New Ship to Join IHM Fleet Harukichi Yada
10/09/2023
When it launched on the 26th of June, 1982, the
Sanuki Maru was seen by many as the pinnacle of ocean-going transportation, a luxurious abode for Daito's upper class, the
Kazoku and
Shizoku, as well as many others of considerable wealth. At a length of 332.6 meters, it was the largest ocean-going passenger vessel on the planet, only surpassed in the early 2000s, whereupon it and its sister-ship, the
Amami Maru slowly began to lose favor with their owner, FYK. During the 2010s, it was announced that the vessel, which had already been struggling to turn a profit for the line following the independence of Paechon, would be retired, with FYK offering first to sell it to a foreign company or one of its competitors in Daito or, as it was later decided, to sell it for scrap. Many lovers of Ocean Liners across the globe were, naturally, disappointed by this news, and efforts to get FYK to reconsider or for it to at least be made into a museum were launched starting in 2017. However, while its sister has been sold to a shipbreaking yard in Aranye, an offer was made in 2020 which had the potential to save the ship. The Imperial Household Ministry itself was interested in converting the vessel into a private yacht for use by the Imperial Family.
Negotiations over the ship were carried out in private over the course of the next three years, all the while the
Sanuki Maru remained in its drydock in Kyūre. As of 6:00 PM today, the 9th of October, the Imperial Household Ministry has formally purchased the vessel, renaming it the IFY
Ōyakuni, with the ship now expected to undergo repairs as well as a refit to better serve the needs of the Imperial Family. Some have, however, criticized the purchase, valued at roughly 文680 million, calling it a textbook example of excess within the context of the Ministry's financial activities. Others questioned why the Imperial Family needed a vessel of that size, when ships such as the
Hikōkyōi already served the family well enough. However, there were those who praised the move, not only for saving a historically significant vessel, but for the image that it would put forwards of the Imperial Family and the Government of Daito, as the wealth required to not only acquire the vessel, but to operate it, would only be possible in one of the larger economies on the planet. Some have also raised the argument of national prestige, as Daito's neighbor, Rokkenjima, has operated similar ships for the same purpose. Whatever the case may be, the
Ōyakuni will undoubtedly serve the country well. The refit is expected to be complete before the end of the year.
Emperor's Cup Semi-Finals Offer Taste of Greater Things Haruto Ito
10/09/2023
The 2023 Fusan Football Association Emperor's Cup Semi-Finals have come and gone, with Enojima's
Navy Cadets winning a neck and neck victory over Takanabe United. The game saw both teams tied even after extra time, thus requiring a penalty shoot-out. On the other hand, Kyure FC won an expected victory over Awara in their game, held at Awara Stadium in front of a full crowd. It is now a certainty that Enojima and Kyure will go head to head in a battle between the Navy and its main port. But while fans of both teams celebrate their victories, some have suggested that this year's Emperor's Cup could, in theory, be merely a taste of greater things to come, as the FFA has launched a joint bid with its counterpart in Rokkenjima to host the 2023 MFA World Cup in a series of cities near to the border, as well as Shinkyo. Whereas the games today saw only tens of thousands of spectators in person and millions across East Ardia tuning in, over a hundred thousand people could attend the finals of the World Cup in Shinkyo, while billions across the globe would tune in to YHK and RBC to watch the games, bringing a boost to local economies.
Zayasu Heavy Industries Inaugurates New Press Harunori Kōno
10/09/2023
Zayasu Heavy Industries has unveiled the first in a series of new Forging and Extrusion Presses at a ceremony held in Tsuyama. Dubbed "Yanagi", the press, which is capable of producing up to 100,000 tons of force, will soon go to work assisting in the production of a wide array of components ranging from aircraft bulkheads and spacecraft to components in tanks, automobiles, and missiles, all of which could see a reduction in manufacturing costs when the press goes online. Haruichi Endō, the CEO of Zayasu Heavy Industries, stated that the company remains committed to the "Very Large Press Program" (VLP), with "Yanagi" merely being the first step in a journey which will, in time, lead to the creation of a 200,000 ton press, whose construction is currently ongoing. Such a press could not only drastically reduce the cost to manufacture a wide array of technologies, but it could also make them lighter, potentially changing how Daitojin aircraft are created, although of course, some restrictions would apply. After all, just because an aircraft's components weigh less while being stronger than its predecessors does not mean that that the laws of physics can be ignored, but either way, it is clear that Zayasu will commit to this goal which many have deemed important for national security. In other news, the P-10
Phantom has successfully completed its first test flight, spending ten minutes in the air circling its airfield.