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Welcome to YHK: The Fusan Broadcasting Corporation. For nearly a century, we have offered our audience nothing but the finest journalism and programming in the southern hemisphere, covering the domestic and foreign stories which are most important to you. From the jungles of Kalasin and the deserts of Tamora to the freezing arctic and the cities of Daitō, through the greatest triumphs of humanity and its darkest hours, whether rain or shine, we have and will remain committed to our mission of providing unbiased reporting and high quality programming for our viewers. To access our archive, which contains stories dating back to the early years of YHK as well as our affiliated newspaper, the Fusan Times, go to www.YHK.dt/Archive (https://daitonewsrepository.proboards.com). Domestic news is available online at www.YHK.dt/News (http://) and www.YHKWorld.dt/News (http://), as well as via radio on YHK Radio 1 and various subsidiaries, as well as via television on YHK General TV, YHK BS4K and YHK BS8K. Documentaries can be viewed both on YHK BS 1 and our upcoming streaming service, YHK+.
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Zayasu Heavy Industries, AADC Partner to Create Military GEV
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Harunori Kōno
05/19/2023
In early 2022, reports surfaced indicating that Daitō's Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) was running a program to develop a new class of ground-effect vehicle (GEV). Dubbed the "Advanced Cargo Transportation System", or "ACTS" for short, the program called for the creation of a massive cargo seaplane that would leverage the ground effect to fly long distances efficiently by skimming over the surface of the sea. Now, it is worth noting that ARPA is well known for having many ideas which have been called "crazy", only some of which ever come into fruition. Excitingly, however, we have heard that several major aerospace companies have signed on with their own designs for the ACTS program, meaning that a new, full-scale prototype make take to the skies in the near future. The concept behind ACTS is to create a hybrid delivery system that combines the speed of an aircraft with the efficiency of sealift. While ACTS will be capable of flying like a normal seaplane, cruising just tens of meters above the water could boost the aircraft's range by 50 percent. A spokesperson for the program likened it to the cargo vessels of the Great War, which were relatively cheap and easy to build while being invaluable for several nations at the time.
Currently, there are two major competitors for the design phase of the ACTS program. They are the Negishi Corporation, which manufactures the Q-7 Dragon GEV for the Imperial Daitōjin Navy, and a joint venture between Zayasu Heavy Industries and the Achkaerin Aeronautical Development Company. While there isn't much in the way of technical detail on the designs as of yet, we do know some basic things about the designs. For example, the Negishi design appears to look somewhat like a traditional seaplane, making use of eight turboprops and having wings which are bent downwards, likely to offer further stability while on the water. The AADC-Zayasu design, by comparison, seems more ambitious. With twin hulls, the aircraft features a low-wing design with twelve turboprops, seeming closer to ARPA's initial concepts for the program and is optimized on-water stability and seakeeping. Despite that, neither concept images communicate much about the efficiency of the aircraft's construction process, which will be a significant factor in the decision about which design will move forwards.
In order to facilitate the program, as well as to expand Daitō's ability to construct components for aircraft and other equipment, it has been further confirmed that the Daitōjin government will help fund the expansion of Zayasu's current fleet of forging and extrusion presses, the largest of which are "only" capable of producing 80,000 tons of force. It is their aim to eventually build presses capable of imparting up to 200,000 tons of force, which would help bring down manufacturing costs for nearly any aircraft being built going forwards. It would also make their components stronger and lighter, which could potentially open the doors to larger and larger ground effect vehicles as well as cheaper aircraft, however, whether such lofty goals come into fruition remains to be seen.
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Navy Acquires Base in Preoria
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Yukari Murai
05/24/2023
War Minister Esashi confirmed in a statement to the press earlier today that the Imperial Daitōjin Navy had acquired a base on the Island of Arannant in Preoria. Dubbed "Naval Station Llwynbelan", the acquisition marks a significant turning point in Daitō's military history, as it is the first foreign military base to be operated by the military since the late 2000s. As a result of the East Ardian Asset Price Bubble bursting in 2008, it was decided that the country would reduce its foreign commitments as a cost-saving measure, which included closing any bases operated abroad, instead using Tsukishima as a staging area for assisting the Republic of Kalasin prior to the 2017 conflict. This decision on their part perhaps suggests a return to the old ways, where Daitōjin vessels patrolled the world's oceans and seas, safeguarding trade alongside her allies for the rest of the world. Indeed, this decision comes at a curious time, as reports of piracy in the Krimeon have emerged, with some experts suggesting that Daitōjin vessels might, in time, aid the Preorian navy in patrolling the "rainbow route" designated under the Krimeon Anti-Piracy Program.
Marshal Esashi further confirmed that the Preorian Navy will acquire a base on the island of Tsukishima, repurposing the Hirado Naval Station for their own use. Similarly to Llwynbelan, this marks a turning point for the military, which long been hesitant to the presence of foreign military bases in the country. However, in light of this new internationalist stance on the part of the Imperial Government, it is possible that this unofficial policy has become obsolete. The bases, alongside their airfields and other facilities, are expected to go into service later this year.
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Zayasu to Produce J-8 Replacement
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Hajime Matsui
05/27/2023
The Imperial Daitōjin Air Force has announced that it has awarded its contract for the JAST-AF program to Zayasu Heavy Industries. The company, which has been in competition with Aizawa-Shinoda for the contract, has long been suspected to be the frontrunner for the program, owing to its experience in delivering the venerable—albeit expensive—J-19 Viper and the J-24 Tiger II, with its prototype, the YJ-30, making its public debut in 2018. The JAST-AF program is the last part of the larger Joint Advanced Strike Technology program, intended to field a fleet of new aircraft which will replace a number of current aircraft. Renamed as the J-30 "Shrike", the JAST-AF program is intended to fully replace the aging fleet of J-8 Hawk multirole fighters over the next few years, with it also being suggested for foreign use to replace similar aircraft.
"Lessons learned", said Kunihiro Marutaka, the CEO of Zayasu Heavy Industries, in a statement issued when the contract was announced, citing the aircraft's heritage. It incorporates design features and knowledge from previous programs, most notably the J-19 and the Negishi-built J/G-28 Eclipse. Some have been quick to call it a miniature J-19, noting the presence of an all-moving V-tail, as well as the similarity of its cockpit. Others have noted design features which resemble the J/G-28 and even the Tytorian AS-60, owing to the relative similarity of its wing shape, which seems to be a mid-way point between them and the characteristic diamond-shaped wings of the J-19, and its intakes. The aircraft will leverage recent advantages in stealth technology, most notably ceramic radar absorbing material (C-RAM) which was recently confirmed to also be present on the company's P-10 Phantom to both increase performance and reduce costs, allowing it to be purchased for roughly comparable to the J-24. The J-30 is expected to enter service later this year.
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Ministry of War Confirms Successful Final Hypersonic Missile Test
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Harunori Kōno
06/03/2023
Marking a major milestone in its hypersonic weapons research, the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) conducted a stunning final test of its Hypersonic Air-breathing Weapons Experiment (HAWX) program, which it calls the most successful of its kind in the nation's history. Per ARPA, the vehicle was launched from a P-42 Fencer bomber, at which point its rocket booster was ignited, propelling the missile to a speed at which its scramjet ignited. During its flight, which lasted for just over five minutes, the missile was reported to have travelled close to 556 kilometers and reached altitudes in excess of 18,200 meters. While an exact location of the test was not stated, it was confirmed that the P-42 carrier plane took off from Noto Air Force Base on the east coast of Tsukishima. ARPA also did not confirm the date of the test beyond saying it was "recent", most likely within the last two weeks. ARPA added that this test marked the completion of the HAWX program, one that "accomplished all of its initial objectives." ARPA will use the data from this program as part of its efforts to field a full-scale version of its Hypersonic Attack Cruise Missile (HACM), as well as in the development of future hypersonic platforms, both for military and research purposes.
Zayasu, which developed the version of the HAWX weapon flown during this test flight, issued its own statement praising the program's success. "Both of our HAWX flight tests launched launched from an in-service aircraft and matched performance models and predictions to aid affordable, rapid development of future hypersonic weapons," Zayasu Heavy Industries CEO, Kunihiro Marutaka, said in the statement. Daitōjin military officials have been quick to proclaim the success of the HAWX program, with some going as far as to say it was the "most successful hypersonic airbreathing flight test program in the country's history."
The key technology being tested during the program is its air-breathing scramjet engine. A scramjet is a form of jet engine in which combustion takes place while the air passing through it is moving at supersonic speeds. Whereas a normal jet engine uses moving turbines to compress the air inside them, these scramjets use their own geometry and speed to achieve this compression. Scramjets are designed to more efficient than other types of jet engines and can reduce overall weight by removing moving parts such as turbine blades. The data from the HAWX tests will be used to further hypersonic vehicle designs, including the coming HACM missile which is set to enter service in the near future. The completion of the HAWX program adds to other recent successes in the Daitōjin military's efforts to field operational hypersonic weapons. This includes last month's AGM-191 ARROW test, as well as an upcoming final test of the Long-Range Hypersonic Vehicle (LRHV) which will be operated by both the Army and Navy. Additionally, ARPA confirmed that it had selected Aizawa-Shinoda to build a prototype Hypersonic aircraft.
Supreme Court Ruleing Finds Prohibition on Same Sex Marriage Unconstitutional
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Yasuhiro Ishihara
06/04/2023
Activists, members of the LGBTQ community, and the lawyers of several plaintiffs took the streets of Shinkyō today to celebrate a ruling by the Supreme Court which found that the current prohibition on same-sex marriages was unconstitutional. This comes following last September's ruling by the High Court in Awara that the ban on such unions was constitutional, with a number of the plaintiffs challenging the ruling and taking it to the Saikō-Saibansho. In his opinion, which was published late last evening, Chief Justice Hirokatsu Aikyō said the current system that excludes same-sex couples with no legal protection for their relationship is unconstitutional and that there is no room for government discretion. He further said that not allowing same-sex marriage violated the guarantee of equal rights under article one of the 1st Amendment to the constitution, while also noting that article four provides freedom to marry by not specifying a prohibition on same-sex marriage. Chief Justice Aikyō was joined by a majority of Justices on the Supreme Court, however, Justices Nishitani and Tachikawa offered dissenting opinions, viewing the ban as not necessarily unconstitutional, although they shared the ruling of the Shinkyō District Court that the government lacks a rationale to justify the absence of legal protections for same-sex couples. Just one member of the court, Justice Sakamoto, came out saying that the prohibition is constitutional.
Asato Kuwabara, a lawyer for the plaintiffs, said "The judicial branch, on behalf of the rights of minorities, has raised its voice and sent a strong message to the government." before adding "That message is clear: It cannot continue to ignore these issues, that it must act immediately to resolve this problem."
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Carrier to Deploy to the Krimeon
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Akifumi Taniguchi
06/20/2023
In a statement issued earlier today, General Haruichi Tamura, the Press Secretary for the Ministry of War, confirmed that the Imperial Daitōjin Navy will forward-deploy the Sōryū (CVN-38) alongside its Strike Group, CSG-6, to the newly-opened NS Llwynbelan naval base in Preoria starting next month. This group, which also consists of three cruisers as well as five destroyers and two frigates, alongside two attack submarines and a fast combat support ship, is anticipated to participate in anti-piracy operations alongside the Preorian Navy under the terms of the Charter of the Krimeon Naval Coalition. Furthermore, these assets will help to serve Daitōjin interests in the region, most notably with regards to protecting trade through the Matilda Channels and extending the country's ability for power-projection. "It is the sincere belief", said General Tamura, "that these assets will help to restore peace to the region, and it is our hope that further cooperation between the Coalition and the Empire of Daitō can be arranged, whether it be in the form of financial or logistical assistance."
The deployment comes following the establishment of a military presence in the Western Krimeon and amidst the ongoing conflict within the Democratic Republic of Kalasin, which could see the return of Daitōjin troops to the country following the recent election of Prawat Krairiksh as President. Such a deployment would be the third time that Daitōjin ground forces would be present in the country in less than fifty years, ignoring of course on the island of Paechon, which was given independence in the late 90s before signing the Saelim-Mangjul Accords in 2019, establishing the current confederation.
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TransOrbital to Launch Next-Generation OPIR Constellation
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Harunori Kōno
06/25/2023
The Imperial Daitōjin Space Force has officially confirmed that TransOrbital Solutions, the joint venture between Aizawa-Shinoda and Zayasu, has been contracted as the primary launch service provider for its Next-Generation Overhead Persistent Infrared (NG-OPIR) satellite constellation. NG-OPIR is the successor to Daitō's Space Based Infrared Systems (SBIRS) program, providing a resilient space-based global missile warning capability against emerging missile and counter-space threats. The Next-Gen OPIR GEO (Geostationary Orbit) space vehicles integrate a new OPIR sensor with an enhanced Aizawa-Shinoda 1150 Common Satellite Bus, which will allow the satellite to also be placed into a polar orbit to further enhance early warning for incoming missile strikes, both on Daitō itself and on its assets deployed overseas. Perhaps more interesting, however, is another piece of hardware which will work alongside it.
Rising to the forthcoming challenge of new forms of missiles, the NG-OPIR constellation will be augmented by a second constellation of Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellites. Nicknamed "Watchtower", HBTSS will, according to the Space Force, be a critical part of the OPIR constellation, providing "Continuously updated high-quality tracks to handoff for targeting hypersonic threats", "Near-global coverage when prompted by other OPIR systems", and "Fire control solutions required for HGV intercept". In other words, it will, alongside ongoing upgrades to the YŌGO Ballistic Missile Defense System seen aboard many naval vessels currently in service and at on-shore sites throughout the country, provide Daitō with the capability to defend against all currently in-development missile technologies, from conventional ballistic missiles to more recent hypersonic glide vehicles and perhaps even hypersonic cruise missiles. It is anticipated that the navy will test an interception of a Hypersonic Boost Glide Vehicle at some point in August, while testing of Watchtower and NG-OPIR will be conducted at some point later in the year once the satellites begin to be launched. As for the launches themselves, it is widely anticipated that NG-OPIR and Watchtower will be launched aboard either UHS Block III spacecraft or Tenjin VII rockets out of both Shirasu Space Force Base and Kintei Space Center on the island of Tsukishima.
Emperor to Attend Festival of Sail
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Michiko Koyamatsu
06/25/2023
In a statement issued by the Imperial Household Ministry, it was confirmed that His Imperial Majesty, the Emperor, will attend the 2023 Festival of Sail in Portworth, East Moreland, alongside other members of the Imperial Family. They are expected to depart this evening aboard the Imperial Yacht, Hikōkyōi, and will be escorted by the IDN Minekaze for the duration of the voyage. While no itinerary has been made public, it is suspected that the vessels will make stops in the Miyako Islands and Kalasin, with the latter allowing for a visit with the new President of the Confederation. Daitō's representation at the 2023 Festival of Sail is expected to be reduced from last year, owing to the immense cost associated with the presence of two traditional vessels as well as a cruise ship, the SS Fusō-maru. Rather, some expect that only the Kamakiri-maru, which made its ocean-going debut last year, will return to East Moreland alongside the Hikōkyōi and Minekaze.
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"Revive the Battleship!" Could Scramjets Revitalize Older Vessels?
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Yukari Murai
07/02/2023
Following the announcement last month that the Imperial Rokkenjiman Navy would be reactivating three of its Reverence-class Battleships, Cecelia Anselmo, Alexander Vaughan, and Edward Truden, once again debate surrounding the retirement of Daitō's own Greater East Ardia War-era battleships has emerged, with some criticizing the decision made in 2020 to decommission the IDN Akitsukuni, which had been recommissioned in the early 1990s, in favor of the new class of nuclear-powered strike cruisers. While yes, the Miyakejima-class is capable of firing projectiles from its 155mm AWS cannons out to a range of up to 150 kilometers, some have suggested that, for the role it would fill, such ranges are not acceptable owing to advances in anti-ship missiles. Not only that, however, the system, when it entered service, was already outclassed by Rokkenjima's own Susanō family of munitions, with the AWS's 155mm LRLAP (Long Range Land-Attack Projectile) still being at a minimum 35 kilometers short of Susanō, itself capable of ranges up to 185.2 kilometers, while other variants are projected to have a range of nearly 278 kilometers. To make matters worse, the 155mm LRLAP is only compatible with the AWS cannon, whereas Susanō can, in theory, be fired from any 18.1" cannon, such as the cannons aboard the Akitsukuni, or as it actually is used, aboard the Reverence-class. It is clear, then, that in this field, Daitō has fallen behind.
But what if this didn't need to be the case? Indeed, while the debate over the need for naval gunfire support continues to rage both in online and military circles, there are potential options that would allow Daitō to overtake Rokkenjima in this "arms race" to field longer-ranged artillery. Scramjet projectiles, using technology being developed by the Imperial Daitōjin Armed Forces for its hypersonic weapons programs, could, for example, increase Naval firepower and reach by several orders of magnitude. The immense penetration capability of these extremely high velocity rounds could be especially effective in attacking caves and deep installations such as bunkers, while the high velocity also means they could eventually provide highly responsive tactical fire support out to 370 kilometers at a minimum, allowing a ship equipped with them to support deep Army airborne and NLC deployments. Another potential advantage of such shells over hypersonic missiles and conventional missiles would be that, if the need arose, such munitions could be replenished at sea, and moreover the latter is limited by the number of VLS cells aboard the ship. In theory, a reactivated Akitsukuni could, alongside the VLS cells it received during a refit in the early 90s, carry up to 1,300 of these scramjet projectiles, although it would normally only carry up to 500 18.1" scramjet shells, leaving room for conventional shells and other munitions.
So why then isn't Daitō investing in this technology? After all, it would potentially revolutionize not only naval gunfire support, it could reshape how we look at artillery in general. The truth is, Daitō is investing in such systems. Back in the early 2000s, a researcher working at the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) said, quote, "Uechi Technologies' initial analysis of a scramjet-powered 18-inch gun-launched projectile indicates that a range of approximately 740 kilometers, a time to target of 9 minutes, and an impact velocity of 853 meters per second is feasible." It is now suggested that such a range could be pushed up to in excess of 926 kilometers, far enough that, during the Second Kalasinese War, had the Akitsukuni been armed with such shells, it would've been capable of targeting any site on the mainland. While tests of such technology were undertaken in the early 2000s, for the most part they were frozen following the 2003 East Ardian Recession, but even so, it has been suggested that Daitō's strategic long range cannon program might make use of scramjet technology to increase its range. More related to this story, however, are proposals to temporarily requisition either the Akitsukuni or her sister, Tōkai, in order to test an 18.1" scramjet projectile. Whether this will actually happen remains to be seen, but if it is successful, perhaps naval warfare will have to change. But until such a day comes that the technology is proven, it may be that the mighty Battleships of Daitō will lay dormant, awaiting the day that they are called upon to defend the country once more.
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Fusan Railways Group Proposes Okayama-Cescedia Line
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Eiji Konishi
07/07/2023
During a conference held in Otsu, Hisanobu Igawa, the Chairman of Fusan Railways Group, proposed a joint venture with Ardia's National Railways which would link their High Speed Rail network with Daitō's Shinkansen system. He noted that, while the recently-established EAFTA—of which Daitō and Ardia are party to—does not necessarily ease travel between member-countries, the Allied States has been a country whose citizens have enjoyed the ability to Daitō without a visa for up to ninety days, with this policy dating back to 1986. Likewise, the opposite has also been true, due to a concerted effort from the 1960s onwards to normalize and bolster ties between the two countries in the aftermath of the Great War. There will be challenges, of course, as Daitō and Ardia's High Speed Rail networks do not cross the border, and in fact end more than 100 kilometers from the border, however, if the proposal is accepted by both country's governments, construction work could begin within a year, with a line between Okayama and Cescedia, along with numerous other stops along the way, being the first route that might be established. Chairman Igawa also suggested that such a program could, in time, be seen as an early test of an international high speed rail network which would ideally cover much of East Ardia, tying the region closer together.
NASDA Launches First Crewed UHS Block III
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Heisuke Nakamura
07/07/2023
NASDA launched its first crewed flight of the UHS Block III Spacecraft yesterday evening, with it set to visit Zenshoen for a period of two weeks. Crewed by Arihiro Royama as the spacecraft's commander and Hisaki Yonezawa as its pilot, it marks the end of a rigorous period of testing made possible by advances in technology that were not available when the Block I and II orbiters were built. Among such "core technologies", then-Deputy Director Jiro Asagiri noted in 2018, were a replacement of hypergolic fuels utilized in the orbiter's reaction control system (RCS), a more robust thermal protection system (TPS), easier servicing of the orbiter, and easier processing and integration of the payload and orbiter. Some have criticized its payload capacity, merely 11.3 metric tons compared to the UHS Block I and II's 27.2 tons, however, it is worth noting that said capabilities are being replaced by the Tenjin VII booster, which more than exceeds the older orbiters payload with between 100 and 200 metric tons, depending if the booster is expended or not. Nonetheless, when this mission is completed, it is fully anticipated that NASDA will begin regular flights of the vehicle as it slowly transitions away from the Block II UHS.
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Central Bank to Issue New Mon Starting in 2024
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Fuyu Hiraiwa
07/14/2023
The Bank of Fusan has confirmed that it intends to go forwards with a plan to issue new banknotes starting on the 1st of January, 2024, in order to celebrate the one year anniversary of the Banwa era. These new Mon notes mark a radical departure from previously issued notes, as it notably is aligned vertically rather than horizontally, and it does away with images of people, instead focusing on famous paintings of locations across Daitō. These paintings are all in the traditional Ukiyo-e style, and include works by Ogata Gekkō and Hiroshige, among other prominent artists throughout the country's history. Of particular note is the image used for the 文100 bill, which features a painting from the late Keiō era depicting the Imperial Diet in Shinkyō, which was selected to give honor to the institution which has, despite troubles over the years, provided stability to the country and come to be seen as a symbol of democracy and the rule of law. Other images depict Mount Haku, views of Byōdō-in Temple and the Mihara Shrine, as well as a scene of Hagi (modern Shinkyō).
Some have, however, criticized the move as being unfairly preferential to the mainland at the exclusion of both the Amami Islands and Tsukishima, whose populations make up approximately 11.5% of the population combined, with the latter in particular being one of the most culturally and ethnically distinct regions of the country. When asked to comment on the matter, the governor of the bank, Haruhiko Kato, said, quote,
"The concerns of the affected parties are noted, and indeed, in the future I believe that their inclusion will become likely. However, at this time, we believe that the decision of the bank, made in cooperation with the Imperial Diet—many of whose members are of Dalseomin and Amami descent—was the correct one, as it best represents the nation as a whole, rather than giving preference to one group in particular."
In other news, the Ministry of Finance has confirmed that it is exploring the possibility of establishing a digital currency to work in tandem with the Mon. This "Digital Mon", or "DMon", would be a CBDC, or Central Bank Digital Currency, to be managed by the Bank of Fusan. Such CBDCs would provide a number of advantages, including that they can provide a secure and reliable means of digital payment and remittance. Furthermore, they can be used for online and offline transactions and can be integrated into existing payment systems, as well as be used to facilitate cross-border payments, which can be a major challenge with traditional fiat currency. Another advantage of such a system would be that the Digital Mon would provide financial inclusion for those who are currently unbanked or underbanked. By providing a digital alternative to cash, it would make it easier for people to access financial services and participate in the digital economy. Despite this, there are those who have voiced their concerns that such a currency would have a negative impact on their privacy, with the potential of offering increased surveillance of financial transactions. Whatever the case may be, however, such a change would have a significant impact in how citizens live their lives, and if Daitō, already one of the world's largest economies, were to elect such a CBDC, it could lead to many other countries following suit.
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Imperial Diet Dissolved, Snap Elections to be Held
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Hidehisa Takagi
07/17/2023
In a ceremony held in Shinkyō, His Majesty, Emperor Eijirō, has, with the advice of the cabinet, ordered the House of Representatives dissolved, and for new elections to be held. Such a process has long been the norm in the country, first occurring in 1952 under Prime Minister Toshinari in what has become known as the "People's Will" dissolution, and generally is seen as an extension of the democratic process in the country. Indeed, since then, it has been rare that a four-year term is completed, with the diet typically being dissolved three-to-four years after a general election, although cases have existed where it has occurred beforehand. Reportedly, the issue at hand which prompted this year's dissolution was over the military budget, with many in the Diet, Prime Minister Konishi included, wishing to see its temporary increase to 4.28% from the previous 3.1% set in April of 2022 become permanent, while others sought a reduction to 3.53%. Already, some have taken to referring to the 2023 dissolution as the "Military Spending dissolution", with it expected to be a key issue in the coming snap elections. Some suspect that the YFD will gain a solid majority in the Imperial Diet following these elections, coming off the heels of the Three Day war, however, some suspect that the Fusan Ishin no Kai could take a number of seats as well, owing to the recent YFD-Rikken Minshutō merger driving away some voters. Whatever the case may be, it is certain that the coming days will prove pivotal to Konishi's premiership.
Elections are scheduled to occur on the 28th of July, while registration to run in the elections will close on the 20th. The House of Peers will remain open throughout this period, as it is unaffected by the dissolution of the House of Representatives, however, it is expected that it will take on additional duties over the course of the next two weeks.
First Fighter-mounted Laser Weapon Delivered to Air Force
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Harunori Kōno
07/17/2023
The Imperial Daitōjin Air Force has received a high-energy laser weapon that can be carried by aircraft in a podded form. The news came today as Zayasu Heavy Industries confirmed that at least one of the weapons, which it has developed, has been delivered to the Air Force for testing. This effort falls within the wider framework of ever-evolving plans to have laser-equipped jet fighters that can engage enemy missiles and other potential targets. Dubbed the JG1202 "Viper", the system was specifically delivered to the Air Force Research Laboratory (Kūgun kenkyūjo), which is tasked with the development and integration of new technologies in the air, space, and cyberspace realms. An executive at Zayasu Heavy Industries, Haruo Itakura, was quoted as saying, in a conference held in Awara in 2022, that Viper "is the smallest and lightest high-energy laser of its power class that Zayasu has built thus far", adding that it was "one-sixth the size" of previous directed-energy weapon systems that the company had produced for the Army. That laser, produced under the Army's Robust Laser Initiative (RLI), had an output in the 60-kilowatt class. While no firm figures have been published, it has been suggested that Viper is likely to produce less than 100 kilowatts.
As well as being small and light, Viper has reduced power requirements compared to previous systems, which is a key consideration for a fighter-based laser, especially one which can be mounted within the confines of a pod. If it is successful in its defensive mission, it is possible that Viper could go on to inform the development of more offensive-oriented weapons systems, including ones that could engage enemy aircraft and drones at longer ranges than would be the case when targeting an incoming anti-aircraft missile, whether it be launched from the air or the ground. It is worth noting that, while its delivery marks the first time a fighter-based laser weapons system has been delivered to the Imperial Air Force, it will not enter active military service, instead being a testbed for future technologies and systems. Viper is expected to begin testing later this year.
4K Space Station Tour Reveals Its Size, Legacy
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Heisuke Nakamura
07/17/2023
Ūchunaut Arihiro Royama shared a fascinating 4K video tour of the interior of Space Station Zenshoen earlier today. The 25-minute video, which was broadcast live via NASDA's website and on YHK BS4K, highlighted the huge size of the orbiting outpost, which has been hosting crews since 2004. The 48-year old ūchunaut, Royama, arrived on the station earlier this month while commanding the first crewed orbital flight test of the UHS Block III spaceplane, dubbed "Shunkai" for the late-16th century Ōnishi astronomer, guided viewers through the station's many modules and even made stops onboard both NASDA's Sojourner reusable nuclear shuttle, which has been used recently to transport crews to lunar orbit and back, and the UHS spaceplane which will take him and his crewmate, Hisaki Yonezawa, back on the 24th of July. He also included one of the Personnel Launch Systems (PLS) which was being kept aboard the station as a lifeboat for current crew, which numbers eight at present and includes foreign crew members from the Allied States of Ardia and Toshikawa.
According to NASDA's website, the station's length is nearly 46.9 meters from end to end, while its width is close to 109 meters. The agency describes the facility’s living and working area as being "practically the size of a mansion", multiple sleeping quarters, several bathrooms, a gym, and a 360-degree view bay window called the Cupola from which the crew can survey the exterior of the space station and also capture amazing images of Mundus. Royama has shown himself to have a particularly keen eye when it comes to Mundus photography, with the ūchunaut regularly posting pictures of our planet from 402 kilometers up. Throughout his time on the station, both this year and in previous missions, he has been active in posting videos in which he talks in more detail about particular modules, including the station's cavernous habitat module, which was previously a Liquid Oxygen tank that was converted in orbit, and the inflatable tubes found in the former inter-tank, which allow for access to various points around the station. He also shared much about its history, placing great emphasis on all that has been learned aboard the station and advocating for continued commitment to it as Daitō looks beyond Low Mundus Orbit. Despite what some have claimed, Daitō has no plans to fully replace Zenshoen, with NASDA instead planning on maintaining the station while providing launch services for commercial stations alongside TransOrbital Solutions, including an inflatable space station being planned by Aizawa-Shinoda which is designed in a similar vein to the station operated by the CNN.
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"Shunkai" Returns to Mundus
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Heisuke Nakamura
07/24/2023
NASDA's Shunkai UHS orbiter has successfully returned to Mundus after the successful completion of its first crewed orbital flight test. Crewed by ūchunauts Arihiro Royama and Hisaki Yonezawa, the spacecraft, which lifted off on the 7th of July, spent two weeks in orbit docked to Zenshoen, where the crew briefly joined Expedition 58, which is set to return to Mundus in October. NASDA Director Jiro Asagiri hailed the mission's success, claiming that it "marked the beginning of a new era in space exploration" as for the first time, a fully reusable spacecraft had entered service. In the future, the UHS Block III, which differs heavily from the Block I and II-types due to its shape, will be used to ferry larger and larger crews into orbit and act as a temporary space station through a similar module, as well as supporting a variety of mission-specific payload bays and outsized cargo. Nonetheless, after an inspection of the spacecraft is made, it is anticipated that the vehicle, alongside the others in the fleet currently in production, will begin regular flights in the next few months. There is also talk that the launch service provider, TransOrbital Solutions, will consider operating their own fleet of UHS Block III vehicles for commercial use, however, that is still unconfirmed.
Awara Hosts for Tenjin Matsuri Festival
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Fusako Arishima
07/24/2023
As often can be seen across Daitō, regions of the country frequently hold a variety of festivals to celebrate particular events and customs. Awara is no different, as today and tomorrow, it is holding its famed Tenjin Matsuri festival, which is a festival of the local Tenmangu Shrine and honors its principle deity, Sugawara Michizane, better known as Tenjin, who is the deity of scholarship in the Teidō faith. The festival, which began in the 10th century, was originally hosted in just Okayama, far to the west on the shores of the Mutsu, but since the 1870s, it has also been held in Awara by the Tenmangu Shrine, which is a branch of the shrine in Okayama. The main celebrations are to be held tomorrow and include a land procession and a river procession with fireworks. The festival begins by ceremonially inviting the deity out of the shrine and parading him through the city, carrying out various exuberant festivities to entertain him, before taking him back to the shrine. For the people, the lively festivities manifest in a wonderful occasion to enjoy the hot summer day, filled with traditional costumes, spectacular processions and a celebratory atmosphere.
Today, the festival kicked off with a ritual at the shrine, followed by prayers at the river for peace and the safety and prosperity of Awara. Later in the afternoon, drums will be sounded by men in tall red hats to inform everyone that preparations for the festival are complete. Throughout the two days of the festival, the streets of the city see more activity than usual, however, highlights of the festival will start at 3:30 PM on the second day when the red-hatted drummers lead the land procession from Tenmangu Shrine through the streets of Awara. The long procession features costumed characters, including Sarutahiko, a long-nosed goblin riding a horse, a ceremonial float accompanied by festival music, lion dancers and umbrella dancers. About an hour into the procession, the convoy carrying the mikoshi, the ornate, gilded portable shrine that temporarily holds the spirit of Tenmangu Shrine's deity, leaves the shrine, preceded by a boy and a girl leading a sacred ox, Tenjin's messenger. After the procession arrives at the Kanda river at around 6:00 PM, its members and portable shrines are loaded onto boats to be paraded up and down the river. Besides the procession boats, there are some "stage boats" on which traditional noh and bunraku performances are performed for onlookers.
This procession will continue as celebrations go on into the night before culminating around 7:30 PM when fireworks start to go off, continuing until close to 9:00. Although not one of the most outstanding firework displays in Daitō, the fireworks of the Awara Tenjin Matsuri, combined with the illuminated boats and their reflections off the river, make for a truly unique spectacle. The mikoshi convoy disembarks at around 9:00 before making its way back to the shrine at 10:00 PM, marking the end of the year's festival. As has already been seen, many foreign tourists have made their way to Awara for the event, which typically marks a high-point for foreign tourism in the region, however, many domestic travelers are also in attendance.
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Awara Attacked — Search and Rescue Efforts Underway
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Hidehisa Takagi
07/25/2023
At 9:03 AM Shinkyō Standard Time (UTC +00:00), residents of Tochigi Province were ordered to take shelter after the Imperial Kyne Command detected a missile launch at a site somewhere in Kalasin. The missile, which is believed to have been launched at approximately 8:58 AM SST, traveled nearly 4,000 kilometers before landing at a location near Setagaya Square in Awara, where it detonated a thermobaric warhead shortly before impact. it is understood that the Imperial Armed Forces made every effort to intercept the weapon, however, questions still remain which will have to be answered in time. Due to the location where the attack occurred and the timing, owing to the presumably now-cancelled Tenjin Matsuri festival, we are anticipating a mass casualty event, with initial estimated fatalities already in the thousands. At the same time, hospitals in Awara and surrounding regions have reported being swamped by incoming patients, who are believed to number in the high thousands but are likely higher.
While no organization has yet to claim responsibility, owing to the civil war in Kalasin, some have speculated that a militant group allied with the separatist forces in the country may have gained access to an intermediate range ballistic missile and used it in the attack. However, it is worth noting that the complexity of such systems instead suggests a unit trained on the system fired it, which suggests direct involvement from the government in Pattani. That being the case, while further investigation is guaranteed to be pursued, already some believe the culprit to be clear.
It is anticipated that His Majesty, Emperor Eijirō, will address the nation and the world regarding the attacks at 7:00 PM SST, while an emergency session of the House of Peers has been invoked to respond to the crisis. In a statement issued by the Office of the Prime Minister, Sadazane Konishi said "The people of Daitō have, in this, their darkest hour, shown their best in responding to this cowardly attack. While we grieve those who have been lost, we must do everything in our power to help those still in need."
Search and rescue efforts are currently underway in Awara.
This is a developing story. YHK will continue to provide updates as more information arrives. May the gods preserve our nation.
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In the Shadow of Terror, Daitō Goes to the Polls
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Michiko Koyamatsu
07/28/2023
In an election held in the shadow of the attack on Awara, the Yamato Fukkatsu Dōmei-Komeito coalition secured 314 seats in the House of Representatives, expanding their already comfortable majority in the Lower House. The YFD alone won 283 seats, while the Komeito party won 31. Their largest opposition party, the Ishin party, won just 86 seats in comparison, while the six other parties won fewer seats. As a result of the election, the YFD-NKT coalition now holds a large enough majority in the Lower House to theoretically propose amendments to the constitution, however, it is still 26 seats away from a similar majority to do so in the House of Peers. As a result, such amendments would require negotiation on the part of the coalition, something which would undoubtedly still occur even with such a majority, but which would be less necessary nonetheless.
The mood at the YFD headquarters in Shinkyō, the atmosphere was somber, however, lacking the victorious mood typical for a winning party. As Prime Minister Sadazane Konishi appeared before the media late Friday night, YFD executives, all wearing dark ties and dresses, held a moment of silence for the victims of the Attack on Awara, which is now believed to have killed nearly 4,500 people, as well as those killed in Rokkenjima following yesterday's attack.
Even as Konishi placed pink flowers by the names of victorious candidates, there was no smile on his face.
"Violence threatened the electoral process, the very foundation of our democracy,” Konishi said. "I was determined to go through with this election at all costs.”
Following the sweeping win, Prime Minister Konishi does not need to go to the polls for another two years, giving him a free hand to advance his policy agenda. Yet as Daitō once again turns its eyes to the Mathilda Channels, some question whether the goals he had when he first assumed office nearly seven months ago will need to be pushed back or even cancelled, as talk of war permeates the national conversation. Nonetheless, with the successful resolution of the conflict over the Tokara Islands under his belt, as well as continued economic growth and now the fallout from the attack on Awara, some believe the victory on Friday may mark a new beginning for Konishi's administration. The convincing victory provides the prime minister with an improved mandate to govern both nationally and within his own party. Konishi now faces questions as to where he will direct his political capital: his party's "New Capitalism" initiatives aimed at the redistribution of wealth; diplomacy and national security; an expansion of affordable housing in the country; or toward inflation and other economic issues, which emerged as a key concern of many voters prior to the attacks. It is certain that some focus will have to be given to national security, now that the country has been attacked, but beyond that, it is uncertain to what degree he will focus on it in the next two years.
"I am determined to achieve results as part of our 'new capitalism' economic model, which is aimed primarily at further revitalizing the economy." Konishi said in an interview last week. "At the same time, I will take a step-by-step approach to continuing our work on diplomacy and national security."
At this time, as a majority of candidates arrived in Shinkyō in the last three days after it was announced that an emergency session of the Diet was to be held, both Houses of the Diet are currently in session to determine a response to the attack from Kalasin. Many have suggested that war may be declared, however, others have cautioned that a formal declaration of war could serve to legitimize the separatists in Kalasin as an independent state. Whatever the case may be, we will likely find out later today, as insiders have suggested that a majority of those within the institution have supported military action. If a decision is made, we will update you on the situation then.
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Emperor Addresses the Diet, Nation
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Yuichi Kurata
07/29/2023
His Majesty, Emperor Eijirō, addressed a joint session of the Imperial Diet yesterday evening in the aftermath on the attack in Awara on the 25th of July. At this time, he is presently on the way to Awara, where it is anticipated he will speak to rescue workers and visit a number of hospitals in the region. The full text of the Emperor's Address can be found below:
His Majesty, the Emperor's Address to the 351st Session of the Imperial Diet
28 July, 2683
Mr. Prime Minister, Mr. Speaker, Mr. President, Members of the Diet and fellow Daitōjin, I come before you at a time of great turmoil in our nation. In the normal course of events, I, like my predecessors, might've come to this chamber to merely convoke the Diet or to report the state of the Empire. Tonight, however, no such report is needed. It has been delivered by the Daitōjin people. We have seen it in the eyes of the first responders, who rushed onto the scene at great risk to their own lives for the sake of those who had been harmed in the attack on Awara. People like Harumitsu Takeno, a firefighter who would not leave the scene until everyone inside of the Kosaka tower in central Awara had been evacuated, a virtuous act which ultimately claimed his life. And I would like to request that you would please join me in welcoming his family here tonight.
We have seen the state of our Empire in the endurance of rescuers, working beyond the limits of exhaustion. We have seen it in the unfurling of flags and the lighting of candles, in the giving of blood and the saying of prayers in Ōnishi, Dalseomin, Ardian, English, and countless other tongues. We have seen the decency of a loving and giving people who have made the grief of strangers their own. Honored citizens, for the last three days, the entire world has seen for itself the state of our Empire, and it is strong. Tonight, we are a nation awakened to danger and called to defend our freedom. Even as we mourn, our grief has turned to anger, and anger to resolution. Whether we bring our enemies to justice, or bring justice to our enemies, justice will be done. I thank the Diet, especially the House of Peers, for its leadership at such an important time. All of Daitō was touched on the evening of the tragedy to see members of the Diet, regardless of political affiliation or certainty that they would be reelected, joined together on the steps of the Diet, singing "Flowers will Bloom." And you have done more than sing, delivering in record time nearly 文43 billion to rebuild Awara and meet the needs of our military.
Prime Minister Konishi, Speaker Kitabatake and President Hamano, I would like to thank you for your friendship, your leadership, and for your service to the country. And on the behalf of the Daitōjin people, I thank the world for its outpouring of support. Daitō will never forget the scenes of people donating blood and supplies across the globe, as well as the playing of the national anthem outside of landmarks around the world in solidarity with our nation in this darkest of hours. We will not forget the Ardian children gathering to pray outside our embassy in Cescedia, nor the prayers of sympathy offered in synagogues, churches, and mosques in Vanora. We shall not forget the people of Mersch, who, suffering from their own attacks on the same day, even still asked that aid be sent to us, though it was to their own detriment. We shall not forget the moments of silence and days of mourning in a great many countries across the globe. Nor will we forget the citizens of a great many countries who have died with our own.
On the 25th of July and now on the 28th, enemies of freedom committed an act of war against not only our nation, but against the free world as a whole. Our people have known wars, yet for the last seventy-eight years, they have been wars on foreign soil. We have known the casualties of war, even in the center of a great cities on a peaceful morning, but we had thought that threat ended. We have known surprise attacks, yet we thought, perhaps, that it would never occur on this scale again. The attack our nation has weathered has revived the specter of the Greater East Ardia War in the hearts of many. As night fell on the 25th, so too began a new world, one where our freedom itself was under attack.
An old enemy has reemerged, and now, it commands weapons which no single man should possess. We thought that the atomic age had been banished, but as we have seen from the horrific footage coming out of Rokkenjima, it too continues to linger beyond when we thought it had come to an end. As the remnants of the People's Armed Forces of Kalasin have shown, when the Ardian Empire dropped an atomic bomb on Hatsukaichi in August of 1945, they opened Pandora's box, and now, we must contend with growing threat of nuclear terrorism. If we refuse to act, it may only be a matter of time before they acquire far more terrible weapons than simply a crude radiological dispersion device. But they are not the only ones. The PAFK, led by Thaksin Prateung, is linked to many other organizations in different countries, and has historically been backed by the former communist bloc. While such funding has certainly dried up, which contributed to their defeat in 2017, these connections, which span the globe, must be investigated fully and severed. The leadership of the PAFK has considerable influence in Kalasin and supports the separatist regime there. In the separatist regions of Kalasin, we see the PAFK's vision for the world.
Kalasin's people were brutalized under the old regime, and with its declaration of "independence" from the Union state, they are brutalized once again. When I served, though I spent much of my time in the skies above the country, I saw for myself what they were capable of. Mass starvation of the common man, the wholesale slaughter of villages for harboring those who dared to believe that which ran contrary to the party line. Religion was banned, and now it is highly regulated to that which the ruling party deems appropriate. Already, we have seen a great many flee to neighboring countries and across the straits to Paechon, and they tell us of ongoing atrocities back home, perpetuated by the PAFK with the tacit approval and occasional support of regular forces. Even as we speak, the city of Ranong, formerly the seat of the Union government, is on the verge of falling to separatist forces, and Vax Republic is menaced by the PAFK and their allies.
Daitō respects the Kalasinese people, but we condemn the regime which has propped itself up there. It is not only repressing its own people, it is threatening people everywhere by sponsoring and sheltering and supplying terrorists. By aiding and abetting murder, they too are guilty of murder. On the 26th of July, we made the following demands of the Separatist forces in Kalasin: Deliver to Daitōjin authorities all of the leaders of the PAFK within the territory which you control. Release all foreign nationals, including Daitōjin citizens, who you have unjustly imprisoned. Protect foreign journalists, diplomats and aid workers in your country. Close every militant training camp in Kalasin, and hand over every terrorist, and everyone in their support structure, to appropriate authorities. Give Daitō access to these camps so that we may ensure that they no longer operate. We made these demands, irrespective of their current conflict with the Union government, without room for negotiation nor discussion. The government in Pattani was to act immediately or share in their fate. However, I must report to you that regrettably, the government in Kalasin has rejected our demands and furthermore facilitated the attack on Rokkenjima, and thus, a state of war now exists between us and the separatist government in Kalasin.
This war begins with the PAFK and the government of Kalasin, but make no mistake, it will not end there. It will not end until every terrorist group of global reach is found and destroyed. We have been forced to ask many difficult questions in the last few days. Why do they hate us? I can answer that easily. They hate what they see in this time-honored chamber—a democratically elected government. Their leaders are self-appointed. They hate our freedoms—our freedom of conscience, our freedom of speech, and our freedom to vote and assemble and disagree with each other. They seek to overthrow existing governments across the globe in pursuit of their "world revolution", which in truth is merely an insistence on total subservience to the state and a deprivation of free will in pursuit of a perverted sense of order. These terrorists kill not merely to end lives, but to disrupt and end a way of life. They will not stop until every form of opposition to them is crushed. They oppose us—they hate us—because stand in their way.
We will not be deceived by their pretenses of freedom, even as they oppress untold millions. We have seen their kind before. They are the heirs of the murderous ideologies of the 20th century. By sacrificing human life to serve their radical visions—by abandoning every value except the will to power—they follow in the path of absolutism and totalitarianism. And they will follow that path all the way to where it always ends: in history's unmarked grave of discarded lies.
I am, therefore, authorizing that all measures needed to quell this threat to the free world be undertaken. We will direct every resource at our command—every means of diplomacy, every tool of intelligence, every instrument of law enforcement, every financial influence, and every necessary weapon of war—to the disruption of this threat to global stability. We will not fail in this righteous crusade, knowing well that our cause is just. We ask those that are willing to join with us in this fight, for if, by any chance, we do fail, the consequences will be so dire that the world may never recover. If these acts of terror go unpunished, it will only be a matter of time before cities beyond East Ardia come under threat and before citizens around the world are slaughtered. Terror, if left unanswered, can destabilize and tear down governments, plunging more nations into war. We stand at the precipice of a new era, and now, we have the chance to shape it. Let us ensure that our progeny must not grow up in a world dictated by those who would do them harm.
I ask that you continue to pray for the victims and their families, no matter which country they originate from. Pray for those in uniform and for our great country. Pray for those who are oppressed, both in Kalasin and around the world, so that they may know freedom. Pray for the world, that it may, in time, know peace. Prayer has comforted us in sorrow, and will help strengthen us for the journey ahead.
Great harm has been done to us, and we have suffered a terrible loss. And in our grief and anger we have found our mission and our moment. Freedom and fear are at war. The advance of human freedom—the great achievement of our age and the great hope of every time—now depends on everyone around the world working together for that most noble cause. This generation will lift a dark threat of violence from our people and our future. We will rally the world to this cause by our efforts, by our courage. We will not tire, we will not falter, and we will not fail. As we emerge into this era, we will not forget the fallen, but it is my hope that, in time, life will return almost to normal. We will go back to our lives and routines, even with the knowledge of how fragile freedom truly is. But our resolve must not pass. Each of us will remember what happened that day, and to whom it happened. We'll remember the moment the news came—where we were and what we were doing. Some will remember an image of a fire, or a story of rescue. Some will carry memories of a face and a voice gone forever.
I will not forget this wound to our country nor those who inflicted it. I will not yield, nor shall I rest. I will not relent in this struggle for the freedom and security of our people and for those around the world. The course of this conflict is not known, yet its outcome is certain. Freedom and fear, justice and cruelty, have always been at war, and we know that the gods are not neutral between them. We will face violence and meet it with patient justice and compassion for its victims. We will meet this challenge head on, assured of the righteousness of our cause and confident in the victories that will come. In all that lies before us, may the gods grant us wisdom, and may they watch over and protect the Empire of Daitō. Thank you.
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Armed Forces Deployed to Paechon
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Harunori Kōno
07/31/2023
The War Ministry has confirmed that the Imperial Daitōjin Armed Forces has been deployed to the Republic of Paechon, one of the three member-republics of the Union of Kalasin and Paechon, with the expressed purpose of defending the islands from a potential invasion by so-called "separatist" forces who are presently laying siege to the city of Ranong on the mainland. While there ostensibly to protect the island, many observers have noted that it may be possible that, as the Diet continues to debate a what specific actions should be taken against the separatist forces in Kalasin, this deployment could be preparation for an invasion of the country. After all, when the Kalasinese invaded Paechon in 2017, the southern half of the country was used in a similar fashion in the months prior to the liberation of the island. One can, therefore, infer that this is what it represents, as Paechon has historically been used by Daitō as a staging ground for military operations on the mainland. It is anticipated that the Armed Forces will call up their reservists to serve in what seems to some as an inevitable engagement with the separatists, although as some were called up earlier this year due to the Three Day War, the number of personnel who would be activated may be lower than previously anticipated. It has further been confirmed that the 1st Imperial Guard is among the units to be deployed, with the 301st Military Police Company taking over their duties in the homeland until their return.
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Daitōjin Superconductor Claims Spark Excitement, Skepticism
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Hajime Matsui
08/01/2023
Last week, a group of Daitōjin physicists made a startling claim. Through two separate papers which were uploaded to the ScholarGate preprint server, they claim to have created a material that will "open a new era for mankind". Dubbed "LK-99", which is a lead-based compound, these researchers claim to have created a room-temperature, ambient-pressure superconductor. Such a material, which is capable of conducting electricity without any resistance under normal conditions, might have major implications for energy generation and transmission, transport, computing, and many other areas of technology. The papers have sparked wild enthusiasm online as well as several efforts to replicate the work. However, at the same time, there are reports of disputes among the researchers as to whether or not the paper should've been published to begin with. But before we can move on, it is prudent to discuss what superconductors are.
When an electric current flows through a typical conductor, such as a copper wire, the electrons bump into atoms as they jostle along. As a result, the electrons lose some of their energy and the wire heats up. In a superconductor, by contrast, electrons move without any resistance. Superconducting wires can transmit electricity without losing energy, and superconducting magnets are powerful enough to levitate trains and contain the fierce plasmas found in fusion reactors. However, all known superconductors require very low temperatures or extremely high pressures. These restrictions make superconductors expensive and impractical for a great many applications. Several teams have claimed to detect room-temperature superconductivity in various substances in the past, yet none of the claims have withstood scrutiny. As a matter of fact, as recently as two weeks ago, a superconductivity paper by Paechonese physicist Si Dae-hyun was retracted amid suspicions of data fabrication. So while a room-temperature superconductor would be an amazing discovery, it is important to meet these new claims with some skepticism.
The Daitōjin researchers claim that LK-99 can be made in a baking process which combines the minerals lanarkite and copper phosphide. They say that the resulting material has presented two signs of superconductivity at normal air pressure and at temperatures up to 127 ℃: zero resistance and magnetic levitation. They propose a plausible theory of how LK-99 might display room-temperature superconductivity, but have not provided definite experimental evidence of it, and the data presented in the two ScholarGate papers appear inconclusive. One of the signatures of a superconductor is the Meissner effect, which causes it to levitate when placed above a magnet. In a video demonstration released earlier in the week, the researchers position a piece of LK-99 over a magnet. One edge of the flat disk of LK-99 rises, but the other edge appears to maintain contact with the magnet. It is normally expected that a superconductor would display full levitation and also "quantum locking", which would keep it in a fixed position relative to the magnet. In a charitable interpretation, the behavior seen in the video might be caused by imperfections in the sample, meaning that only part of it becomes superconductive. Therefore, it may be too early to say whether we have or have not been presented with compelling evidence for room-temperature superconductivity.
As it stands, all we really know about LK-99 comes from the two papers, which have yet to undergo peer review. Both papers present similar measurements, though the presentation is unconventional. However, there are some differences in the content, as well as the authorship, which doesn't inspire confidence. Some have noted, however, that the changes in authorship might be due to the requirements to win an award for their research, which could indicate the team's certainty that their material is the "real deal", as it were. So what happens now? The processes of science will swing into action. Experts will closely review the papers and researchers at other laboratories will attempt to reproduce the experiments described in the papers to see if they end up with a room-temperature superconductor. These crucial steps are necessary to establish the validity and reliability of claims surrounding LK-99. If the claims are validated and confirmed, it could mark one of the most groundbreaking advancements in physics and materials engineering in the last few decades, if not ever. However, until the research undergoes rigorous review and testing, it is wise to approach the claims with caution.
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"People's Armed Forces of Kalasin" Claims Responsibility for Attack on Awara
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Jūkichi Taguchi
08/02/2023
In a televised address, one Colonel Thaksin Prateung, believed to be the leader of a remnant group of the former People's Armed Forces of Kalasin, claimed responsibility for the recent attack on Awara last month. Prateung, aged 55, previously gained notoriety in 2018 as one of the men implicated in a plot to overthrow the newly-established republican government in his own country, however, all charges were dropped as the evidence for his involvement was ruled to have been gathered through illicit means. Colonel Prateung is known to be a fierce ideologue, holding to the same form of left-wing ideology which led to internationally recognized crimes against humanity, including mass killings and forced labor starting in 1998 following the failure of the Kalasinese Spring. Furthermore, in the years following the overthrow of the People's Republic, he became a fierce revanchist, calling for the "liquidation of Paechon" and the destruction of the Empire of Daitō.
Col. Prateung, in his address, stated that if "Foreign forces take so much as a step on Kalasinese soil and threaten its sovereignty, the PAFK will respond by raining down hellfire upon the decadent cities of the Occident." He did not, however, make mention of the recent attack in Rokkenjima, which saw a "dirty bomb" detonated outside of the Rosari Blood Bank of Pyrettania. Said attack has, however, been linked to a cell of PAFK remnants, though whether Prateung was merely biding his time before announcing involvement in it or it was done separately to the attack on Awara is, at present, uncertain. Likewise, it isn't clear as to whether the recent attack on the RNS Gleidhidh was the responsibility of the PAFK or a unit of the Kalasinese Army itself. Whatever the case may be, no matter who is responsible for these vile attacks, it remains certain that the separatist government in Kalasin bears some responsibility for, at a bare minimum, harboring these terrorists, if not aiding and abetting them.
"No Plans to Cancel Mission to Adora", says NASDA Chief
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Heisuke Nakamura
08/02/2023
Jiro Asagiri, the Director of the National Space Development Agency, confirmed that despite the conflict with Rokkenjima over the Tokara Islands earlier this year and the recent attacks, the agency has no plans of cancelling a pair of joint missions between Rokkenjiman and Daitōjin crews aboard Adora and Zenshoen, respectively. The sixty year old Director, who had previously overseen the development of Zenshoen from 1999 until its launch in 2004, had long avoided the topic, however, when pressed during an interview with Fukkei Science, he confirmed that the proposed pair of missions had neither been cancelled nor postponed, with the first instead being scheduled for no earlier than the 16th of August. When it is completed, it will mark the first time a Daitōjin vessel has docked with a foreign spacecraft since 1974, when Kyūden hosted a joint crew of Daitōjin and Rodinan spacefarers for just shy of a month. Perhaps now, more than ever, Daitō—and the world as a whole—needs this form of inspiration?
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Scientists Repeat Fusion Ignition Breakthrough
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Hajime Matsui
08/09/2023
Daitōjin scientists have achieved net energy gain in a fusion reaction for a second time since December of 2022, the Tadakatsu Ujihara Imperial Laboratory said on the 8th of August. Scientists at the Tsukishima-based lab repeated the fusion ignition breakthrough in an experiment in the Imperial Ignition Facility (IIF) on the 8th that produced a higher energy yield than in December, a Tadakatsu Ujihara spokesperson said. Final results are still being analyzed, the spokesperson added. Tadakatsu Ujihara achieved a net energy gain in a fusion experiment using lasers on the 16th of December, 2022. The scientists focused a laser on a target of fuel to fuse two light atoms into a denser one, releasing the energy. That experiment briefly achieved what is referred to as fusion ignition by generating 3.15 Mj of energy output after the laser delivered 2.05 Mj to the target, the Ministry of Energy said. In layman's terms, the produced more energy from fusion than the laser energy used to drive it, the ministry said.
The Energy Ministry called the experiment, quote, "a major scientific breakthrough decades in the making that will pave the way for advancements in national defense and the future of clean power." Scientists have known for about a century that fusion powers the sun and have pursued developing fusion on Mundus for decades. Such a breakthrough could one day help curb climate change if companies can scale up the technology to a commercial level in the coming decades.
Hokuriku Opens First Nuclear Power Station in 20 years
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Harunori Kōno
08/09/2023
The Hokuriku Electric Power Company (HEPCO) announced Wednesday that Unit 2 at the Maki Plant, northeast of Taiwa, has completed testing and is now in commercial operation following a four year delay. At its full output of 1,100 Mw, Unit 2 can power up to 500,000 homes and businesses. A number of other utilities in Hokurikudō are receiving the electricity, in addition to the nearly 2.8 million customers of HEPCO. It is anticipated that Units 3, 4 and 5 will enter service between late 2023 and early 2026, bringing the total capacity of the plant to roughly 5,500 Mw, making it the second largest nuclear plant in the country by capacity. Unit 1 entered service in 2002, however anti-nuclear protests in the region and cost overruns led to the remaining units being significantly delayed, with some suggesting for a while that expansion be halted and the station be phased out.
HEPCO's Maki plant is important because government officials and some utilities are seriously looking to nuclear power as a means alleviating climate change by generating electricity without burning natural gas, coal and oil. But most focus in Daitō is on smaller nuclear reactors, which advocates hope can be built without the cost and schedule overruns that have plagued Maki. Efforts are currently underway in Kinai Province to build a demonstrator of such a reactor, which, if successfully demonstrated, could change how we look at nuclear energy in its entirety. But even as talk of small modular reactors (SMRs), which promise to offer reduced construction times and costs, continues, many in the country have heralded the completion of Maki's Unit 2 as an important first step towards phasing out fossil fuels. The Daitōjin Government remains committed to its 2040 deadline on achieving the often-coveted status of net carbon neutrality.
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NASDA Launches Mission to Adora
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Heisuke Nakamura
08/18/2023
NASDA has followed up the success of the recent UHS-199 mission, which saw the first crewed flight of the UHS Block III spaceplane, with a second launch. This mission, UHS-200, carried a crew of four ūchunauts—Hidenori Gotō, Reina Suzuki, Kaito Uchida, and Hisataka Takagi—on a flight to the Rokkenjiman space station Adora, a mission which has, in the aftermath of the Three Day War and the attacks on Awara and Pyrettania, taken on a new meaning. Although a Daitōjin citizen, Hakaru Asakura, flew aboard the Rokkenjiman Hakken orbiter back in 2021, this mission marks the first time in history that a Daitōjin spacecraft will dock with a Rokkenjiman one, as well as the first time that a Daitōjin crew will have an extended stay aboard Adora. The crew is expected to remain aboard for two and a half weeks, after which point they are expected to return to Mundus. A source at NASDA noted that the spacecraft itself will act as a sort of temporary laboratory, with its pressurized module mounted at the top being equipped for such a role, similar to the UJS module carried aboard the Block I orbiter from the 80s to the early 2000s. The source further stated that NASDA was considering further cooperation with ISEA and other foreign space agencies, though they did not comment to what extent. It is expected that Shunkai will dock with Adora later this afternoon.
Bank of Fusan Authorized to Test Digital Mon
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Fuyu Hiraiwa
08/18/2023
The Bank of Fusan has been formally authorized by the Imperial Government to, with the cooperation of the government of Okayama, undertake a trial-run of a Central Bank Digital Currency, or CBDC. The currency, officially known as the Digital Mon and abbreviated as e-DTM, is, according to the bank's governor, Haruhiko Kato, intended to complement the Mon rather than replace it. The trial of the Digital Mon will last until the end of the year, at which point, the Bank of Fusan hopes to roll it out nationwide in order to combat the rise of cryptocurrencies as well as to enhance economic growth and ensure greater financial accountability, all while providing numerous benefits to the average citizen, including the potential elimination of transaction fees and ensuring support for the more than 5 million households nationwide who do not have a bank account.
The launch of e-DTM, according to Kato-san, is an opportunity to reassert the standards and values of Daitō and her allies. In constructing a digital currency platform, concepts such as preserving financial stability, the rule of law and privacy are policy considerations that can be built to varying degrees into the digital currency platform and its use and oversight. In a burgeoning atmosphere of cryptocurrencies and stablecoins, a central bank digital currency such as the Digital Mon offers stability by reducing market manipulation risk, counterparty risk, fraud and offering the consumer protections attached to the Daitōjin Mon. Clarity in the rule of law and regulatory environment that will accompany it will set it apart from the fraud, graft and autocratic decisions in other parts of the world that create and destroy value unpredictably. Regarding privacy, governments and private companies around the world have begun to merge big data, blockchain, digital payments, and artificial intelligence to produce significant amounts of meaningful information. The Digital Mon has the potential to support some private information, some information used to generate good public policy, and some that could be used for surveillance. Balancing the transparency inherent in Know Your Customer (KYC) and Anti-Money Laundering (AML) policies, which serve to preclude criminal behavior, with the right to privacy is an important task, which has led to the modernization of the existing Daitōjin regulatory and legal regime in order to best preserve the values of the status quo.
However, critics have pointed out that, even with efforts to ensure the privacy of financial transactions, the Digital Mon still requires intrusion by authorities in order to monitor for financial crimes, as well as to combat money laundering and the financing of terrorism. Such intrusions could, depending on the administration, be expanded to give the government an unprecedented ability to monitor its civilians and to punish those who may, in their eyes, be "opposed to the collective security of the state". Although Daitō implemented laws to target organizations which, in the eyes of the state, threaten its stability back in 2022, they allege that the full rollout of the Digital Mon would mark a sacrifice of freedom for security, although the Bank of Fusan's governor has stated that such punishments would run contrary to its mandate. Testing of the Digital Mon is expected to begin on the 1st of September as an opt-in service for residences of Okayama, with select businesses and services in and around the city already pledging to support the currency.
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Daitō's Q2 GDP Beats Forecasts
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Daizen Takahashi
08/24/2023
Daitō's economy has expanded at a much faster rate than previously forecast, as a surge in exports more than offset the fallout of the brief conflict with the First Empire of Rokkenjima. Gross domestic product grew at an annualized pace of 6% (1.5% q/q) in the April to June quarter, marking the strongest growth since 2018, Cabinet Office data showed on Monday. The figure exceeded economists' forecast of 2.5% growth. Net exports contributed 1.8% to the expansion versus consensus estimates of 0.9%. Monday's data adds to signs that the country's growth seen under the Heike administration is continuing, with the size of the economy growing to a record 文12.63 trillion ($11.74 trillion). The result was consistent with the views at the MDB, which recently raised its 2023 growth outlook for Daitō to 1.4%. Even so, there were some caveats to this strong result, as much of the growth came from external demand.
"I wouldn't say all is good when I look at the content. Only net exports beat estimates by a wide margin while consumption weakened to a degree, though even then, it isn't anything unexpected due to the war," said Hiroji Oya, head of FLI Research Institute in Okayama. "What I can say, however, is that I don't believe this will be a factor for major policy changes at the Bank of Fusan." Trade data showed that exports remained resilient over the course of the last quarter, led by auto shipments to the Ardian peninsula and Albion. It is unclear as to whether the boost in exports will be sustained, however, even as the country enjoys greater economic growth than was seen as recently as the mid-2010s. Rising numbers of inbound travelers, whose contribution is also factored into the net exports component of GDP, provided a boost to the economy as well. The results of the previous quarter come as welcome news to Prime Minister Konishi, who, although enjoying a strong approval rating following the attack on Awara, may capitalize on the results to further pursue his administration's agenda.
Could Traditional Buildings Provide Solution to the Housing Crisis?
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Michiko Koyamatsu
08/24/2023
Across the nation, a virtual renaissance in traditional architecture seems to be sprouting as communities fund the creation of affordable housing built to resemble the styles used in pre-Keiō era Daitō. Though appearing much like the Machiya one can find in cities such as Tenkyō and Takahagi as well as many smaller towns, these structures, given the name Shin Minka ("New Homes of the People"), make use of modern construction techniques in order to fit with modern building regulations. However, despite their appearance starting in 2008, for the last fifteen years such projects have gone largely without government support, even as house prices and rent has soared, caused in part by a steep drop in house-building following the 2004 Recession. However, the successes seen by programs to fund these projects by local governments have not gone unnoticed, with Prime Minister Konishi touring a new development in Urasoe just prior to the elections. The Prime Minister has been vocal in his support for the construction of affordable housing, believing it to be one of the greatest challenges facing the country today. But what benefits, beyond reducing the rate of homelessness in the country, would such developments have?
In 2017, two professors at the University of Saito calculated that if the Housing Crisis had not happened, the Empire's economy would be roughly 77% larger, or approximately 文18.48 trillion ($17.19 trillion) by that year. It is generally estimated that nearly 37.5% of all people living in poverty—nearly 18 million nationwide—would not be in poverty if they simply had cheaper rent or mortgages. It's a simple fact that the construction of new, affordable housing, whether by private companies or by the government, would have a positive impact not only on the economy, but on people's lives. And more than that, it would be good for the environment. This is demonstrated in major cities and smaller towns, where, due to zoning practices, it is possible to have housing and shops intermixed, pushing down the need for motorized transportation and thus lowering the carbon footprint of residents. However, in areas not hugging the coasts of the mainland, the opposite seems true, as the regions developed in the aftermath of the Great War often prove reliant on modes of transport such as the automobile, thus driving up costs.
Finally, the construction of more affordable housing would boost declining fertility rates, something which is seen across the developed world as a result of urbanization and industrialization. Daitō in particular saw its average fertility rate, which was once boosted through pro-natalist policies on the part of the Imperial government, fall to 1.6 in 2022. While not yet reaching a critical point, it is generally in the best interest of the country to prevent a future where the population is in decline, something which could be offset by more immigration such as was seen in the 2010s. However, this does not tackle the root cause of population decline, as when asked "How many children do you really want?", most women in Daitō answered around two or three, which is above the replacement rate. They often cited the cost of rent as a reason for not having more children, however. It is for these reasons, as well as many others, that the Daitōjin government has reason to encourage more construction, while the use of traditional styles would make it less likely that these homes are opposed by local Tonarigumi.
At present, the House of Representatives is debating a bill which would enable the government to once again construct affordable houses directly, with many in the ruling coalition voicing their support for the measure. It is generally expected that the bill will pass in the lower house before being sent to the House of Peers. If approved, new construction could begin by early November, while subsidies for private firms to construct them may enable construction to begin earlier.
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Archaeologists Make Significant Discovery in Tomb of the First Emperor
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Harukichi Yada
09/04/2023
When the excavation of the Kamiishizumisanzai Tomb in Tenkyō Prefecture was announced, there were many who thought that the risks to the site outweighed the benefits any discovery might bring. Today, however, in a statement to the press, Dr. Fumihiko Wakamisugi of Gakushūin University announced that those fears were unfounded, as a Kōfukō-type cadaver was discovered in what is believed to be the burial chamber of Emperor Tengyō. But what is a Kōfukō cadaver? Put simply, they are remains found in Kinai Province which date to roughly the 2nd century BCE that are extremely well preserved, to a point where it can be difficult at a glance to realize they are not just a few weeks old. Yet, as can be imagined, the body found is not from 2023, but rather, he died in 188 BCE. Dr. Wakamisugi stated that, owing to this simple fact, alongside its location and the coffin it was found in, his team has every reason to suspect that it has found the remains of Emperor Tengyō, whose body appears to be the best preserved example of a Kofukō-type cadaver. As of the present, the body is being transported to a second location where it is to be examined further, alongside samples of the fluid which it was found in.
The Team from Gakushūin did further confirmed that, though it was now long-since missing, there were traces of mercury found within the burial chamber, suggesting that the rumors of it once containing "rivers and seas of mercury" may have been factual at one time, however, further research into the matter will be necessary. At present, however, focus remains on the body discovered, as well as locating any records within the tomb which may cast new light on the earliest years of East Ardian history. It is anticipated that the results of any tests performed on the apparent body of the first Emperor will be published later in the month, at which time we will update you on them. Until then, we can only marvel at this discovery.
Government Protests Arrest, Sentencing of Daitōjin Citizen in Clysperis
Jūkichi Taguchi
09/04/2023
Following the announcement by state media in Clysperis that four foreign nationals, including a Daitōjin citizen, had been arrested and sentenced to death, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs formally lodged a protest with the Clysperi government. In its protest, the Ministry stated that the accused, one Aiko Odaka, a 36 year old native of Otsu, had been wrongfully arrested for the possession of illicit substances, in her case for the possession of cannabis. The substance, which is not illegal on a national level for medicinal use and in many provinces across the board, is prohibited in Clysperis, which has some of the strongest drug laws on the planet. Although her family confirmed that she had been prescribed the drug to help treat symptoms of her multiple sclerosis, they also stated that she had stopped using it a few months ago, long before she had ever set foot in the country. Instead, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has suggested that her arrest is merely symptomatic of growing anti-foreign sentiment within the Kingdom, while her sentencing, done before a kangaroo court, constitutes a miscarriage of justice which it has urged be reconsidered. The Ministry further alleges that the evidence against Aiko Odaka was flimsy, while any evidence which would prove her innocence was simply ignored for the sake of a narrative. Outrage as a result of the arrest has reached the floor of the Diet, with Representatives Sota Fueki (YFD, Ueno 2) and Eiji Asō (DP, Hidaka 1) both condemning the actions of the Clyserpi judiciary for their unjust actions.
Digital Mon Hits Critical Snag
Fuyu Hiraiwa
09/04/2023
Although there has been much coverage surrounding the rollout of the Digital Mon in Okayama, mostly due to recent statements out of the Rokkenjiman government indicating it would institute a blanket ban on all digital currencies within the country, recent reports coming out of the Bank of Fusan have indicated that the currency has experienced significant issues, though not on a technical side. Rather, many across the city have refused to use the currency, finding it unnecessary and ultimately useless, while others have filed lawsuits due to perceived violations of their civil liberties. Whether such concerns are founded or not, we cannot say, however, it is clear that there is significant backlash against the rollout which has led to some within the Bank of Fusan recommending the termination of the program. Instead, they have suggested that the Bank of Fusan divert the resources going towards e-DTM to projects such as "ImpNow", an instant payment infrastructure which is being developed by the Bank alongside the CBDC and which could simultaneously perform many of the requirements of e-DTM while costing less. It is anticipated that the Bank of Fusan could make a ruling on whether to continue the trial in Okayama or cancel it later this week.
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Typhoon Warning Issued For Amami Province, Kihoku and Hirosaki Prefectures
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Haruo Yokoyama
09/15/2023
The Fusan Meteorological Agency has issued a Typhoon warning for parts of Amami and parts of Yakumo, including coastal regions in Kihoku and Hirosaki prefecture. The warning was issued as Typhoon Kajiki, which formed two weeks ago in the Dauntel as a Tropical Depression before strengthening to a Typhoon late in the evening on Wednesday, the 13th of September, began to approach the Amami islands. The Typhoon is anticipated to make landfall in Yakushima early on Sunday morning before proceeding towards the coast of Yakumo, where it is expected to also affect parts of the Allied States of Ardia. Amami's Governor, Ryota Chinen, has declared a state of emergency as the Typhoon approaches the islands and has requested that the Imperial government issue an emergency disaster declaration. The declaration, according to Governor Chinen, will enable local authorities to deploy all necessary resources to deal with the effects of the storm. A similar declaration has been made by Governor Yoritaka Adachi in Yakumo Province.
Typhoon Kajiki is anticipated to bring with it up to 15 centimeters of rain, 128 km/h winds, and 6.5 meter seas in Yakumo Province, while Amami is forecast to receive 20 centimeters of rain, 153 km/h gusts of wind, and 7 meter high storm surges. There is a high chance of power outages in parts of the Amami islands, owing to heavy rains which have plagued the region for the last week. Other regions of the country can expect up to 6 centimeters of rain, with Tenkyo in particular forecast to receive 4.3 cm. As always, for those in affected regions, stay tuned to local broadcasters by way of television or radio. Ensure you have enough water and supplies to last a few days, and do not head outside your home until the all clear is given.
NASDA Launches Mission to Asteroid
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Heisuke Nakamura
09/15/2023
NASDA has launched a robotic mission to a Near-Mundus Asteroid, 641376 Takenaka, with the goal of capturing it and placing it into orbit around Luna. The mission, which is the first part of the so-called Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization (ARU) program, is targeting this asteroid in particular due to its size, being just 5.7 meters in diameter. However, the program as a whole is moreso planned to develop deep space exploration capabilities needed in preparation for a potential manned mission to Nergal or other locations throughout the solar system. It will also demonstrate planetary defense techniques ranging from directly grabbing an asteroid, as this mission will demonstrate, to employing gravity tractor techniques to move asteroids as will be demonstrated on future missions. Notably, though not the expressed aim of the program, it could also be used to demonstrate the mining of asteroids for resources useful on Mundus, which could provide a boon for any organization which seeks to exploit such resources. The ARU-R spacecraft, designated "Prosperity" by NASDA, will rendezvous with the asteroid in December before reaching Lunar orbit in March, where a crewed mission will be launched.
102nd FFA Emperor's Cup Quarter-Finals Conclude
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Haruto Ito
09/15/2023
The Quarter-finals of the 2023 FFA Emperor's Cup have come to a close with FC Awara trouncing the Shinkyō Tengu in an upset by way of a penalty shoot-out, scoring 2-3. This makes the team the final of four teams to reach the Semi-finals of this year's Emperors cup, which has proven to have some stiff competition by teams across the country. The other teams that will progress to the Semi-finals are Enojima Naval Academy's Navy Cadets, which defeated the Shibetsu Tigers by two points, Takanabe United, and the reigning champions, Kyūre FC, which aims to maintain its title from the previous year. The Semi-finals are planned to be held on the 8th of October, with Kyūre FC expected to go up against FC Awara, while the Navy Cadets will go face to face with Takanabe United. It has been widely reported that Emperor Eijirō personally attended the game between the Shibetsu Tigers and the Navy Cadets, which was held in Hatsukaichi, not far from the Enojima Naval Academy. In other sports news, Daitōjin athletes competing in the 2023 Mundus Games in Valtheim won the womens 400 meter race, adding a final gold medal to the Daitōjin team before the end of the games. While Daitō did not perform at nearly the same level as in previous years, many athletes who competed are looking forwards to the next games, while officials have suggested that the country may seek to host the upcoming Winter Games.
Researchers Confirm Kamiishizumisanzai Tomb Cadaver's Identity, Cause of Death
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Harukichi Yada
09/15/2023
Researchers at Gakushūin University, working alongside a team of specialists from Kunaishō Hospital in Shinkyō, have announced that they have, following an autopsy, confirmed beyond reasonable doubt the identity of the Kōfukō-type cadaver found in the Kamiishizumisanzai Tomb was indeed that of Emperor Tengyō. From a purely symbollic standpoint, the discovery is already impressive, as it allows modern Daitōjin citizens to give a face to the man who founded the Empire, especially now, as the country prepares to land troops in Kalasin following an intense air campaign. It further offers a glimpse into what life was like in ancient Daitō, more than two-thousand years divorced from the present. The researchers also stated that, as a result of the autopsy, they were able to determine the former Emperor's cause of death. While popular stories tell that, in pursuit of immortality, the Emperor died of mercury poisoning, the autopsy showed that his spine showed signs of tubercular decay and his lungs had significant damage, suggesting then that the Emperor died of tuberculosis, which lines up with reports that he had fallen severely ill shortly before his death. At present, the Imperial Household Ministry, as steward of all Imperial tombs and the contents within them, is debating how to handle the Emperor's remains, with some proposing that the body be placed on display at a museum in Tenkyō, where it can be kept in similar conditions to where it had previously been interred.
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Typhoon Kajiki Makes Landfall in Yakumo
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Haruo Yokoyama
09/19/2023
Typhoon Kajiki has made landfall near Saito, bringing with it heavy rains and winds, as well as 4.5 meter storm surges along the coast. The the impact of the Typhoon on the region is less than what was previously anticipated, as Kajiki weakened over the last two days to a severe tropical storm following its brief landfall in the Amami islands, where it left one person dead and three missing, as well as leaving fifteen-hundred people without power on the island of Uji. As a result of the typhoon, which is not expected to travel far inland thanks to the Ryohaku mountains disrupting the storm's circulation, heavy rainfall and flash flooding has been brought to parts of Yakumo and Kinai, with Mihara and Tenkyo receiving up 4.7 and 4.1 cm of rainfall, respectively. The Imperial Army has deployed units to assist in disaster relief efforts being spearheaded by the CDPC and the Yakumo Emergency Management Agency (YEMA), however it has stated that this deployment will not compromise its ongoing commitments in Kalasin. A state of emergency remains in place for Yakumo. YHK will keep those in the regions affected appraised of the situation as it continues to develop.
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New Ship to Join IHM Fleet
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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
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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
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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.
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Space Force Launches First Watchtower Satellites
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Harunori Kōno
10/31/2023
The Imperial Daitojin Space Force has partnered with Zayasu Heavy Industries to launch a pair of its "Watchtower" Hypersonic and Ballistic Tracking Space Sensor (HBTSS) satellites from Shirasu Space Force Base in Tsukishima. The satellites, which we briefly covered earlier in the year, were delayed from their scheduled launch in August as a result of the attack on Awara. Launched aboard a Dojin VI rocket at 8:19 AM, the spaceraft are now in a stable orbit and are undergoing deployment as a part of the nation's OPIR constellation. Per a statement issued by Saburō Yokomichi, the Chief of the Space Staff, the satellites, alongside their NG-OPIR relatives, play a key role in keeping the nation safe, allowing for attacks such as the one on Awara in July to be detected, tracked, and intercepted before impact. The first NG-OPIR satellites will be launched starting in early November, while the Daitojin navy intends to test its ability to intercept a Hypersonic Glide Vehicle (HGV) in early 2024, once the satellites are fully integrated into existing networks. The entire constellation will see expansion over the next few years, with several launches being scheduled for 2024 and 2025.
Navy, Kyure FC go Head to Head in Emperor's Cup Finals
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Haruto Ito
10/31/2023
In a hard-fought competition on the shores of the Mutsu sea, the Navy Cadets have gone up against the reigning champions of the FFA Emperor's Cup, Kyure FC, claiming the title of national champions ahead of the upcoming MFA World Cup. With a score of 1-1, neither team could secure a clear-cut victory, necessitating a penalty shootout which resulted in Kyure FC scoring three goals to the Cadets' 4. The head coach of the team, Akihiko Yokoyama, commended the opposing team, noting that while they did everything in their power to secure victory, through perseverance and skill, the Cadets snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. His counterpart at FC Kyure, Haruto Ishida, made sure to congratulate the new champions, however he also said that he intends to reverse their fortunes in 2024. For now, however, Daito looks forwards to the upcoming World Cup, set to be held in Abertone following an unsuccessful bid on the part of the Daitojin and Rokkenjiman governments.
Trial of Prince Hidehiko begins in Shinkyo
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Harukichi Yada
10/31/2023
Something the nation has never seen before began playing out in a Shinkyo courtroom Monday morning: a trial to determine whether a Prince of the Imperial Famly was guilty of conspiracy to commit regicide. Detained for questioning on the 5th of May following a statement issued before the Privy Council—a statement which he has since recanted—Prince Hidehiko, son of the late Emperor Antei and brother to His Majesty, the Emperor, disappeared from public life as the Shinkyo Metropolitan Police held him ahead of his trial. During that time, the Prince alleges that many efforts had been made to force him to sign a confession, however he refused, something which prosecutors indicate suggests his guilt. However, despite the certainty of the prosecution, many legal scholars have opined that the evidence is, at best, flimsy. Even Emperor Eijirō, the alleged victim, has indicated that he has concerns as to whether his brother is guilty of the crime, however, he is nonetheless expected to make an unprecedented appearance in court later this year as a witness for the prosecution.
In his opening statement, Shigeo Koike, the chief prosecutor, said his team would argue that, quote, "the attack on the Emperor constituted a coup d'état" and that Prince Hidehiko had engaged in a conspiracy to commit regicide. He noted that nobody, not even a member of the Imperial Court, was above the law, but rather that all are subservient to it, and that this trial would serve as a landmark case furthering that belief within the country. Mr. Koike ran through the familiar chain of events leading up to the 6/10 attacks, noting that the former Crown Prince had refused to attend the speech held that day in commemoration of the dismantling of the last nuclear weapons on Mundus, as well as highlighting his relationship with Sachio Heike, the mastermind of the conspiracy.
A lawyer for Prince Hidehiko, Keisuke Yoshida, said that his team would argue that "engaging" in a conspiracy required more than to merely be friends with Sachio Heike and support his political beliefs. They further intend to argue that the prince was only made aware of the conspiracy days prior to his statement, intending to use his supposed confession in order to expose those members of the highest echelons of the government as members. He said that Prince Hidehiko's refusal to sign a confession while in police detention did not indicate guilt, further noting that the use of said confessions as a form of definitive evidence merely existed to maintain the country's high conviction rate. This, of course, is incorrect in the eyes of not merely many legal experts in the country, but the general public, which has long celebrated the country's effective judicial system.
If convicted, Prince Hidehiko faces at minimum heavy fines and ten years behind bars, however prosecutors have noted that under the penal code, he could face life imprisonment. The trial is expected to continue until the end of November.
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Hisayoshi Kitabatake, Speaker of the House, Announces Resignation
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Yuichi Kurata
11/5/2023
It had been a seemingly normal day in the Imperial Diet when, at 8:36 PM, just prior to the House of Representatives adjourning for the day, Speaker Hisayoshi Kitabatake made one final address. In it, he thanked the members of the diet for their hard work as the country got back onto its feet following the attack in Awara as well as the subsequent conflict in Kalasin before announcing that he planned to resign the office of Speaker and not stand for reelection in 2024. Kitabatake, aged 62, has served in the Diet since 1994, representing Tochigi Prefecture's second district. During his tenure, he also served as the Minister of Home Affairs under Prime Minister Obuchi from 2004 until 2007, losing that position after Prime Minister Sōsuke Mori's surprise comeback in 2009. He was then elected as Speaker of the House in 2011, after Junpei Tsuji, his predecessor, lost a motion to vacate initiated by several members within his own party. Speaker Kitabatake then served in the office until 2017 before bein reelected in 2020. As of the present, he has served for more than eight years, making him the second longest-serving Speaker in the country's history. However, even so, he has long been expected to withdraw from politics following his diagnosis with lung cancer in 2021.
The only question which remains is who will take over his position. Although constitutionally required to serve as Speaker until a successor is elected, it is clear that there are few within the YFD who command the same level of respect as the outgoing Speaker. Some names within the party which have been tossed around include Jōshū's Junpei Akino, Kiyosato's Aiko Fukagawa, and Okawa's Hiroaki Ryo. Of course, it is also entirely possible that someone within the ruling YFD-Komei coalition could take the position, with some suggesting that Makoto Yagami, the leader of the Komei party, be elected to the position, however in practice, the Speaker of the House has always belonged to the party which holds the most seats, that being the YFD in this case.
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Hiroaki Ryo Elected Speaker
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Yuichi Kurata
11/11/2023
In a vote of 237 to 223, the House of Representatives has voted to elect Hiroaki Ryo, the Representative from Okawa Prefecture's second district, as the new Speaker of the House following Hisayoshi Kitabatake's resignation. Two representatives, the honorable Daisaku Hashimoto of Fukui and Akemi Misaki of Kiyosato, were absent during the vote and thus could not vote, while three others—Itsuko Narita, Eiji Aramaki, and Giichi Hamuro—voted present. With this vote, Ryo has climbed his way to the top position within the House, becoming the first native of Tsukishima and the first person of Dalseomin descent to become Speaker of the House. During a speech he delivered after the election, he praised the members of the House of Representatives for their continued commitment to the constitution and to the democratic principles enshrined therein while also touching on the war in Kalasin. Prime Minister Konishi has reportedly reached out to congratulate the new speaker, however the details of their conversation have not been made public.
The House of Representatives is expected to vote on a bill to allocate an additional $18 billion in humanitarian aid for allied-occupied territories within the mainland part of the Union of Kalasin. This bill, which enjoys broad support from across the political spectrum, has been held up since the outgoing speaker's resignation alongside a number of other bills. The vote will be held on the 13th of November when the Diet is back in session.
Emperor Commemorates Armistice Day in Hatsukaichi
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Harukichi Yada
11/11/2023
Across the Empire, a moment of silence was observed as the nation commemorated the 78th anniversary of the end of the Greater East Ardia War. The conflict, which lasted from 1939 until 1945, was responsible for the deaths of anywhere between 3.38 and 4.19 million people across Daito, as well as plunging the nation into near-famine conditions towards the end. Exact figures for Ardian losses during the conflict are difficult to come across, however it is generally estimated that a similar proportion of their population was killed in the fighting, which only came to an end following the first—and thus far only—nuclear exchange in the history of the world. Hatsukaichi, a port city on the eastern coast of the Mutsu Inland Sea, was the first target in said exchange, with the blast and resulting firestorm killing between eighty and ninety-thousand people, while total deaths, when factoring in deaths caused by acute radiation syndrome (ARS) and various other conditions, are generaly estimated to be as high as 146,000. In the aftermath of the bombing, in 1954 a memorial, the Hatsukaichi Peace Memorial, was erected near the hypocenter of the blast, its centerpiece being the ruins of the Hatsukaichi Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall, now more commonly referred to as the "A-Bomb Dome" or "Genbaku Dome", an eternal flame burning in memory of those who died.
His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Eijirō, graced the Memorial on the morning of the 11th, offering tribute to the fallen as he had on the anniversary of the bombing while speaking on recent events. During his speech, he said, quote, "...We owe it to those who died as a result of bombing here, as well as those slain in Achkaerin's bombing in Ardia, to ensure that the threat of nuclear annihilation be forever banished from this good earth. Though we thought that such accursed weapons had finally been completely eliminated in 2021, we have been shown not even six months ago, following the attack on Pyrettania, that though the threat has faded, it will likely never fully disappear. Pandora's box was opened on the 5th of August, 1945, and the simple truth is that it is folly to imagine that we could go back to a state similar to that prior to that black day. No, the threat of nuclear proliferation is still real, though perhaps not by state actors, not in the foreseable future anyways, but by those with the means and the motive to commit wholesale slaughter on a massive scale..."
Following his visit to the Peace Memorial, Emperor Eijirō paid a visit to the Naval Academy on the island of Nomijima before making his way to the Mihara Shrine, where he attended and indeed participated in a service at the island shrine. Thereafter, he retired for the day, spending the afternoon and evening in the company of his grandfather, the Emperor-Emeritus, at his home on the island. His Imperial Majesty is expected to return to Shinkyo by way of the Grand Canal on Monday.
NASDA Prepares to Launch Lunar Station
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Heisuke Nakamura
11/11/2023
NASDA is preparing to embark on the next major step of its exploration of our nearest celestial neighbor as it mounts the Akasaki core module of the Deep Space Platform to its Tenjin VII Superheavy Launch Vehicle at Kintei Space Center in Tsukishima. The module, set to be launched in mid-to-late November, is the largest to be launched by NASDA since the 1970s, when the Kyūden space station was launched into Low Mundus Orbit. It is equipped with a pair of circular solar arrays as well as a robotic arm and will serve as the primary habitat for crews visiting the station. Unlike some early proposals, the DSP will be placed into a near-rectilinear halo orbit (NRHO) around Luna, which will provide access to the lunar surface while reducing the artificial thrust required for station-keeping. The station will be visited by a crew of four ūchunauts in early December, who will spend a few weeks outfitting the station before returning to Mundus. Until the launch of its second module, the DSP will only be capable of hosting a single crew at a time alongside a lander, and so, as result, NASDA has elected to temporarily suspend landings on the lunar surface until the launch of the Exploration Augmentation Module (EAM) in 2024.
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Military Responding to "Emergency" In Kalasin
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Jūkichi Taguchi
11/18/2023
In a statement issued by the Ministry of War, Okimoto Esashi informed the nation—and indeed the entire world—that personnel belonging to the Army and Naval Landing Corps were responding to, quote, an "emergency of a significant magnitude" near the town of Aleywa in Phichit Province, Kalasin. Per the statement, soldiers belonging to the 11th Infantry Brigade entered the town of Aleywa at 4:30 AM on the morning of the 17th of November, clearing the town of any hostile presence over the next few hours. During that time, soldiers belonging to the 1st Infantry Battalion were tasked with investigating rumors of a Kalasinese refugee camp approximately eight kilometers to the northeast of the city, believing it to be cover for a PAFK training camp. Unfortunately, we have the task of informing the world that this camp was not a training camp, but rather, something far worse. Words can scarcely cover the horrors that were uncovered in what local officials called "Holding Camp No.5", but which soldiers who have been interviewed have varyingly called a "rape camp" or an "extermination camp". For the sake of our readers, however, the images of this camp, as well as its "sister camp" located nearby, will not be displayed in this article.
Thus far, the discovery of the camps near Aleywa have reportedly caused the ongoing offensive in Phichit province to come to a temporary halt as Daitōjin forces have moved to provide whatever assistance they can for the victims of the camps. According to records recovered from offices in the camps, anywhere between 13,000 and 20,000 individuals were being held at the camp at any given time, however, by the time that the "holding camps" were liberated, according to preliminary headcounts, just three thousand people were left in the camps, with the rest currently being unaccounted for. There is some hope at this time that many escaped, however, someone familiar with the situation has stated that it is likely that casualty figures are going to rise in the next few days, both due to recently liberated survivors dying due to poor health and due to the discovery of mass graves near the site. Another source noted that the camp's commander, one "Wittaya Sriroj", had been captured, while they noted that the situation at Aleywa is being investigated as an act of genocide by the proper authorities. With this grim situation being uncovered, we will keep our readers updated on the situation as it evolves, but we ask, now more than ever, that those who read this article pray for the survivors.
NASDA Launches Space Station
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Heisuke Nakamura
11/18/2023
Roaring into the sky early this morning, the mighty Tenjin VII rocket has placed the first module of the Deep Space Platform on a trajectory that will take it into a near-rectilinear halo orbit around the moon. The DSP, as has been touched upon several times in the last few months, will serve as an outpost for ūchunauts who will perform extensive missions on the lunar surface, where they will perform experiments and tend to autonomous ground equipment operated by NASDA and international partners. When brought into operation, the station, which will have a maximum capacity of eight upon completion, is set to be made open to various nations who have historically cooperated with the agency, most notably the Achkaerinese Space Agency and the Rokkenjiman Imperial Space Exploration Agency. The first crew, made up of four ūchunauts, is now officially set to launch as early as the 6th of December, 2023, however the crew will not spend any time on the surface, instead devoting their time to making the station itself operational and running experiments aboard it.
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"Not Guilty" Judge Rules in Prince Hidehiko Case
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Harukichi Yada
11/23/2023
In a surprise ruling many across the Empire, Prince Hidehiko has been acquitted on all charges by a panel of lay judges, who voted five to one in favor of the verdict. In an opinion published by Haruhiko Nagai, the professional judge presiding over the case, he stated that the charges levied against the Prince were not adequately supported by evidence, much of which was deemed circumstantial on the part of the Prosecution. Although the Prince, now legally a free man, has been acquitted of all charges, it is likely that the reputation he has earned over the last year will continue to haunt him for some time, while many across the country have begun to spread rumors that he may have been hired by the Special Higher Police in order to infiltrate Sachio Heike's inner circle. For his part, Emperor Eijirō has reportedly welcomed the news about his brother's acquittal, reaffirming his belief that the Prince was innocent. Despite this, Prince Hidehiko, having spent half a year in jail while awaiting his trial, is unlikely to return to his normal duties within the Imperial Family for some time, seeking instead the opportunity to recover from the ordeal.
Army Enters Ranong
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Jūkichi Taguchi
11/23/2023
Forces belonging to the Imperial Daitōjin Army's 4th Armored Division and 2nd Infantry Division alongside members of the NLC's 3rd Regimental Combat Team have entered the outskirts of the city of Ranong, a spokesperson for Minister Okimoto Esashi's office disclosed in a statement issued earlier today. The force, numbering approximately 30,000 personnel in total, arrived on the outskirts of the city early in the morning of Tuesday, the 21st of November before successfully cutting the city off by the end of the day. Evacuation corridors were established the same day, with civilians in the city being asked to flee the city ahead of the now-ongoing Battle of Ranong. In the statement, the spokesperson noted that the city's defenders include roughly 26,000 regulars mostly belonging to the country's 1st Infantry Division, alongside anywhere between 4,000 and 7,500 insurgents belonging to the PAFK and other aligned groups. Fighting in the city has reportedly been intense, with Daitōjin forces taking "comparatively high" casualties as opposed to the Battle of Songkhla, wherein the city's scant few defenders killed three and wounded 16. Although the battle is expected to go on for some time, we will continue to update you as it progresses.
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Shinzō Koizumi, Former Prime Minister, Dead at 87
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Genzō Miyagawa
12/11/2023
Shinzō Koizumi, the 25th Prime Minister of Daitō, died on Monday in his Shinkyō home at the age of 87. Koizumi, a career politician who was first elected to the House of Representatives in 1967, formally retired from politics following in 2009, citing his advanced age. However, the former Prime Minister, throughout the years following his premiership, served in an advisory role to every Prime Minister that followed him, save perhaps for Hirotaka Seiji, whom had long feuded with the former Prime Minister over domestic policy. However, Prime Minister Koizumi is most well-known for his actions during the Second Great Patriotic War, when he successfully advocated for the shipment of arms to the Royalist forces through the nation's western-most provinces. Although he would not remain in power long enough to see the war come to a close, he continued, even after the war, to push for closer diplomatic ties with the newly-established First Empire.
"Shinzō Koizumi, soldier, career politician, and Prime Minister of the Empire of Fusan, died on December 12, 2023. He was 87 and is survived by four children and their spouses, eleven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and his younger brother," the former Prime Minister's office said in a statement. "He was preceded in death by his wife of sixty-six years, Kayoko Koizumi, and two siblings, Yuriko Miura and Fumio Koizumi."
Prime Minister Konishi and Emperor Eijirō have reportedly offered their condolences to Shinzō Koizumi's family, with the former also announcing that Friday, the 15th of December, will be designated as a National Day of Mourning, adding that he and his wife will be attending the former Prime Minister's funeral later this month. Prime Minister Koizumi will lay in state in the Imperial Diet Building from the 14th until the seventeenth, during which time the public will be allowed to visit and pay homage to the recently departed.
Temperatures to Drop across Daitō
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Heisuke Nakamura
12/11/2023
Winter has come early to Daitō as temperatures across the country continue to drop, bringing with it light snow to parts of the country as far north as Ishikari. Meteorologists belonging to the Fusan Meteorological Agency predict that this month could be on track to be the coldest December in nearly twenty years, with early predictions suggesting parts of Hirosaki Prefecture could reach as low as -13.4°C by the 21st of December. The Agency is also watching a series of weather patterns, including an Antarctic High Pressure system—a "dip" in the jet stream—which is beginning to settle south of the Ardian Peninsula. Likewise, it has been noted that the subtropical jet is extended far further north than usual, reaching only to roughly the northern border of Rokkenjima. Some at the FMA have expressed concern that these phenomena could result in the formation of a "significant" extratropical cyclone in the coming weeks, and as a result, the agency has issued a winter weather advisory across large parts of the country until this time next week.
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Daitōjin Cities Gripped by Record Snowfall
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Heisuke Nakamura
12/16/2023
Daitō suffered a spectacular blizzard late last week, during which time more than 1,000 vehicles became trapped on a single highway for two days. More than two meters were recorded falling over the city of Higashiomi over the course of the last three days, setting an all-time record for snow depth in the city, while Shinkyo and Otsu reported 1.6 meters of snowfall over the same period. Many neighbouring locations also saw record-breaking depths. Local authorities were forced to distribute blankets and food to stranded motorists, with many still stuck as the weekend rolls in. More than 20,000 homes were also left without power across the country as a result of the storm. Unfortunately, authorities in several prefectures have confirmed that at least nineteen people have been killed as a result of the blizzard, while 97 others have been injured due to a variety of factors ranging from frostbite to whiteout-induced traffic accidents. The scope of the winter storm has been unprecedented, with some parts of the country reporting three times their average snowfall for the season. Officials have urged that people in affected regions remain home, calling the storms a "very dangerous life-threatening situation".
Arasaka Working on a Hinode-powered AI called "Kaibyo"
Fuyu Hiraiwa
12/16/2023
Tech giants around the world are diving into the AI game, with Arasaka, Abstergo, and many others flexing their digital muscles to outdo each other. Although overshadowed by the announcement of Abstergo's Lexa AI assistant, Arasaka unleashed Hinode, its latest and most powerful large language model, rocking multimodal skills and promising to outshine anything we've seen before. Hinode was immediately made available in some form on Issie—the company's PaLM-based chatbot—and the Horizon 11 Pro, and it will soon integrate with other Arasaka products. Now, a report says that the company plans to harness Hinode's power to create Kaibyo, a virtual assistant with more tricks up its sleeve than your usual Arasaka Assistant. Sure, Arasaka Assistant reigns supreme for Sakura users, showing other digital assistants how it's done, but the Shinkyo Reporter claims that Arasaka is developing a new AI assistant called Kaibyo, a Sakura-exclusive assistant aiming to tackle situations where Arasaka Assistant falls short.
According to the report, which cites unnamed sources privy to the matter, the AI assistant could make its way to Konoha OS as well as its mobile variant on the Horizon 12 and 12 Pro in the coming year. This is consistent with Arasaka's promise to improve the user experience with some AI-powered tricks. Kaibyo is supposed to rock all the usual skills of Assistant, but dropping some new tricks that the existing AI can't match. It would supposedly bring Hinode Nano into the mix, the same powerhouse that's already running on the Horizon 11 Pro. This slimmed-down version of Hinode runs natively on Horizon devices and doesn't need an internet connection to do things like summarize recordings or fire off instant replies. If this is accurate, it looks like Kaibyo just might outshine Arasaka Assistant.
The upcoming AI is not stopping at just being a snazzy assistant. The report claims that Kaibyo will be diving into your digital life, mining data from your Dmail and Maps activities to learn your preferences. The sources didn't give many details, but they did mention there's a rush to introduce Kaibyo to the more budget-friendly Horizon A-series and even the Horizon Watch in the future. Arasaka is also said to be developing futuristic glasses that can identify whatever catches your eye using AI. And if you need help with a math problem or figuring out which end of the hammer to use, these glasses will presumably give you advice.
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One Year into Premiership, Konishi's Popularity Soars to Record High
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Yuichi Kurata
12/28/2023
Prime Minister Sadazane Konishi's job approval rating reached 78.3% this week, marking the fifth month that his approval rating passed 70% this year. During the latest polls, the War in Kalasin came to a close, while a number of infrastructure bills were passed by the Diet and Prince Hidehiko returned to his position in the House of Peers. It seems clear that the impact of the 25th of July attack on Awara, which provided a significant boost to the Prime Minister's then-relatively poor (44.7%) approval rating from June, as well as the successful execution of the War in Kalasin has done much to boost his job approval, with many other members of the ruling YFD likewise seeing higher approval ratings than before the war. While rank-in-file Democratic Party supporters' ratings of Konishi have remained lower, hovering at around 55% since October, members of the other parties have been far more variable. Approval among YFD members is presently 82%, up slightly from last month's 79.1%.
With the general elections not scheduled to be held until the 31st of October, 2025, Konishi and his faction within the YFD seems to be secure going into the new year, especially with the election of Hiroaki Ryo—a political ally of the Konishi government—as Speaker of the House in November and a tightened hold on the Diet following July's snap elections, which may permit the current Prime Minister, if trends hold, to better pursue his agenda for 2024, whatever that may be. The Diet remains out of session until the 24th of January.
Daitojin Economy Gained Rapid Speed; Best Growth Since 2005
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Daizen Takahashi
12/28/2023
Daitojin economic growth accelerated in the fourth quarter as businesses replenished depleted inventories to meet strong demand for goods, helping the nation to post its best performance since the aftermath of the 2004 East Ardian Financial Crisis. Gross domestic product increased at a quarterly rate of 4.8%, the Ministry of Commerce and Industry said in its advance GDP estimate on Wednesday. That followed a 2.5% growth pace in the third quarter. Economists polled by YHK had forecast GDP growth rising at a 4.3% rate. Estimates ranged from as low as 3.1% to as high as a 6.4% rate during the quarter. The economy in total grew 2.85%, a stable growth rate which was only made possible by the uptick in domestic consumption and partially fueled by a string of new investments in infrastructure and housing by the Imperial Government. Yet while some may say that this appears to be a return to normal, there are many in the country who are looking forwards to 2024, with economists predicting record growth in Daito's economy in the coming year. For now, however, all we can do is wait and see. As always, YHK will continue to cover the economy going into the New Year.
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"Molecular Jackhammers" Destroy Cancer Cells Through Vibration, Says Saito Study
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Yoriyuki Ando
01/04/2024
Researchers at Saito University have demonstrated that cancer cells can be killed by using light to stimulate strong mechanical vibrations in a fluorescent dye that is commonly used for medical imaging. By rupturing the membrane of the cancer cells, these molecular versions of a jackhammer were shown to destroy 99% of human melanoma cells grown on lab cultures. When used to treat live mice that had human melanoma tumors, half of the 10-strong group were cancer-free after seven months. The research team, led by Dr. Reiji Maruya, has previously shown that molecular motors—which have a chain of atoms that can be activated by light to spin continually in the same direction—can be used to drill through the outer membrane of infectious bacteria, cancer cells, and treatment-resistant fungi. In this case, however, the light was used excite plasmons in the small dye molecules, causing all of the atoms in their core to vibrate at the same time. This plasmonic approach generates molecular motion on miniscule timescales, more than a million times faster than can be achieved with spinning molecular motors. The collective vibrations can also be also activated using near-infrared light, which penetrates further into the body than the visible frequencies needed to induce motion in other molecular machines. Light at these longer wavelengths can travel up to around ten centimeters through biological tissues, compared to just 0.5 centimeters with visible light.
The fluorescent dyes used in this study have a nearly symmetrical structure, with an additional arm that helps to anchor them to the membrane of the cancer cells. “These molecules are biocompatible, stable in water, and very good at attaching themselves to the fatty outer lining of cells,” said the study's lead author, one Yuna Iwasa from Saito University. “Due to their structure and chemical properties, the nuclei of these molecules can oscillate in sync when exposed to the right stimulus.” Experiments by the team showed that the vibronic modes induced in these molecules could kill cells up to 50 times faster than with photothermal or photodynamic therapies. The method is also effective, the research revealed, with much lower concentrations of dye molecules and requires less than a tenth of the light intensity to activate the cell-destroying mechanism.
"This is the first time a molecular plasmon has been used to excite the whole molecule and to produce mechanical action that achieves a particular goal—in this case, tearing apart the cancer cells’ membrane,” says Iwasa. "This study offers a different way to treat cancer by using mechanical forces at the molecular scale.” The team is now working to identify and synthesize other small molecules that can support these vibronic modes. Potential applications include the selective regulation of active sites in enzymes, the modulation of protein channels and controlling the structure or function of large biological assemblies for use in pharmacology.
Emperor to Take Questions From Press, Public On Tenchō Setsu
Yuichi Kurata
01/04/2024
The Imperial Household Ministry has confirmed that His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Eijirō will be taking questions from the press next week during the celebration of the Tenchō Festival, which marks the occasion of his birthday. These questions will be answered during the Emperor's televised address to the nation that evening, which will be broadcast here on YHK as well as numerous other channels and services across the Empire. It has further been confirmed that a select number of questions from the public will also be answered, with submissions being made at www.kunaicho.go.fs/e-kunaicho/submissions (http://www.kunaicho.go.fs/e-kunaicho/submissions). Submissions for questions during the TV special will be closed on the 9th of January. Furthermore, the Emperor and a select number of members of the Imperial Family will appear before the public on the grounds of the Imperial Palace as usual.
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Five Takeaways from the Emperor's Tenchō Setsu Address
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Harukichi Yada
01/12/2024
His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Eijirō, delivered an address to the nation Thursday evening at the conclusion of festivities on Tenchō Setsu, a celebration of his birthday. During the address, which was made prior to him taking questions from the public, he thanked the public for their well wishes and struck notes of the traditional message of unity, but also touched on the war in Kalasin and efforts to reduce tensions between the country and Rokkenjima. He also spoke about domestic policy being undertaken by the government, including measures to provide affordable housing to those who were struggling to own a home of their own as well as new expansions to the Shinkansen High Speed Rail network. With that being said, here are five takeaways from his address and interview:
1. The Emperor plans to issue an ordinance Regarding the name of the country
Following the Banwa Restoration, which saw the government take a more nationalistic stance, many suspected that it would formally drop the name "Daito", a Toshikawan name used in parlance, in favor of any number of native names. These range from the short, such as Mizuho and Yakuni to the more historically significant—and long—Akitsukuni and Toyoashihara no mizuho no kuni. However, the most commonly proposed name, "Fusan", has long been the official English name for the country, and thus is came as no surprise that, during the interview following his address, Eijirō confirmed that he would be issuing an ordinance requiring the renaming of the country. This ordinance, set to go into effect on the 11th of February—National Foundation Day—will be debated by the Diet when its next session begins later this month. Insiders within the government have noted that it will likely be passed into law.
2. Elections will be held in Kalasin next month
During his address, the Emperor noted that, as the fighting in Kalasin dies down, the Allied Provisional Authority led by General Hayao Okuda will prepare to relinquish authority in the region to elected civilian authorities under a Transitional Government. The new Kalasinese Transitional Government will formally be under the Union State, as it will be acting under the 2018 Constitution of the Republic of Kalasin, however he stressed that the Provisional Authority has, with the cooperation of the Kalasinese people and the Union Government led by President Kaikaew out of Ranong, begun the process of drafting a new constitution for the recently reincorporated region. His Imperial Majesty further noted that regions within the Republic of Kalasin will be permitted to hold plebiscites to determine their fate within the Union, to be supervised by Coalition forces throughout the process, while the government in Ranong is reportedly considering sweeping reforms within its power structure in order to prevent another war.
Per both the Emperor and messaging from the Kaikaew administration, the Union government is reportedly preparing to authorize coalition forces to remain in the region through 2027 as peacekeepers, eager to not repeat the mistakes made by the previous administration following the end of the Second Kalasinese War in 2017. However, while some have celebrated this decision, a few others, although only a minority at this point, have urged for Daito to withdraw from Kalasin once more, tired of the cycle wherein Daitojin forces have been repeatedly deployed to Kalasin since the 1960s. Nonetheless, War Minister Esashi has stated that, as it stands, Daitojin troops will likely remain in the country until then, barring a change in the current arrangements.
3. A proposed trip to NASDA's space station remains on the cards
Perhaps one of the more surprising details from the program was that a proposed mission to Zenshoen by TransOrbital remains on the table. This mission, which differs from their usual fare of flights contracted to NASDA, would see a crew of six, including none other than His Imperial Majesty himself, visit the station for some time. While the mission is controversial among some, who see it as little more than a publicity stunt by the corporation or as an accident waiting to happen, there are many within the nation's scientific community who see it as a major coup for them in their fight for a larger budget each year. In their eyes, if they can show that even the Emperor, a figure whose security is seen as paramount, were to visit the station—and perhaps beyond—then their case for further funding would fall on fewer deaf ears. There is no confirmation as to whether the visit to the station, which could last as long as a month in total, could also see the "delegation" visit the newly-operational Deep Space Platform and perhaps even an excursion to the lunar surface, but in those cases, it is far more likely to not be the case.
4. The Emperor will endorse new infrastructure projects in Daito
On a far less surprising note, Eijirō stated that he was prepared to personally endorse a number of new infrastructure projects across the nation, including the expansion of the Shinkansen rail network and an expansion in coverage of fibre-optic internet access throughout much of the country. Such construction projects would add a great number of jobs to the economy while helping to strengthen it going into the next fiscal year.
5. International outreach will be a major goal of the government in 2024
Finally, His Imperial Majesty noted that one of the main goals of the government going into 2024 will be a greatly expanded program of international outreach, seeking to forge new ties and to strengthen those that already exist. While Daito recently helped to found the ADSN, the Emperor noted that it was the belief of the government that ties to the developing world, which includes countries such as Lijiang and Asadal, as well as many others across Mundus, were worth exploring new ties with, while of course he reaffirmed his commitment towards detente with the Rokkenjiman government. As already mentioned, he also stated that the government should also seek to further bolster already existing ties with a number of countries, including Achkaerin, the Union of the Matildas, and the Peninsular nations. What form this new open foreign policy will truly take remains to be seen, as it will be shaped by the Imperial Diet when it begins its next session later this month.
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Could Uechi Technologies' Hypersonic Rotating Detonation Engine Breakthrough Revolutionize Aviation?
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Yukari Murai
01/16/2024
The race to field reusable hypersonic aircraft became far more interesting last month, with Uechi Technologies announcing a breakthrough in high-speed jet engine design that could potentially allow conventional aircraft to fly at speeds that exceed Mach 10. According to Uechi's press release (https://independentorder.net/index.php?topic=3042.msg28406#msg28406), the company recently demonstrated, quote, "what is believed to be a world-first hypersonic dual-mode ramjet (DMRJ) test rig with rotating detonation combustion (RDC) in a supersonic flow stream." This, of course, means leveraging rotating detonation combustion—which happens to be a far more efficient means of power production—within a dual-mode ramjet, also known as a dual-mode scramjet. Ramjets and scramjets are air-breathing jet engines that simply do not function well at lower speeds, however, they are quite capable of powering an aircraft or weapon from around Mach 3 up to Mach 5 and beyond. If these claims are in any way accurate, then this would mark a significant development toward producing dual-mode ramjet/scramjets with far greater range, but could represent an even bigger breakthrough if combined with a similarly Rotating Detonation Combustion-equipped turbofan engine in what’s commonly called a turbine-based combined cycle (TBCC) propulsion system. And we do have evidence to suggest that such a breakthrough is being made. Uechi first acknowledged that it was working with the Advanced Research Projects Agency (ARPA) and the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) on an RDC-equipped TBCC engine during a press conference last June.
"Uechi engineers are now testing the transition mode at high-supersonic speeds as thrust transitions from the RDE-equipped turbine and the dual-mode ramjet/scramjet,” Uechi Technologies, Defense & Systems CEO Mitsuko Takahashi said during the conference.
This TBCC engine would combine four different forms of air-breathing jet engine technologies into a single combined system, providing an aircraft with the capability of taking off and landing under conventional turbofan power, while also achieving hypersonic speeds under scramjet power during sustained flight, a concept which has been proposed by numerous firms in the past. But Uechi's design is the first to incorporate Rotating Detonation Combustion, which could make such an engine far more compact and efficient than previous efforts, potentially resulting in a far more practical approach to hypersonic flight.
How does Uechi's hypersonic engine compare to other designs?
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One of a Few Publicly Released Images of EMAC's "Switchblade" Engine
Last February, the world was taken by storm after the East Moreland Aircraft Company (EMAC) successfully demonstrated that their turbine-based combined cycle "Switchblade" engine could successfully transition from turbojet to ramjet power in a high speed wind tunnel. Later in the year, although it did not receive major media attention at the time, Aomori-based Akikawa secured nearly 文300 million from the AFRL to continue development on an even more capable turbofan-to-scramjet design that would function similarly but which could potentially achieve much higher speeds. And of course, while not officially confirmed, it is generally understood that Aizawa-Shinoda has long been working to create a similar turbofan-to-dual-mode-scramjet design as part of the ever-elusive "Project Darkstar", which was first leaked to the public in 2014 and which has since spawned numerous conspiracy theories. Yet while these designs are each very promising, this new announcement out of Uechi Technologies may represent the most promising combined cycle hypersonic propulsion system revealed to date, as it incorporates a similar turbofan-to-dual mode scramjet as the Darkstar and Akikawa efforts, but adds yet another exotic propulsion system into the mix in the form of a rotating detonation engine.
This addition could help to overcome the biggest technical hurdle Aizawa-Shinoda's Darkstar program is believed to face: bridging the gap between speeds attainable under turbofan power and scramjet power. Based on Uechi's claims, their Hypersonic Dual-Mode Ramjet with Rotating Detonation Combustion engine could not only achieve similar or even greater speeds than other hypersonic engine designs, but could offer a significant boost in fuel economy—and, as a result, range—in what may prove to be an overall smaller and lighter package. This program has been underway for only about a year, according to the Uechi press release, but it has reportedly matured rapidly thanks, in no small part, to Uechi's acquisition of hypersonic-focused Ōshiro LLC. last year. Ōshiro brought a great deal of talent in the development of high-speed inlet designs, which play a key role in the function of any jet engine. In a dual-mode scramjet, however, the inlet geometry must not only be precise but also needs to be adjustable to manage the placement of shockwaves in the airstream at different flight speeds.
Uechi Technologies believes they will be able to demonstrate a flight-ready prototype of this exotic new engine system later this year.
What Does This Mean for the Future of Aviation?
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A Conceptual Hypersonic Airliner Design by Zayasu Heavy Industries
Put simply, if the technology which Uechi is developing pans out, then it is quite likely that every part of the modern aerospace industry could be affected. But for the sake of brevity, we will limit this discussion significantly. For starters, there is the ever-present issue of weight. One of the biggest challenges to fielding an effective TBCC engine is this exact issue. Weight is always a concern in aircraft design, but the issue becomes even more pronounced when your aircraft is forced to carry more than one form of engine. When flying under turbojet or turbofan power, the ramjet/scramjet is nothing but dead weight and vice versa. But engines that use rotating detonation combustion can help to offset this weight issue.
"RDC enables higher thrust generation more efficiently, at an overall smaller engine size and weight, by combusting the fuel through detonation waves instead of a standard combustion system that powers traditional jet engines today,” Uechi says in their press release.
According to Dr. Hajime Kuroda, a professor of hypersonic and aerospace engineering for the University of Awara, this could also allow for a shorter overall engine length, which is itself another important consideration for aircraft design, as larger internal space requirements lead to larger overall aircraft designs, thus requiring more materials and ultimately meaning that the vehicle weighs more. And perhaps most importantly, more efficient engines reduce fuel requirements or extend ranges for the same amount of fuel carried. This would be essential for any Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) or precision-strike platform, which would need to cover great distances. The R-3's unrefueled range of 6,300 km requires an internal load of 28,500 kg of fuel, for example, while the Rokkenjiman AR-7 requires 31,800 kg of fuel to travel 4,600 without refueling. While it is certainly difficult to predict the fuel economy for Uechi's experimental new engine design in an aircraft, it stands to reason that it would be far more efficient but would aim for significantly higher speeds, making the balance of weight to range just as essential as it is in supersonic designs.
In terms of more practical applications, while of course it would be exceedingly difficult to replace the current turbofan and turbojet engines used on modern aircraft, the application of this new engine could serve to completely flip the script on air travel, with the potential for hypersonic airliners taking to the skies sooner rather than later if this engine proves successful. Likewise, alongside the development of ceramic radar absorbent materials (CRAM)—which some have suspected might be related to the development of hypersonic platforms—the technology could play a role in the development of sixth-generation military aircraft just as much as it does in current efforts to field a hypersonic reconnaissance platform. While Dr. Kuroda was quick to point out that alone, these engines would not allow their development as they would require an oxidizer, in our interview with him, he suggested that if a vehicle were to carry enough oxidizer onboard, then, quote, "you might potentially be able to build a single-stage-to-orbit spaceplane." Regardless of whether you believe these claims, it is abundantly clear that hypersonic aircraft are coming, and they are far closer than you might think.
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Diet Convenes for First Session of 2024
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Yuichi Kurata
01/26/2024
The Diet opened an ordinary session on Wednesday. The primary focus of debate is on political reform including the role of the Prime Minister, which, although amendments have been proposed throughout the years, is not necessarily formalized under the constitution. With a clear majority in the Diet, some suspect that Sadazane Konishi may be able to push through such an amendment, however as of now no details with regards to what it might entail have been published. The House of Peers opened their plenary session at 10:00 AM local time by offering a silent prayer for the Imperial Family, which lost His Imperial Majesty, Emperor Eikō, on the 20th. The chairs of the chamber's standing committees were then appointed. At 1:00 PM, an opening ceremony was held with Emperor Eijirō attending, during which time he delivered a brief address to a joint session, after which he received the traditional banzai salute seen at the end of such addresses.
Prime Minister Konishi then addressed the Diet, reporting on the previous year's budget, the nation's economy, news, and other key fields before setting his priorities and those of the Diet for the session. Among these priorities, he stressed the need for transparency by the government with regards to political funding, noting a recent scandal within the Yakumo provincial assembly wherein five members of the YFD failed to disclose funding for their campaigns on the part of DAIPEX. He further stressed that without this transparency, it would be difficult for the people to maintain their faith within the government, potentially risking its stability and the continued health of democracy within the country. Later on in his address, the Prime Minister alluded to his support for an amendment with regards to the office of Prime Minister, stating, quote, "...it has been 135 years since the Constitution was promulgated, and yet even today, the Head of the Government only fills that role through procedure and laws passed after the fact."
Yet while many observers see Konishi at the peak of his popularity, it cannot be said that he lacks any detractors. Though his response to the attack on Awara, which resulted in a return of Fusanese troops to Kalasin, did serve to quiet dissent for a time, recent actions along the Kalasinese-Kusanese border have called into question whether he is truly up to the task of protecting the nation and ensuring a proper transition to democracy within the troubled region of the Union State. This, combined with what some see as an unsatisfactory resolution to the conflict over the Tokara Islands last year followed by attempts at rapprochement with the Rokkenjiman government, will likely continue to haunt the Konishi government for some time, however an insider within the administration seemed hopeful when he spoke about their prospects going ahead into the year.
Thursday saw the Diet vote to confirm Imperial Decree 14067, which requires that, from the 11th of February onwards, the government cease the use of the name "Daito" in all official business of state and that the name "Fusan" or, in its full form, the "Empire of Fusan", be the sole official name of the nation in international affairs. The vote on "House Resolution 2743", officially referred to as the "National Naming Conventions Act", passed the Diet 392 to 68, with five representatives voting present. The resolution then passed to the House of Peers, who voted 153 to 95 in favor, with Emperor Eijirō signing it into law early this morning. As per what was stipulated under Imperial Decree 14067, the act will go into effect on the 11th of February, 2024. The session is scheduled to last for 150 days through the 21st of June.
"Fortresses of Our Own": Yezo Work to Build a Sense of Community in Fusan
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Haruhisa Mori
01/26/2024
The sound of mukkuri resonates at the Yezo Thanksgiving Festival in 2023 in Akashi. The traditional Yezo musical instrument is made of bamboo and can mimic the sounds of nature, including wildlife. During the festival, dancers perform a pororimse ring dance, which typically marks the end of Yezo feasts. These are common scenes across Fusan's north, but they are likely unfamiliar to most in a city like Akashi. The festival was organized by Etsuko Yoshida, the head of a group aligned with the larger Utari Mosir that aims to increase awareness of Yezo culture in the Shinkyo region and to connect community members with their heritage through language and traditions.
Yoshida was born into a Yezo family in Hokuriku. At the age of 20, she moved to Toyokawa, a city near Shinkyo, to work for the Fusan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company. Yoshida recalls what it was like adjusting to urban life. "There are many Utari living in Hokuriku and many people there are quick to discriminate against us as Utari," she explains. "Here in the city, we are often seen as foreigners or as half-Fusanese, even in spite of claims by the government that such discrimination does not exist. Yet when I first experienced that, I thought maybe it's preferable in a strange way."
Yoshida quickly realized that this discrimination was rooted in an ignorance of Yezo culture. Someone told her people would say things to their Yezo acquaintances like, "What do you eat?" and "Why don't you go back to your own country?" Yoshida says such barbs have led many Yezo to conceal their heritage. Yoshida was no exception. She attempted to hide her Yezo identity whenever possible. She says that's so common in her community that some parents don't even tell their children they're Yezo. In fact, she tells us that she has friends who only learned about their true heritage later in life. Yoshida says only about 200-300 of the thousands of Yezo in the Shinkyo area are engaged in Yezo cultural activities or try to raise awareness about their heritage. In 2012, the Fusanese government expressed its intention to promote policies based on the recognition that the Yezo are an indigenous people. But lacking any legal bearing, the declaration failed to result in measures to enhance their status or increase awareness and respect among the larger population. Consequently, the issues faced by the Yezo remained unresolved and the struggle continued.
Early on in her new career as an indigenous rights activist, Yoshida drew inspiration from a region with a strong indigenous heritage—one which, though part of Fusan, is more than 4,500 kilometers away—Tsukishima. In 2012, the same year that the government issued its declaration with regards to the Yezo, she met Yi Sung-Nam, who throughout the 1970s and 80s, worked tirelessly to secure full recognition for the Dalseomin, relatives of the Paechonese and Kusanese, as an indigenous people within Fusan. She told him about the challenges faced by Yezo people and and how impressed she was with the way in which Dalseomin people have been able to assert their rights. She said she wanted to take young Yezo to Tsukishima in order to meet members of the Dalseomin community and learn from them. Yi responded by arranging a month-long exchange program.
"I think the discussion with Etsuko, and how she talked about the plight that Yezo people face, how she presented herself, moved us to say, 'We want to help you,'" he notes. "You've got to decolonize people's minds about their own culture and about who they are and what's happened to them. You have to tell them about their history because then people will move."
The following year, Yoshida travelled to Tsukishima alongside a group of young Yezo and visited pildeu and marae, traditional Dalseomin and Maori meeting houses. Though used by different cultures, these meeting houses are clearly descended from those used in what is now the Commonwealth of The Unified Iwi, with many scholars noting that it is likely that Paechonese settlers on the island likely adopted the idea behind them as part of their efforts to distinguish themselves from their homeland. These meeting houses are located across the island and are seen as gathering places for local communities. They host celebrations, rituals, discussions on current issues and, in some cases, serve as sporting venues or canteens. Among the indigenous Tsukishimans, whom it must be made clear are distinct from the Dalseomin even in spite of their intertwined history, these marae are each named after an ancestor, creating a sort of emotional bridge to the past. This idea resonated with Yoshida, as did the role the meeting houses play in bringing the community together.
"When you are within a pildeu or a marae, you don't say anything bad about people," she explains. "These spaces are where you meet and talk openly about things. You can hold essential conversations about how to conduct yourselves and how to move forward," says Yoshida. "We Yezo need similar spaces." Yoshida named her organization Casi An Kar, which means "Fortresses of Our Own" in Yezo.
The festival in Akashi is a step toward the creation of a space resembling the pildeu and marae in mainland Fusan. The main obstacle is cost, and the event—now in its tenth year—serves as a means to raise both awareness and funds. Last year, the celebration saw around 300 people attend. The three-hour celebration was a tribute to those who have worked to strengthen the sense of community among the Yezo and to increase awareness among the wider population. Yoshida gave a rendition of a Yezo-language song from the 1960s, written by a Yezo living in the Shinkyo area about struggling with city life.
"No matter how long the road is
No matter how hard life is
As a true human being
I want to walk with everyone
As a true human being"
Some in the audience said that it was their first opportunity to experience a Yezo performance. For others, the festival was a chance to reconnect with old friends in the community. Afterwards, Yoshida said she always knew it would be a long struggle. But she added that she is determined to keep working to provide a richer experience of Yezo culture in the city for both members of the community and the wider population.
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Fusan Celebrates National Foundation Day
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Fusako Arishima
02/11/2024
Today, the 11th of February, 2024, Fusan commemorates the birth of the nation, a day steeped in legend and tradition. The annual celebration, known as National Foundation Day or Kigensetsu, marks the accession of Emperor Shinō to the Celestial Throne in 660 BC. Emperor Shinō, a descendant of the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and the Storm God Susanoo, is revered as the founder of Fusan. According to ancient texts such as the Kojiki and the Fusō Shoki, Shinō embarked upon a formidable journey from Amakusa to Yamato, where he established his imperial court. Shinō's victory over rival clans and his subsequent unification of Fusan have gone on to become the cornerstones of the nation's historical narrative, symbolizing unity and resilience in the face of adversity. It was this unity and resilience that allowed Fusan, even in the darkest hours of the Greater East Ardia War, to nonetheless push forwards, ready to sacrifice itself for the future of its rising generations as well as for peace in East Ardia. Likewise, it was this unity that helped the nation to rebuild, returning to its pre-war peak by the start of the 1950s, and in that same spirit, to come together in the aftermath of last year's attack.
First established in 1873 under Emperor Keiō, National Foundation Day is typically celebrated with pomp and grandeur, featuring parades, ceremonies, and fireworks. Though initially merely a celebration of imperial rule, the holiday has become a day to remember Fusan's rich history and the perseverance of its people. Indeed, the Imperial Armed Forces held a parade in Shinkyo as part of its own celebrations, also using the opportunity to rehearse the upcoming National Victory Celebration that will supplant the standard Armed Forces Day parade next month. Also during the events of the day, Prime Minister Konishi delivered an address to the nation, where he urged every citizen to enjoin with great resolve to continue the prosperity of Fusan for the sake of future generations. Teido shrines and Buddhist temples alike held festivals known as kenkoku-sai, with Mikoshi being carried through the streets as part of the celebrations.
Emperor Shinō's legendary journey, marked with unparalleled courage and determination, continues to resonate with the Fusanese people. His legacy, encapsulated within the spirit of National Foundation Day, serves as a reminder of the importance of unity and resilience in the face of adversity. And as Fusan continues boldly into the new era, much as it has done a thousand times before, the story of Emperor Shinō and his founding of the nation will remain a powerful symbol of hope and endurance, inspiring generations to come from now unto eternity.
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Asteroid Enters Lunar Orbit This Week
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Heisuke Nakamura
03/02/2024
NASDA has successfully placed an asteroid into lunar orbit as part of its Asteroid Retrieval and Utilization (ARU) mission on Friday, marking the beginning of its efforts to study in depth the composition of Near-Mundus Asteroids, as well as marking its first successful redirection of an asteroid. While the agency has completed other missions to asteroids, the multi-billion Mon robotic explorer, named Prosperity, carries with it a docking port and several scientific experiments that will be performed by ūchunauts in Low Mundus Orbit. Already, preparations are reportedly underway for the crew of DSP Expedition 1, which departed from Zenshoen in late February, to briefly depart the station and rendezvous with Prosperity and the asteroid, 641376 Takenaka, sometime next week. The crew will spend three days at the asteroid, where they will conduct a number of EVAs and perform experiments with the object.
As far as asteroids go, Takenaka is on the smaller end, with a maximum diameter of just under six meters. Discovered in 2011, the asteroid appears to have an intensely dark surface that is known to reflect a number of unusual colors, this being in spite of long-exposure images released by NASDA which often depict it as a gray mass. Takenaka is a C-type asteroid, something which both made it difficult to discover and which made its discovery all the more interesting to researchers on Mundus, as it means that it is a so-called "Primitive Asteroid," one which could be rich in carbon, organic materials and frozen water. That means, according to NASDA, studying the asteroid could help "clarify interactions between the building blocks of Mundus and the evolution of its oceans and life," as well as to understand more about how the solar system works. But just because the asteroid has been recovered and will be visited doesn't mean that the agency is done with them. Already, planners are considering a visit to a similar asteroid as part of Sojourner's mission to Nergal in the coming years, likely following a flyby of Ishtar on the way home. Whatever may come of those plans, one thing can be certain: the next few weeks will be quite interesting for researchers at NASDA.
Scientists, AI May Have Solved Major Challenge for Fusion
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Hajime Matsui
03/02/2024
Illuminating businesses and homes with the star-sustaining power of fusion will be one of the greatest engineering challenges in human history. In order to recreate the energy-generating physics at the center of our Sun—which uses a lot of gravity to squeeze atoms together—reactors on Mundus have to compensate for this lack of mass with an immense increase in heat. At around 100M °C, light nuclei in the form of an electron soup known as plasma can overcome strong electric repulsion and fuse via quantum tunneling. While that is a good thing, there is a problem involved: containing that ultra-hot plasma in the first place. That is because plasma has a tendency to escape the magnetic fields which contain it in a reactor, which immediately ends a fusion reactor when it happens. But scientists from Misaki University, as well as the Misaki Plasma Physics Laboratory (MPPL), are employing AI to avoid these plasma mishaps and hopefully keep future fusion reactions from this particular form of self-sabotage. Using Fusan's ISTX experimental fusion reactor in Katashina, researchers demonstrated that their AI model trained on experimental data could detect what are known as “tearing mode” instabilities—a type of plasma disruption when plasma-containing magnetic field lines break—sometimes as much as 300 milliseconds in advance. Although not enough time for humans to react, AI can readily change parameters to avoid the tear, and thus keep the reaction stable. The results of this work were published in the Fusanese Journal of Research (FJR) last week.
"Tearing mode instabilities are one of the major causes of plasma disruption, and they will become even more prominent as we try to run fusion reactions at the high powers required to produce enough energy,” first author Giichi Urata, a professor of Physics at Kudoyama University in Yakumo who performed the work as a postdoctoral researcher at Misaki, said in a statement. "Previous studies have generally focused on either suppressing or mitigating the effects of these tearing instabilities after they occur in the plasma, but our approach allows us to predict and avoid those instabilities before they ever appear.”
Teaching AI to control a fusion reaction is similar to how other AI models are trained for complicated tasks—a large amount of real-world data and ultra-quick pattern recognition. This AI model used a “reinforcement learning algorithm” that allowed the program to work out best containment methods via trial and error within a simulated environment. Eventually, the program learned to achieve high power output without the “punishment” of instability. Co-author Nae Sun-Yung, also a member of the Misaki group, compared training the model to learning to fly an aircraft, saying a controller needs lots of time on an intricate simulator before “they’ve learned enough to try out the real thing.”
Now that the AI has passed the real-world test with flying colors, the researchers say they need more data on the AI's performance at the ISTX reactor, and if all goes well, the team could begin training the program to recognize other fusion instabilities as well. But containing plasma in real-time is only one piece of the fusion puzzle. Engineers, for example, still need to develop new materials capable of withstanding the immense heat of fusion for not just minutes, hours, or days, but years if the technology has any hope of one day powering homes across the world. Fusion may very well be the greatest feat of engineering in human history, and it very well may also be the biggest in AI history, too.
Navy Prepares to Launch New Class of Submarine
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Harunori Kōno
03/02/2024
A new predator will soon stalk the world's oceans and seas, as the Imperial Fusanese Navy prepares to launch the IFN Barakuda, the lead vessel of her class, later this month. The ship, with its complement of 125 sailors, marks the culmination of a decades-long effort to field a replacement for the fleet's Itachizame-class of diesel-electric hunter-killer submarines, which were retired at the turn of the new millennium. The vessel differs from its peers in the Navy's silent service by forgoing the ability to launch missiles, instead coming equipped with an impressive arsenal of torpedoes, including both Type 69 "HATEs" and the newer Type 75 ULTRA, whose range, though not officially stated by the navy, is believed to be in excess of 65 kilometers and can carry a 405 kg explosive warhead. The submarine is expected to be launched later this month and will begin its shakedown cruise on the 17th of April, coinciding with the year's Armed Forces Day celebrations.
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Ibuki, Barakuda Launch as Konishi Urges Naval Rearmament
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Harunori Kōno
03/16/2024
Just under sixty years after commissioning its first-nuclear powered aircraft carrier, the Imperial Fusanese Navy launched today the second ship of its third generation of nuclear-powered carriers. Featuring upgrades over her sister, including a new reactor similar in principal to that powering the Miyakejima-class strike cruisers, the Ibuki, like the other members of the Taihō-class, is designed to carry naval air power well into the late 21st century and perhaps even beyond. The carrier builds on decades of experience with the construction of larger vessels, however, she contains several upgrades over previous classes, including the ability to generate more electrical power to support the propulsion and ship systems and new launch and retrieval systems enabling the operation of a wider range of aircraft than even her sister. The vessel, after having been launched, has been moved to a dock in Hatsukaichi, where it will undergo further outfitting and testing before being delivered to the navy in 2025.
Ibuki was joined in its launch by the Barakuda, the lead ship in its class of nuclear-powered "hunter-killer" submarines, which was launched three days ago. As has already been mentioned earlier this month, the vessel is set to be delivered to the navy for sea trials on the 17th of April. It will remain under testing for a period of no less than a year, although due to the nature of the vessel, the navy has refrained from stating to what extent these trials will include beyond what would be expected of a vessel of its type. Together, both Ibuki and Barakuda paint a picture of a navy steaming boldly into the future, ready to tackle any challenges it may face with the might and resolve which has come to be expected of it.
However, in a speech by Prime Minister Konishi at the launching ceremony for the Ibuki, he echoed the calls by Admiral Satoru Hazuki, the Chief of Naval Operations, for a large-scale rearmament of the navy to better meet those challenges.
"...It is therefore my conclusion, consistent with the analysis brought forwards by Admiral Hazuki and others within our great navy, that we need a naval force of no fewer than five hundred ships." The Prime Minister said. "In order to achieve that goal, I am calling on the Diet to approve this rearmament, the likes of which we have not seen in many years, in order to safeguard our nation from any threats it may face going forwards."
Asteroid Takenaka "Rich in Organic Materials", says NASDA
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Heisuke Nakamura
03/16/2024
The asteroid 641376 Takenaka may be rich in organic molecules that could serve as the building blocks of life. The discovery was made when ūchunauts aboard the DSP took their first look at the samples collected from the asteroid earlier in the month. The sample, according to one member of the crew, appears to contain several "prebiotic organics" including several types of amino acids that are used by living creatures to build proteins essential for regulating chemical reactions and forming structures like hair and muscles. These molecules can also be created by various non-living processes, such as chemical reactions that can take place in asteroids. The findings add more credibility to the theory that the basic ingredients needed to kickstart the development of life on Mundus could have been delivered to the planet in its infancy from space. The term "organic molecules" describes a wide range of compounds containing the element carbon coupled with hydrogen, oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur and other atoms and are the building blocks of all forms of life here on Mundus. These compounds can be created by chemical reactions that don't involve living things, meaning that chemical processes within asteroids can create the ingredients for life. The search for these chemical processes that could have led to the emergence of life on Mundus is known as "prebiotic chemistry."
Naturally, these findings will need to be verified once the samples are returned to Mundus in April, however, they are nonetheless an exciting find for members of the scientific community the world over. It remains to be seen if they will be corroborated in studies which will be undertaken in the years to come.
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Government to Build Emergency Shelters, Improve Emergency Services
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Yuichi Kurata
03/29/2024
In the aftermath of 2023's devastating attack on Awara, many within the government began calling for reforms in how the nation responds to potential crises at home. In particular, they cited the shelters found in Awara, long-abandoned following the Cold War, which have fallen into disrepair as well as the failure of F-Alert to properly warn citizens in time, with this failure being blamed for a significant portion of casualties sustained on that day. As a result, the Ministry of Communications has been directed to work alongside the Ministry of Internal Affairs in overhauling this system alongside the construction of new shelters in Tochigi Province. These shelters will be designed to withstand a missile blast, being made of reinforced concrete with walls measuring more than 30 centimeters thick. The shelters will provide two square meters of space per person, and carry enough supplies for up to two weeks. As for the National Early Warning System (F-Alert), the MoC plans to expand direct coverage through YHK to the majority of the country, including Tochigi Province, rather than relying on local broadcast infrastructure for the system.
"Beni-Koji" Linked to Fusanese Deaths
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Eisuke Irokawa
03/29/2024
All across Fusan, deaths and hospitalizations have been reported among a number of people who consumed a mold-based supplement manufactured by a Fusanese pharmaceutical company. Okayama-based Takahashi Pharmaceutical Co.'s "Beni-koji choleste-aid" contains "beni-koji," a variety of koji mold-cultured foods consumed for centuries in countries including Fusan and Toshikawa. Beni-koji is made by culturing Monascus mold species on grains such as rice. Popular for its natural red color, the ingredient is found in "tofuyo" Amami-style fermented tofu, as well as in a variety of rice wines and other dishes. According to Takahagi University associate professor Akifumi Murata, an expert on the study of fermented foods, Fusanese researchers discovered an ingredient found to lower cholesterol, called "monacolin K," from the mold in the 1970s. In recent years, this has garnered attention as an ingredient in health supplements. However, some Monascus species produce citrinin, a toxic substance which is thought to bring about kidney disorders. Takahashi Pharmaceutical's product, however, is made using a type of the mold species that does not produce this mycotoxin, and a product analysis performed after the issue came to light did not confirm the presence of any citrinin.
Thus far, no apparent cause has been discovered, with the Okayama-based company urging for consumers to remain calm, saying "there's no need to be overly concerned about products other than this supplement as long as it's not taken in excess." Despite this, seven people have been reported dead, apparently a result of the product, and a further 560 people have received or wish to receive outpatient treatment for symptoms suspected to be linked to the supplements, treatment which the company is reportedly prepared to offer compensation for. A government research facility is set to conduct a further examination of the product in collaboration with the company.
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Solar Eclipse Sweeps East Ardia
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Heisuke Nakamura
04/08/2024
Millions across East Ardia witnessed the moon block out the sun during a total solar eclipse on Monday. The Eclipse's path of totality stretched more than 6,500 km from near Miki, Nishihata to Nagato, Tsukishima, crossing more than sixteen prefectures as well as parts of Rokkenjima and Tytor, with many descending on the affected regions to view the relatively rare celestial event. Most of those in East Ardia, but not in the direct path, still witnessed a partial eclipse, with the moon transforming the sun into a fiery crescent. Total solar eclipses happen somewhere around the world every 11 to 18 months, but they don’t often cross paths with millions of people. Fusan received its last taste in 2016 and won't see another total eclipse until 2038.
Yet while a stunning event in and of itself, solar eclipses hold a special status among many people across the nation, not to mention for the scientific community. In Teido, it is generally believed that eclipses occur when Amaterasu, the sun goddess, is said to retreat into a cave, only being coaxed out through showing her reflection in a mirror and the performance of kagura. In Tsukishima, the Dalseomin hold that Bulgae—fire dogs from the dark realm—cause eclipses by trying to bite the sun and moon. Even among the Yezo of Hokuriku, there have long been stories of a "dead black sun" with "tongues of fire and lightning from its sides" which seem to line up with recorded eclipses both among the Imperial Court—which, owing to its ties to the sun, kept a detailed record of celestial phenomena for millennia—and Ardian observers. Certainly, it can therefore be said that, like societies all across the globe, events such as these have had an immense impact on cultures across Fusan.
This year, Fusan took a keen interest in the eclipse, with NASDA launching a trio of sounding rockets from the Sado Flight Facility in Toshima Prefecture to study how the planet's upper atmosphere is affected during an eclipse. Flights like these have been used to predict potential disturbances to communications which can be caused by a variety of phenomena other than eclipses. At the same time, uchunauts aboard the Deep Space Platform were the first to directly observe a total solar eclipse from their vantage point in lunar orbit, noting a "black dot" moving across the globe over the course of their stay. Finally, a modified AS-2100 supersonic transport spent just over an hour and a half in total darkness at Mach 2.7, allowing astronomers an unparalleled vantage point from which to observe the event.
Air Force Tests Air-Launched ABM
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Harunori Kōno
04/08/2024
According to a spokesman for the Imperial Fusanese Air Force, the branch successfully tested an air-launched variant of the MIM-136 SAC-3 missile used on the well-regarded Shishi surface-to-air system. Dubbed the "Air Launched Hit To Kill" or "ALHTK", the missile will be capable of providing a significant capability for defense of the homeland against asymmetric missile attacks such as was seen last year. The ALHTK system replaces the aircraft's pylon-mounted external fuel pods with a pair of similarly shaped external weapons bays, each containing a SAC-3 missile. While further testing is underway, this first test was intended to simply prove that the missile could be launched from an airborne vehicle, with further testing almost certainly already underway. It is also believed that the Navy is testing a similar system with its typically ship-launched HM-2 missiles, further extending the range of its task forces in engaging threats by ballistic and perhaps eventually hypersonic missiles.
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Nation Celebrates Armed Forces Day
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Harunori Kōno
04/17/2024
Fusan showcased an arsenal of advanced weaponry in a military parade on Wednesday, rolling tanks and missiles down the streets of its capital as aircraft streaked overhead. The parade, held to mark the 106th anniversary of the end of the Ardian Continental War (1914 - 1918), comes amidst the backdrop of both recent conflicts in the Rokkenjiman Sea and Kalasin as well as the ongoing crisis in Troyes, where insurgents recently claimed control over the city and declared the "Republic of Troyes." The day's festivities commenced early in the morning with performances and ceremonies at Joint Base Koshu, just outside of Shinkyo, where Prime Minister Sadazane Konishi delivered an address urging vigilance in the modern world and calling for the neutralization of the PAFK's leadership.
"As we stand here, on this most hallowed of days for our Armed Forces, we are reminded that our enemy, Thaksin Prateung—a war criminal who has aided in perpetrating the wholesale slaughter of his nation—remains in hiding. Today, as we celebrate the storied history of our armed forces, I come before you, the nation as a whole, with this, my solemn vow: We shall not yield, we shall not rest, we shall not tire until that day comes, and let me assure you it is coming soon, that he and all his ilk are made to face justice for their crimes, whether in this life or the next." The Prime Minister said in his speech.
The military parade—the centerpiece of the day's festivities—followed around 10:00 AM, with troops and equipment passing through the heart of Shinkyo, passing by both the Imperial Palace and the Imperial Diet Building. The roads were lined with spectators, many of whom were waving small flags or shouting patriotic slogans. Several thousand Fusanese troops marched during the event according to a spokesman for the Ministry of War. Other performances included a military band and flag-bearers from each unit which participated. On display was a variety of homegrown equipment, including drones, tanks and armored personnel carriers, further highlighting the large arms industry of the nation. Soldiers in the vehicles waved to the crowd as they passed by; several vehicles had the Fusanese flag affixed to them. Of course, as has been the case since the first parade held on the 17th, a number of dignitaries and other important persons were in attendance, including both Prime Minister Konishi and Emperor Eijirō as well as members of the legislature, Imperial Family, and military. Also present was Sergeant Eisuke Nakao, a medic in the Army risked his life to protect several wounded soldiers in his care near Samut Prakan, Kalasin, and was awarded the Order of the Golden Kite earlier this morning as a result.
At around 4:00 PM, the festivities moved to Yura Bay, just southeast of Shinkyo and adjacent to the larger Shinkyo Bay, where the annual fleet review was performed, with the Emperor serving as Chief Inspector, leading the battle line from the bridge of the IFN Jun'yō alongside Rear Admiral Jiro Nakajima, the commanding officer of Carrier Strike Group 4. More than thirty vessels participated, including the Onna, Katsurō Satō, and Akita, as well as the newly delivered IFN Barakuda, which is set to begin its sea trials starting tomorrow alongside CSG-4. Also present during the review were flyovers by aircraft belonging to Carrier Air Wing Four, which is currently attached to the Jun'yō. Durring a press briefing following the review, the Emperor was questioned about a possible response to the ongoing crisis in Troyes, where he alluded to the possibility of deploying forces to the region in support of the nation's ADSN allies, however, he stressed that diplomatic measures had to be pursued with great vigor as well.
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Carrier Deployed to the Shaw
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Harunori Kōno
04/23/2024
The Imperial Fusanese Navy aircraft carrier IFN Taihō (CVN-43) will deploy to the EoF Southern Command area of operations over the next few months as part of EoF Naval Forces Southern Command/EoF 2nd Fleet's Antalin Sea 2024 deployment. Taihō, as well as Akaishi-class Strike Cruiser Tone (CSGN-6), elements of DESRON 2 including destroyers Kosuke Abe (DDG-111) and Teijirō Endo (DDG-89), and combat support ship Gassan (AOE-12) are scheduled to conduct passing exercises and operations with partner nation maritime forces as the ships travel across the region, with the deployment's goal being to test interoperability between member-states of the Association of Shaw and Dauntel Nations. The deployment comes on the heels of the recent declaration of the "Republic of Troyes" by forces belonging to the organization known as "Real Marseilles", an act supported by some members of the ADSN while others remained apprehensive, including the government of Fusan. Nonetheless, it is believed that this deployment may serve to bolster already present forces in the region in the event that the Kingdom of Seaforth, which we note illegally occupied the city in 2017, elects to push the issue any further.
Regarding the possibility that Seaforth does not back down, a source within the War Ministry suggested that they are "unconcerned, but nonetheless remaining vigilant" with regards to such a scenario. Echoing the words of Emperor Eijirō last Wednesday, they further stated that the government should prioritize diplomatic efforts to prevent such a scenario from playing out, however unlikely it may be. Taihō, as well as the rest of CSG-8, is expected to arrive in the region late evening of the 26th. YHK will continue to monitor the ongoing situation in Troyes and the Strait of Shaw, as well as other ongoing conflicts across the globe.
"Goodnight, Nozomi" — NASDA's Nozomi Mission to Nergal Comes to an End
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Heisuke Nakamura
04/23/2024
Late on April 22nd, 2024, mission controllers at NASDA's Institute of Aerospace Technology in Yura, Tokai sent the last commands to ask NASDA's Nozomi rover on Nergal to call home. Nozomi has not communicated with Mundus since September 17th, 2023. One of the most successful and enduring feats of interplanetary exploration, NASDA's Nozomi rover is at an end after nearly twenty years spent exploring the surface of Nergal and helping lay the groundwork for the agency's continued exploration of the Red Planet. The Nozomi rover stopped communicating with Mundus when a Nergal-wide dust storm blanketed its location in September 2023. After more than a thousand commands to restore contact, engineers in the Space Flight Operations Facility at NASDA's Institute of Aerospace Technology (IAT) made their last attempt to revive Nozomi on Monday, to no avail. The RTG-powered rover's final communication was received on the 17th of September.
"It is thanks to trailblazing missions like Nozomi that there will soon come a day when our brave uchunauts will walk on the surface of Nergal," said NASDA Administrator Jiro Asagiri. "And when that day arrives, some portion of that first footprint will be owned by the men and women who worked with Nozomi, and a little rover that defied the odds and did so much in the name of exploration."
Designed to last for just a single Mundus year and to travel four kilometers, Nozomi vastly surpassed all expectations in its endurance, scientific value and longevity. In addition to exceeding its life expectancy by more than nineteen times, the rover traveled more than fifty-seven kilometers by the time it reached its final resting spot in Candor Chasma, the planned future site where NASDA will land a crew on the surface and a site which is perhaps most fitting for the rover, which brought much joy to the world over its many years of service. Many may fondly recall when, in July of 2023, the rover's visit to the landing site of the previous year's Nergal Sky Sailor mission, the first winged aircraft to fly in the atmosphere of Nergal. During that visit, which coincided with the one year anniversary of the mission, Nozomi famously played the song "Happy Birthday" for the now-powerless aircraft using its Sample Analysis at Nergal (SAN) instrument, a scene which became something of a joke online, with some noting the "seemingly macabre playing of a celebratory song for a fallen comrade", while others noted that it only further sold how lonely the rover's existence was on Nergal.
"For nearly two decades, Nozomi has been an icon in the field of planetary exploration, teaching us about Nergal's ancient past as a wet, potentially habitable planet, and revealing uncharted Nergalian landscapes," said Sachio Yamazaki, associate administrator for NASDA's Science Mission Directorate. "Whatever loss we feel now must be tempered with the knowledge that the legacy of Nozumi continues —both on the surface of Nergal with the Tasogare rover and Akatsuki lander—and in the clean rooms of IAT, where the next generation of Nergal rovers are taking shape."
The final transmission, sent via the 70-meter Nergal Station antenna at NASDA's Gyotaishin Deep Space Complex in Tsukishima, ended a multifaceted, six-month recovery strategy in an attempt to compel the rover to communicate. While the root cause of this failure to communicate with the rover is presently uncertain, the leading theory is that it may have been caused by an electrostatic coronal discharge caused by the global dust storm. Such a fate, while perhaps not befitting of a rover as well-loved as Nozomi, is one that engineers at NASDA have determined simply cannot be recovered. As a result, NASDA has finally put to rest its longest mission to another planet, allowing the rover to join its sister, Hinode—which was shut down after sustaining damage to three of its six wheels—in eternal slumber.