
Crises that needed addressing
A man on the moon?
This is insanity. We do not have the technology to do this, and the amount of resources poured into our space program would be ridiculous, right?
Well, the resources are, but the technology? Not so much, at least from what the Scientists from JASA tells us. It is possible to put up a manned spacecraft on the moon, and then bring the crew back into the Earth. It'll involve a lot of heavy engineering, and lots of money, but it is possible.
We have also heard rumours that the Syndicalists might be planning the same thing. So there might be some vested interest in doing a first that the Syndicalists haven't done yet. France and Britain are not backwater countries after all.
[ ] Write In
The end of the Note Crisis
In 1962, a note was sent into Finland that set off a national crisis in the country, and we stepped up to send them arms and supplies in order to prevent the situation from spiraling even further. And it seems that the situation has finally worked out in our favour, the assistance of the Russians was key on this endeavour, since the arctic route was mostly blocked off by ice, and East Russian icebreakers paved the way for huge convoys of ships to arrive in Murmansk and unload weaponry and supplies for the Finns.
And it seems that the Syndies, now tied up with their engagements in North America and South Africa, have backed off. They have issues a supplementary note that the Finns have no need to be scared, and that the Socialist west will respect the independence of the Finns and any foreign policy decisions they would take (with the added note that they shouldn't interfere in the domestic affairs of their Baltic and Nordic neighbors, something the Finns have no interest in doing anyway).
Now, with the end of the Note Crisis. What shall we do? President Urho is very much asking that Japan builds a small base and a 'tripwire' force to be placed in Helsinki, a more permanent gesture of friendship to the Finns than the weapons shipments, and command does have some troops willing to be placed there. What shall we do?
[ ] Write In
The War in North America
But of course, the War being fought in North America is extremely concerning. With France, Britain, Canada fighting against America. The entire world is being put on caution, and in fear as well. All the participating countries, with the exception of Canada, are nuclear powers. And the possibility that one of these countries might launch a nuclear strike is a very real possibility.
A possibility that might destroy the world.
The Foreign Ministry suggests that we scream our hardest in the United Nations, currently, they are conducting a long truce, but the possibility of war breaking out in North America is a strong possibility, a diplomatic effort from not only us, but fellow CPS members to bring some sort of treaty to prevent the conflict from spiraling further is a necessity, and practically every country in the CPS agrees to such an endeavour.
Perhaps even some other countries in the Socialist West. We've been hearing rumours that the Iberians, Italians, Polish, Germans and Dutch are not very happy with the conflict either, and will probably vote in our favour should the war continue. Perhaps a UN General Assembly Resolution might be in our best interests here.
[ ] Write In
The War in South Africa
And of course, the war in South Africa. Who would've expected this right?
Needless to say the conflict is broiling over, with no-one really desiring to back off anytime soon. But it seems that the priorities of the North American war is seriously sapping the will of the Socialists to continue the conflict here. Should we continue the course? Or perhaps go on the advance for once? It seems that the Nightstalker flights we've been conducting is seriously degrading the Socialists' AA systems throughout the region. And some lightning attacks across the border might be worth undertaking, destroying bases, seizing supplies for both the South Africans and Botswanans, and degrade morale even more.
Ultimately it's up to you.
[ ] Write In
Action Points
[ ] Write In
[ ] Write In
[ ] Write In
[ ] Write In
[X] Occupied by the full electrification of the Japanese train network.
EDIT: Added 1 law that might interest you.
Let's do this shall we?
Crises that needed addressing
A man on the moon?
This is insanity. We do not have the technology to do this, and the amount of resources poured into our space program would be ridiculous, right?
Well, the resources are, but the technology? Not so much, at least from what the Scientists from JASA tells us. It is possible to put up a manned spacecraft on the moon, and then bring the crew back into the Earth. It'll involve a lot of heavy engineering, and lots of money, but it is possible.
We have also heard rumours that the Syndicalists might be planning the same thing. So there might be some vested interest in doing a first that the Syndicalists haven't done yet. France and Britain are not backwater countries after all.
[ ] Write In
The end of the Note Crisis
In 1962, a note was sent into Finland that set off a national crisis in the country, and we stepped up to send them arms and supplies in order to prevent the situation from spiraling even further. And it seems that the situation has finally worked out in our favour, the assistance of the Russians was key on this endeavour, since the arctic route was mostly blocked off by ice, and East Russian icebreakers paved the way for huge convoys of ships to arrive in Murmansk and unload weaponry and supplies for the Finns.
And it seems that the Syndies, now tied up with their engagements in North America and South Africa, have backed off. They have issues a supplementary note that the Finns have no need to be scared, and that the Socialist west will respect the independence of the Finns and any foreign policy decisions they would take (with the added note that they shouldn't interfere in the domestic affairs of their Baltic and Nordic neighbors, something the Finns have no interest in doing anyway).
Now, with the end of the Note Crisis. What shall we do? President Urho is very much asking that Japan builds a small base and a 'tripwire' force to be placed in Helsinki, a more permanent gesture of friendship to the Finns than the weapons shipments, and command does have some troops willing to be placed there. What shall we do?
[ ] Write In
The War in North America
But of course, the War being fought in North America is extremely concerning. With France, Britain, Canada fighting against America. The entire world is being put on caution, and in fear as well. All the participating countries, with the exception of Canada, are nuclear powers. And the possibility that one of these countries might launch a nuclear strike is a very real possibility.
A possibility that might destroy the world.
The Foreign Ministry suggests that we scream our hardest in the United Nations, currently, they are conducting a long truce, but the possibility of war breaking out in North America is a strong possibility, a diplomatic effort from not only us, but fellow CPS members to bring some sort of treaty to prevent the conflict from spiraling further is a necessity, and practically every country in the CPS agrees to such an endeavour.
Perhaps even some other countries in the Socialist West. We've been hearing rumours that the Iberians, Italians, Polish, Germans and Dutch are not very happy with the conflict either, and will probably vote in our favour should the war continue. Perhaps a UN General Assembly Resolution might be in our best interests here.
[ ] Write In
The War in South Africa
And of course, the war in South Africa. Who would've expected this right?
Needless to say the conflict is broiling over, with no-one really desiring to back off anytime soon. But it seems that the priorities of the North American war is seriously sapping the will of the Socialists to continue the conflict here. Should we continue the course? Or perhaps go on the advance for once? It seems that the Nightstalker flights we've been conducting is seriously degrading the Socialists' AA systems throughout the region. And some lightning attacks across the border might be worth undertaking, destroying bases, seizing supplies for both the South Africans and Botswanans, and degrade morale even more.
Ultimately it's up to you.
[ ] Write In
Action Points
[ ] Write In
[ ] Write In
[ ] Write In
[ ] Write In
[X] Occupied by the full electrification of the Japanese train network.
Japan Air Pollution Control Law
In the wake of the Americans signing their Clean Air Act. The Japanese public's interest in the quality of their air, and the pollutants that might poison it. Has seen significant increases. And the public demand for some air quality regulation is increasing by the day. An Air Pollution Control Law. Which will establish daily PPM Standards for various pollutants, add fines for companies spewing massive amounts of pollutants into the air, and also empower the Ministry of the Environment to enforce these laws, by way of increasing their budget, should be a simple way to satisfy their demands.
Should be a straightforward law to pass. Demand is pretty high for this law to be passed.
Formation of JICA
JICA, or the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is an idea proposed by Foreign Minister Kijuro Shidehara. It would involve turning responsibility for all our current foreign investment program under One Government Agency, the formation of JICA will pretty much ensure that we can further fine tune our foreign investment/ aid money since supervision of these projects, whether it's grant money for Hyundai Rotem, continued Mantetsu funding, and even Railway modernization in Insulindia would be all under one roof.
The main problem? Well, it's super tricky. Since JICA's formation would be a direct attack on MITI, The Foreign Ministry, and the Ministry of Finance, ALL of them incredibly powerful government agencies with Civil Servants that has high influence in Japanese Politics. MITI alone is a giant to conquer, MITI, FM and MoF altogether? Well, Kijuro Shidehara can handle the Foreign Ministry, but MoF and MITI fighting against your agenda will be...
Just don't underestimate Civil Servants.
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.
GIDC Project: Port Klang and Tanjung Priok expansion
Still a massive project proposed by the Insulindian and Malayan delegates, but considerably more conservative. The cities of Klang and Jakarta is set to begin expanding their port facilities to meet the demands of their rising middle class, and unfortunately they are still trying to entice investors across Australia, Japan and New Zealand to fund their project. It will no doubt be a significant boost to the Insulindian and Malayan economies should the expansion be approved as a GIDC Project, but nonetheless, it will count for tens of billions of dollars of funding for the next couple of years.
Still more feasible than what the Indians are proposing though.
Reevaluate Japanese Democracy
The current system of Japanese elections involve some manner of district, in which a single candidate is elected from said district. A system that works in the general, but nonetheless a system that has to be reinforced via independent redistricting commissions and a lot of public relations campaigns throughout the 40s.
There is a new system, increasingly being voiced by the Urban members of the various parties, and it would rework the way of how representatives are elected, for both houses.
It would rewire the districts, but these districts would have the seats for multiple candidates, so a single district can elect a Socialist, a Social Liberal, a Conservative, and a Market Liberal at the same time. It would use the D'hondt apportionment method, and it would also involve a lot of public relations campaigns as well.
In short, it would make the way our system works from a Single District system, into a Proportional Representation system. And there is a clear rural-urban divide in terms of support for this methodology of electing members, at least from the Home-Islands. We are not sure how the outlying islands will react to this way of counting votes though.
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?
Further fund JXRNET
The JXRNET project is slowly chugging along. Initial funding and continued funding of it even to today is showing results. But this JXRNET project, this revolutionary project, could potentially be online for testing this very year, yes, the year 1966. Should we give it a few more million dollars in funding. The Computer Scientists and everyone on board in this project is not so subtly suggesting that this JXRNET project could begin prototyping and even, commercial deployment into the mid to late 70s should we fork just a little bit more money into it.
Should we do it? Admittedly this project is a bit of an experimental one and kinda hard to comprehend due to it's scale and technicality, but everyone that knows something about computer is highly interested in JXRNET's progress, and is lobbying the government to give it the extra boost needed to make it operational in some form.
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 Green Revolution, bringing it to bear
A Proposal from the East Russians, the Green Revolution has revolutionized the way Russians eat their grains. Increased irrigation and further fine-tuning of their crops has allowed significantly increased crop yields within the northern country, not only that. The Green Revolution within Russia has also been exported into the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, and parts of India as well. Significantly increasing food harvests and potentially improving the dietary qualities of the people living there.
Perhaps it is time to bring these various miracles into the wider CPS.
A PR campaign promoting the usage of these new selectively bred crops into the wider CPS, alongside with grants from our government for irrigation and pesticides should the farmers that want to use these high yielding crops need more resources to increase their yields. This project could also be exported outside as well. Into countries such as Mexico, Nigeria, Denmark, and many others that obviously want some more food security. This is a simple project, very straightforward, but it'll cost you.
GIDC Project: The Tibet 'Windmills' network
Tibet, after signing a very technical treaty with China and India, has agreed to not build any dams within their river networks in order to provide some security for both the Indians and Chinese. The Yangtze and Brahmaputra river valleys both originate in Tibet, and construction of a dam in a country where these sources of water originate which is a big no no for both countries.
Tibet is also a rapidly developing country that needs electricity, and is currently importing most of their electricity from Chinese coal plants, a drain in the budget that could potentially be used for other things such as infrastructure and welfare.
Tibet is planning on changing this, and they're gonna use Windmills as their primary weapon. This is a decades long project, only capable to bear fruit in the 80s, but the potential for money is high, and the potentials for scientific advancements that could be used for other sectors is also very high. Should we look further into this 'Wind Turbine' proposal Tibet's been banging about? Our Universities have been able to generate power from wind, but such a gigantic project, to power an entire nation from wind power, is radical.
In the wake of the Americans signing their Clean Air Act. The Japanese public's interest in the quality of their air, and the pollutants that might poison it. Has seen significant increases. And the public demand for some air quality regulation is increasing by the day. An Air Pollution Control Law. Which will establish daily PPM Standards for various pollutants, add fines for companies spewing massive amounts of pollutants into the air, and also empower the Ministry of the Environment to enforce these laws, by way of increasing their budget, should be a simple way to satisfy their demands.
Should be a straightforward law to pass. Demand is pretty high for this law to be passed.
Formation of JICA
JICA, or the Japan International Cooperation Agency, is an idea proposed by Foreign Minister Kijuro Shidehara. It would involve turning responsibility for all our current foreign investment program under One Government Agency, the formation of JICA will pretty much ensure that we can further fine tune our foreign investment/ aid money since supervision of these projects, whether it's grant money for Hyundai Rotem, continued Mantetsu funding, and even Railway modernization in Insulindia would be all under one roof.
The main problem? Well, it's super tricky. Since JICA's formation would be a direct attack on MITI, The Foreign Ministry, and the Ministry of Finance, ALL of them incredibly powerful government agencies with Civil Servants that has high influence in Japanese Politics. MITI alone is a giant to conquer, MITI, FM and MoF altogether? Well, Kijuro Shidehara can handle the Foreign Ministry, but MoF and MITI fighting against your agenda will be...
Just don't underestimate Civil Servants.
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.
GIDC Project: Port Klang and Tanjung Priok expansion
Still a massive project proposed by the Insulindian and Malayan delegates, but considerably more conservative. The cities of Klang and Jakarta is set to begin expanding their port facilities to meet the demands of their rising middle class, and unfortunately they are still trying to entice investors across Australia, Japan and New Zealand to fund their project. It will no doubt be a significant boost to the Insulindian and Malayan economies should the expansion be approved as a GIDC Project, but nonetheless, it will count for tens of billions of dollars of funding for the next couple of years.
Still more feasible than what the Indians are proposing though.
Reevaluate Japanese Democracy
The current system of Japanese elections involve some manner of district, in which a single candidate is elected from said district. A system that works in the general, but nonetheless a system that has to be reinforced via independent redistricting commissions and a lot of public relations campaigns throughout the 40s.
There is a new system, increasingly being voiced by the Urban members of the various parties, and it would rework the way of how representatives are elected, for both houses.
It would rewire the districts, but these districts would have the seats for multiple candidates, so a single district can elect a Socialist, a Social Liberal, a Conservative, and a Market Liberal at the same time. It would use the D'hondt apportionment method, and it would also involve a lot of public relations campaigns as well.
In short, it would make the way our system works from a Single District system, into a Proportional Representation system. And there is a clear rural-urban divide in terms of support for this methodology of electing members, at least from the Home-Islands. We are not sure how the outlying islands will react to this way of counting votes though.
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?
Further fund JXRNET
The JXRNET project is slowly chugging along. Initial funding and continued funding of it even to today is showing results. But this JXRNET project, this revolutionary project, could potentially be online for testing this very year, yes, the year 1966. Should we give it a few more million dollars in funding. The Computer Scientists and everyone on board in this project is not so subtly suggesting that this JXRNET project could begin prototyping and even, commercial deployment into the mid to late 70s should we fork just a little bit more money into it.
Should we do it? Admittedly this project is a bit of an experimental one and kinda hard to comprehend due to it's scale and technicality, but everyone that knows something about computer is highly interested in JXRNET's progress, and is lobbying the government to give it the extra boost needed to make it operational in some form.
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 Green Revolution, bringing it to bear
A Proposal from the East Russians, the Green Revolution has revolutionized the way Russians eat their grains. Increased irrigation and further fine-tuning of their crops has allowed significantly increased crop yields within the northern country, not only that. The Green Revolution within Russia has also been exported into the Middle East, Australia and New Zealand, and parts of India as well. Significantly increasing food harvests and potentially improving the dietary qualities of the people living there.
Perhaps it is time to bring these various miracles into the wider CPS.
A PR campaign promoting the usage of these new selectively bred crops into the wider CPS, alongside with grants from our government for irrigation and pesticides should the farmers that want to use these high yielding crops need more resources to increase their yields. This project could also be exported outside as well. Into countries such as Mexico, Nigeria, Denmark, and many others that obviously want some more food security. This is a simple project, very straightforward, but it'll cost you.
GIDC Project: The Tibet 'Windmills' network
Tibet, after signing a very technical treaty with China and India, has agreed to not build any dams within their river networks in order to provide some security for both the Indians and Chinese. The Yangtze and Brahmaputra river valleys both originate in Tibet, and construction of a dam in a country where these sources of water originate which is a big no no for both countries.
Tibet is also a rapidly developing country that needs electricity, and is currently importing most of their electricity from Chinese coal plants, a drain in the budget that could potentially be used for other things such as infrastructure and welfare.
Tibet is planning on changing this, and they're gonna use Windmills as their primary weapon. This is a decades long project, only capable to bear fruit in the 80s, but the potential for money is high, and the potentials for scientific advancements that could be used for other sectors is also very high. Should we look further into this 'Wind Turbine' proposal Tibet's been banging about? Our Universities have been able to generate power from wind, but such a gigantic project, to power an entire nation from wind power, is radical.
EDIT: Added 1 law that might interest you.
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