ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (1)

Part 3: War of the East | Japanese-Altian War Begins

December 29, 19:00

Prime Minister's Office, Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, Japan

A delegation dispatched to the Altian Empire has brought the news to the Japanese government that their country has declared war on Japan. In response to this situation, PM Izumikawa summoned his ministers and the Joint Chiefs of Staff to the Prime Minister's Office conference room for an Emergency Ministerial Meeting, where they discussed how to deal with this calamity.

"We were prepared for this when we participated in the Battle off Rovania, but we're moving too fast... It's scandalous, I didn't expect a delegation to be attacked and a diplomat to lose his life."

PM Izumikawa was holding his head with a sad expression on his face.

"The reason why the enemy is moving so fast must be because of that report. World Magic Telecommunications Company... I never expected that an international news organization like the Associated Press or Reuters already exists. I also can't underestimate that 'faith shell' communication device..."

Takichi Asano, the Minister of Finance and Deputy Prime Minister, refers to the communication system of this world.

The World Magic Telecommunications Company he mentioned is the world's one and only international news organization, and is the world's largest organization with more than 40 branches and 200 offices around the world, centered on its headquarters located in a country in the Central World. The organization, which is not affiliated with any political power, has a corporate motto of "neutral and inviolable reporting," and the information it publishes is said to be more accurate than that spread by national governments.

"Well... regardless of the movements of the enemy, we should think about what we should do now. We have already prepared to mobilize the SDF, and unlike the last Battle off Rovania, the Altian Empire has clearly named our country and declared war on us. This is a case of applying the right of individual self-defense, and the Ministry of Defense would like to recommend a thorough attack for defense."

Minister of Defense Yosuke Yasunaka proposes to mercilessly crush the superpower that have become their enemy. The Ministry of Defense, which had predicted this would happen when it decided to participate in the Battle off Rovania, had already made most of the preparations to mobilize the SDF.

"Of course that's the plan, isn't it, Prime Minister? This is a situation that we could not have hoped for, since the other side has declared war on us. In order to capture the Urestio Mine, a huge iron mine that is said to exist within their country..."

Foreign Minister Kosuke Minegishi mentioned the name of "something" that the Japanese government was secretly targeting in this war. It was the name of an iron mine located in the Yawa Peninsula of the Altian Empire, which produces most of the iron used in the country.

"But the martyrdom of a diplomat will be called into question by the opposition... especially Minseito."

PM Izumikawa had one concern in mind: the opposition parties who would hold him accountable for the death of a diplomat and for bringing about an all-out war with a powerful nation.

"Sure... the Diet will be in turmoil for a while. But we should fight them and make them lie down under the rising sun. Then the people will be convinced."

Yasunaka once again pressed Izumikawa for a decision. The young Prime Minister sighed deeply and nodded in agreement with his words.

"I know, I know. It's a bloody road, but... we have to go. By the authority of the Prime Minister, I will issue a Defense Deployment based on the right of individual self-defense. The enemy is a vicious and heinous hegemonic nation... no mercy is required."