Nihon Shimbun

[Bearcat]

ETSUO HIRATA DECLARES HIMSELF SHOGUN

Today at the Emperor's Palace in Tokyo, Etsuo Hirata declared himself Shogun of the new Empire of Japan. Standing beside Shogun Hirata was Emperor Akihito who made no effort to show his opinion on the matter of the new Empire. Shogun Hirata promised to make Japan a feared presence in the Pacific once again. The Crown Prince Naruhito seemed very enthusiastic about Hirata's new Empire. After making his speech at the Palace, Hirata left to the shelled out Kokkai building where he met with the new Imperial Council.

He announced a Five Year Plan for the Japanese Self-Defense Forces, now renamed the Imperial Armed Forces. Shogun Hirata named Shintaro Ishihara as the new Commander of the Imperial Armed Forces. This makes Ishihara the second most powerful man in Japan after Hirata. The Imperial Army would begin conscription of Japanese women aged 19-23 and men aged 17-40. But the Imperial Navy and Imperial Air Force would remain professional. A Marine Corps would also be formed out of the best and brightest of the Imperial Army. Shogun Hirata also announced that he would begin to produce more equipment for the Army.

In addition all former members of the democratic Kokkai have been purged and those who have vocally protested this have dissapeared. Shogun Hirata has announced that he will not allow the new Japan to be threatened by pacifists and liberals.

Shorter News:
-Imperial Army places order for 300 Type 100 Main Battle Tanks.
-Several known pacifist businessmen executed in Kyoto.
-Earthquake in Osaka.

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[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited October 27, 2000).]
[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited October 28, 2000).]

[Bearcat]

JAPAN AND VIETNAM SIGN BI-LATERAL, MILITARY ALLIANCE

Today in Tokyo Shogun Hirata and Vietnamese President Vu An Khoi signed two treaties that made Japan and Vietnam military and bi-lateral allies. With the disintegration of the democratic government in Japan and the new government in Vietnam the Shogun felt it would be best to make use of this oppurtunity. And with extremely hostile reaction from the Taiwanese this alliance may secure Japan's immediate security. Open monologue with the People's Republic of China has not been achieved yet, however it is expected to begin soon.

In accordance with the deal Vietnam will provide the Imperial Army and Navy with bases in Vietnam and Japan will provide Vietnam with the blueprints of the Type 100 Main Battle Tank. Japan and Vietnam will also conduct joint exercises and cooperate on designing and producing new military technology for both nations' armed forces.

Shorter News:
-150,000 infantry added to the Imperial Army.
-Mitsubishi F-2 project enters trials with the Imperial Air Force.
-Japanese diplomats head to Beijing.

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[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited October 28, 2000).]

[Bearcat]

SITUATION WITH TAIWAN GROWS TENSE

Today the government in Tokyo recieved a diplomatic communique from the Taiwanese government in T'aipei. The communique was sent informing the Council that Taiwan had decided to seek an agreement with Italy, after being warned against it by Japan. The Taiwanese said quote "We are not afraid". Shogun Hirata after being informed of the Taiwanese communique had this to say.

quote: The Taiwanese government has made a horrible error in judgement. By allying themselves with Italy they make themsleves a pariah state in the East Asian market. The goods of South Korea, Japan, and China would all be much more accessable to the Taiwanese consumer but the decision of Preisdent Chen has cut them off from these markets.

Along with this the Taiwanese military has begun to make hostile actions toward Japan. The government in T'aipei ordered that all Japanese nationals be deported or arrested. In response Shogun Hirata has ordered that all Taiwanese nationals be arrested and brought to Tokyo for possible execution. Along with this the Japanese embassy in Italy has been closed and the staff evacuated. In Tokyo the Italian embassy has been forcibly closed and the staff sent back to Rome on a departing Lufthansa flight.

The Imperial Navy and Imperial Air Force have mobilized their reserves and begun pre-war preperations. The Imperial Army has announced however that it is in a state of unreadiness.

Shorter News:
-Emperor Akihito dies of stroke.
-Type 100 order upped to 950 tanks.
-Another 100,000 soldiers conscripted.

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[This message has been edited by Bearcat (edited October 29, 2000).]