ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (1)

Part 1: Atelica Empire | Four Changes You Should Know About

Before we get into the story, let's look at the four changes that have taken place over the past 10 months.

First, "Resources."

Construction of 13 oil rigs was completed in the Mugen Islands. Nuclear power generation has also resumed, using uranium produced in the Tomino Kingdom or Cassiut, which is brought into Japan from a trading base built in the Tomino Kingdom. As a result, the petroleum-based industries in Japan are recovering, and restrictions on the use of gasoline and rolling blackouts have been gradually lifted over the past 10 months. In addition, various mineral resources mined from deposits in various regions acquired as a result of the war have been gradually imported. Another major change is the launch of satellites, a long-cherished dream of the world, which has made it possible to survey the geology and topography from the sky and to communicate over long distances.

Second, "Economy."

The jobs created by Japanese companies that have set up operations on the Wirenia Continent and on the Seiren Island, mainly for the purpose of developing natural resources, have become popular workplaces in the region. This is because the conditions of employment and working conditions offered by Japanese companies are unthinkably favorable for the local residents who are employed. Japanese companies are also able to hire workers at low labor costs, which helps to keep down the price of imported ore to a certain extent.

In addition, agricultural guidance by the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers (JOCV) dispatched to agricultural areas and agricultural equipment brought in by the JOCV are gradually having a positive effect on the yield of harvests in various farming villages. However, in both Seiren and Altia, there are not a few merchants who are being squeezed out of their markets by incoming goods from Japan and the presence of Japanese companies in the area. The protection of local industries is a test of the local government's ability to protect its own industries.

Third, "Anti-Japanese Sentiment."

Anti-Japanese sentiment in Seiren and Altia are not small in number and are still the subject of vigilance by the SDF stationed there, but they have not made any major moves. In particular, anti-Japanese forces in the Seiren Kingdom, led by former general Cecily Limbus, have been under the influence of the Japanese victory in the war, the fact that Japan is now recognized worldwide as one of the "Seven Dragons," and the fact that Japanese companies have been participating in the war, which has led to a rise in the number of Japanese companies. The booming economy has made it difficult to gain the support of the commoners, and many have defected due to the large number of pro-Japanese royalty and aristocrats, resulting in a significant decrease in the size of their power compared to their early years.

...and finally, "Nuclear."

The "Three Non-Nuclear Principles" were already vestigial at the start of the East Asia War. Four were brought in from the US as a last resort during the war, and five were confiscated by the US military from China after the war. The Japanese government has continued to discuss with the US Embassy, in strictest confidence, the direction of the nine sacred thunderbolts following their transference. In fact, the US military had taken out two nuclear weapons in the Japanese-Altian War. As a result, all nine nuclear weapons were to remain in Japan, including the four brought in by the US, and the policy was to have them under the joint control of the US and Japan.