ASAHI NO NISHISEI - Rising Sun Goes West (2)

Eslugh of Naftali

I was writing this with the OST of One Piece playing in my head. I was excited to see the description of the countries heading for the Levely after the Dressrosa Arc.

- Bokutotsu Zen'u

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June 10, Evening

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

This city in the country of Japan, located at the eastern edge of the world of Terralus, is home to 10 million people out of a population of over 100 million. In the capital of Japan where the nightscape radiates, there is the official residence of the Prime Minister, who is the head of the government. And in the office, several members of the cabinet that leads the country are gathered.

The current government is a coalition of two parties: the Liberal National Party, which holds the largest number of seats in both houses of the Diet, and the Justice Party, which is based on a religious organization. In particular, the current cabinet, the Izumikawa III cabinet, has been in power for eight years since the House of Representatives election in 2023. The current prime minister, Kojiro Izumikawa, has already surpassed the previous record holder, Taro Katsura, for the longest tenure in power, and is the longest-serving prime minister of all time.

"In order to align the voting dates of both houses of the Diet with August 3, the House of Councillors election will be announced on July 17, and the House of Representatives election will be announced on July 22. This is the third time since the end of World War II that elections will be held at the same time," said Hiroshi Komori, Minister of Agriculture, Forestry, and Fisheries.

"I am aware of that, but... I wonder how the coordination with the delegations from other countries is going?" Finance Minister Takichi Asano asked Foreign Minister Minegishi, who was in the same room.

"So far, 21 countries have already offered to observe the elections. A delegation from the Altian Empire is scheduled to arrive in Tokyo on July 12, followed by a number of others. The Prime Minister will hope to meet with the countries of his choice before and after the elections. I apologize for the inconvenience to your busy schedule, but..."

"That's all right. It would be a good opportunity. It is a rare occasion for countries from all over the world to meet together..."

To Minegishi, who sounded apologetic, PM Izumikawa shook his head from side to side and replied with a smile.

The countries that have offered to observe the elections include the three major powers, the Altian Empire, the Shorteria-San Empire, and the Crossnellyard Empire, as well as the Ilamania Kingdom and the Mystania Kingdom on the Northaroia Island, the Rovania Kingdom on the Far East, the Johan Republic of the Juperia Continent, and the Elmstacia Empire on the Annan Continent, among the 21 countries. The Maritime Self-Defense Force and other shipping companies were to dispatch vessels to escort the delegation to the far-flung countries.

With only about a month remaining until the announcement of the House of Councillors election, a huge political event was approaching, and the Japanese political and business worlds were in a somewhat buoyant mood.

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Palace Imperial Pavilion, Lithianburg, Crossnellyard Empire

In the capital of the world's largest empire, there is a palace where the Anglem Imperial Family, which rules the country, resides. In the imperial family's living quarters, known as the Imperial Pavilion, the 27th Emperor Jettis IV, Empress Levicca Hoelzerer Anglem, and the emperor's half-sister, Princess Theopha Rae Anglem, can be seen.