Japan, Nippon-Koku

[Japan (X)]

This thread will include annual updates about all things good, righteous, and powerful in the world (i.e. Japanese). In practice, this will mean updates concerning Japan's domestic, economic, and foreign affairs. The rate of updates will be one per year. Military data will not normally be linked here, I have a Ministry of Defence thread for that (and a rather extensive one, it seems foolish to duplicate that body of work). Nevertheless, I may include military information if it is particularly pertinent to any of the aforementioned trio of interests covered in this factbook.

If you haven't noticed, this will follow the template set by Schwer, and used to great effect by Dax last round. Whether this factbook ends up being more minimalist like Schwer's, or utterly extravagant like Dax's may change from year to year depending on the quantity of events involving Japan, and my own activity.

[Japan (X)]

2012


Internal Affairs

In the latter half of 2012, Japan continued to advance down the seemingly inevitable path of division and fragmentation.
Free trade between Japan and the remainder of the world continued to be broached in public discourse, despite the potentially fundamentally altering affects this may have on Japanese agriculture. A leaked video showing communication between the central government and TEPCO officials during the Fukushima nuclear disaster, turning public opinion, perhaps irrevocably against nuclear energy in Japan; the video also seems to be the final straw in the push for Japan to adopt more restrictive secrecy legislation. Japan's energy policy advanced after a deal with the Russians (read more in the foreign policy section) to provide significant amounts of natural gas to Japan. Japan's internal dispute over what should be done with the internationally divisive Senkaku Islands was resolved when the central government agreed to both nationalize the islands and allow their development, which had previously been avoided in order to stave off confrontation with the Chinese. Finally, Noda's tax reform bill passed hiking the sales tax to first 8%, and then 10% in a 2014-2015 window. The deal also signaled a call for elections, which will be held in late February, 2013.


Foreign Policy

Nation name, change in relations: description where applicable.

Japan, +++: Japan thoroughly satisfied with Japanese foreign policy. Japan accomplished more in the last six months than they have since 1937, an encouraging sign.

India, +++: Indo-Japanese cooperation moved forwards in a million different ways. The nations agreed to work together in space, support each other's economic interests in developing countries, resource extraction, and energy production, and further military ties. Pleasing stuff. Groundwork for India-Japan alliance laid.

Australia, No change: Meeting with Australia slow, unresolved. Australia agreed to join Japanese security cooperation talks.

China, No change: Chinese protests over Senkaku Islands duly noted. Unsure as to whether rapprochement with Beijing over the islands is really worth it. Using them to annoy China may be more fun, and perhaps profitable, too.

Taiwan, -: Rogue province of PRC (likely) pissed off by Japanese nationalization of Senkaku islands. Unlike the mainland, Japan cares little over whether Taiwan's feelings are hurt or not. Pissing them off is more fun, with little benefit to negotiations with the ROC. Curious as to whether Formosa would accept re-annexation to save them from the Godless communists. Seems an unlikely prospect at best, though.

Other Asia, +: Feelers sent to Indonesia and Philippines over Asian security framework. Philippines responded well, Indonesia yet to say anything. Other possible partners include Malaysia, Singapore, South Korea, and New Zealand.

Russia, ++: Meeting with Russia a coup. Russia accepts roughly half of Japan's demands over Northern Territories dispute, allows other half to be decided by plebiscite in 2015. Japan agrees to not whine about the remainder of the islands. Russia also promises to stop irritating the Japanese with strategic bomber flights, practice invasions, and so on within Japan's EEZ. To make matters better, Japan also agrees to invest in Russian Far East (likely to long-term diplomatic and economic benefit for both parties), and agrees to build pipeline for natural gas mentioned above. Relations with Russia improved to their best point in decades, perhaps since the nineteenth century.

Other Europe, -: Japan amused by EU bickering. Spanish and German hysterics mildly concerning. Other European nations seem hell-bent on their path to decadence and decline. Promised to meet with both Germany and Spanish "Southern Europe" summit. Nothing done as yet with either party.

Middle East, No change: Japan watches with amusement as Middle East continues to self-immolate. Feelers for improved relations sent to Tehran, no result as yet.

USA, +: Japan had a profitable meeting with the Americans, who agreed to help reform Japan's agriculture sector once reform is pushed through at a domestic level. The US also stepped up commitment to Japan's defence by allowing deployment and training on American soil, and agreeing to train Japan's Self Defence Forces in carrier operation, including the F-35B STOVL fighter. United States Military deals also proved particularly profitable, with the Americans agreeing to give various sensitive weapons technology to Japan (including the YF-23), allow Japan to develop a carrier support aircraft variant of the Osprey, and also granted generous cut-price deals (thanks to trade ins of various obsolete equipment) for more MLRS and F-35s.

Other Americas, No change: Ecuador appears to be beating a path backwards through history to a military regime. UNASUR front on the issue encouraging, Colombian-Chinese bickering in the UNSC much less so.

Africa, No change: African nations' zany policies and utter destitution bucked by potentially fruitful Nigerian wisdom after scalding from international body over economic policy. Nigeria may prove a worthy partner in future.


Military Affairs

Army, what army? Changes in JSDF can be found here (defence ministry) and here (R&D).