Rising Rays of the New Century: Tale of the Japanese Empire

Settings and Glossary

TERMINOLOGY

Demi-Human

A general term for non-human intelligent lifeform in Japan. Some people also call them 'yōkai'. When the Japanese archipelago returned to Earth, a total of 200.000 immigrants, both human and demi-human, moved along with it, with 60.000 or 30% among them are demi-humans. There are currently approximately 120.000 demi-humans of 79 official groups in Japan, including the migrants and their blood relatives. Some of these groups are not recognized by the Japanese government.

Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Consular Affairs Bureau, International Security Measures Division

This department is in charge of ensuring the movement of people in and out of Japan and the safety of Japanese nationals abroad. In effect, it is the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' own investigative agency. It shares the same objective of ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals overseas and has a close cooperative relationship with the National Police Agency Security Bureau's International Crime Prevention and Control Division.

National Police Agency, Security Bureau, International Crime Prevention and Control Division

The International Crime Prevention and Control Division, formerly known as the Counter International Terrorism Division, has been reorganized as an overseas paramilitary task force with expanded personnel and equipment to deal with not only terrorism but also a variety of crimes committed by individuals. In addition to providing intelligence and ensuring the safety of Japanese nationals overseas, the mission of the division is to deploy as a paramilitary force in times of emergency and provide relief to Japanese nationals in cooperation with local security agencies.

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FEATURED COUNTRIES

Japanese Empire, Capital Tokyo

A constitutional monarchy with the Emperor as head of state, Japan began using its current name around 2050. Since it has been physically cut off from the Earth by the transference, it has not been affected by the global economic recession, intensification of ethnic conflicts and riots, and political unrest that began around 2025. Furthermore, the country has gained technological capabilities from the 28th century, making it a major power on par with the United States. The country is semi-enclosed to prevent the influx of refugees and rarely welcomes tourists, except during international events. Although it is a member of the "International Federation," it has expanded its influence to Southeast Asia, mainland China, and South America, and has established its own trade relations. It is also pursuing resource extraction projects on near-Earth asteroids and on the moon's surface.

People's Republic of China, Capital Chongqing

China was unified by the Chinese Communist Party in the mid-20th century, but since the East Asia War, various warlords and ethnic minorities have become independent in various regions, and the country has fallen into a state of rivalry and conflict with neighboring countries that have put pressure on it. The Japanese government has recognized the Republic of East Turkestan, Tibet, the Republic of Hong Kong, and Taiwan/Republic of China, as newly independent countries, and these countries are trading with China as a separate entity. The CCP's influence is limited to the inland areas around Chongqing, and when communicating with other areas, it is customary to negotiate with the warlords who control those areas.

Republic of China, Capital Taipei

Internationally, Taiwan has long been treated as a region of China, but since the East Asia War, which ended in 2024, it has gained independence in both name and reality from the People's Republic of China, which can no longer maintain its "one China" idea. Since Japan's transference, it has followed a pro-American policy and has been strongly influenced by the US. However, after Japan's return, it is switching its foreign policy to pro-Japan.

Republic of Korea, Capital Seoul and Pyongyang

In 2027, three years after the end of the East Asia War, the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea became a unified nation. Although the unification was nominally led by South Korea, it was South Korea that was exhausted by the East Asia War, and since South Korea recovered after the war through resource development in the former North Korean territory, the "Northern Clique" is still dominant in the unified government. Therefore, Kim's power and influence are still strong. The country is also troubled by friction with the military faction that controls the former Manchuria. In foreign policy, Kim has taken a pro-Russian stance.

United States of America, Capital Washington, D.C.

A federal republic with the president as head of state. The fall of China in the East Asia War and the disappearance of Japan in 2025 have dealt a heavy economic blow, causing the Great Depression. Within the US, there were many riots by the unemployed and immigrants, and public safety deteriorated sharply. For its own survival, the federal government, along with Canada, Brazil, Russia, and India, established the International Federation in 2039, an international organization for the survival of only a limited number of major powers. Since then, the US has maintained its international influence as a permanent member of the organization. Once a strong ally of Japan, the US federal government notified the Japanese government of the termination of the Japan-US Security Treaty in 2042. Since then, it has regarded Japan as a virtual enemy. The US-China Security Treaty concluded after the East Asia War has allowed the US to maintain overseas bases in various parts of mainland China, including one in Guam, which surrounds the Japanese territory.

Russian Federation, Capital Moscow

The East Asia War and the disappearance of Japan have dealt this country, without exception, a heavy economic blow. The collapse of security and the economy has intensified the independence movements of various ethnic groups and autonomous republics. In addition, the Russian government used tactical nuclear weapons on local basis to end conflicts, drawing worldwide condemnation. Today, the federation is virtually divided. In order to overcome the national crisis, Russia is expanding its influence into northeastern China and the Korean Peninsula.

European Union (EU)

Europe, where many developed countries used to be located, is now one of the most disputed regions on earth, as the conflict between whites and Muslims has intensified amid the political unrest caused by the collapse of the world economy. Many of the once developed countries are in a state of de facto civil war, especially those in Eastern Europe, where the nations themselves are collapsing.

Republic of Catalonia, Capital Barcelona

The country gained independence in both name and substance from the bankrupt Spanish government when a rise in regional nationalism advocating independence movements occurred around the world. The country was created by the merger of the Spanish autonomous region of Catalonia and the French Pyrénées-Orientales. The Japanese government recognized it as an independent state upon its return from Terralus.