Japan
Japan

Japan is an island country in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south. The characters that make up Japan's name mean "sun-origin", which is why Japan is sometimes referred to as the "Land of the Rising Sun".

Japan is one of the few nations in the world to relax formerly restrictive SLC-Expressive legislation and has seen a tremendous boost in its economy since those changes were made in 2013. Japan witnessed the catastrophe of the Second American Civil War with a clear focus on the socioeconomic impact and — unlike nations like the UK — stepped back from their restrictive control and began to enact change on an international scale. This relaxing of restrictions for SLC-Expressives has brought immediate political backlash from China and the EU.

Government

Japan's current Prime Minister is Satoshi Uchida, a liberal-leaning appointee who assumed his position in 2015 and the second consecutive pro SLC-Expressive Prime Minister. Under Uchida's guidance he has pursued initiatives started by former Prime Minister Maresuke Matsushita and continued the relaxation of Japan's draconian governance of SLC-Expressive peoples. The government of Japan has endeavored to build strong bridges with the United States following the conclusion of the Second American Civil War, and Japanese corporations such as Yamagato Industries have helped facilitate these relations.

Rights of the Evolved

Rights of SLC-Expressive people in Japan has been a contentious topic for years. From 2007 to 2013 increasingly restrictive and draconian measures were taken to register and control Japan's Evolved population. This inevitably created violent friction between the general public, international communities, and human rights organizations. Following the conclusion Second American Civil War, Japan appointed Prime Minister Maresuke Matsushita who began a reversal of previous administration's restrictions, though not to the extent that America has experienced since 2013. These loosening restrictions have continued to improve since the appointment of Prime Minister Satoshi Uchida in 2015.

At present SLC-Expressive of Class 2 or lower have no restrictions placed upon them by the Japanese government. Class 3 and above are restricted to specific communities, typically in remote corners of Japan. there are only three such communities in Japan, located in Shinkoji, Nakatonbersucho, and Nijima. These communities have populations between 50 to 100 Evolved and are low-middle class residences with high security. Though they are not prison camps, restricted movements of Class 3 and higher residents prevent them from maintaining ordinary lives. Class 3 and higher Evolved are also required to wear a metal identification bracelet that must be visible at all times. This bracelet matches the identification on their Registry card and clearly labels their ability in large text.

This restriction is lifted for Class 3 and higher Evolved who agree to a psych evaluation and long-term government employment. Evolved who are operating in service to the Japanese government are retroactively assigned Class 1 for the tenure of their service.

Registration (The National Japanese Registry)

In the wake of the 2007 revelation of the Evolved by then US Senator Nathan Petrelli, the nation of Japan entered a feverish state of panic and paranoia involving the potential presence of the Evolved within their nation and among their people. A brave trio of government employees working for the Japanese Self Defense Force — Reiji Nakamoto, Jiro Natsume and Hiroshi Seto — came out to the public that they have known about their Evolved abilities since the 2006 solar eclipse, leading to their immediate arrest and imprisonment by the Japanese government.

Public outrage involving the imprisonment of these JSDF members, and the following international outrage, resulted in a motion of no confidence sweeping through the House of Representatives, resulting in the resignation of Prime Minister Kazundo Gouda and the release of the "Tokyo Three" as international media had dubbed them on August 25th, 2007.

Following their release a tumultuous period of unrest destabilized Japan in the weeks that followed between Gouda's resignation and the Diet's appointment of the new Prime Minister Taro Aso. Aso's first act as Prime Minister was the establishment of the Japanese National Registry, modeled after the Linderman Act's Evolved Registry in the United States. In Japan, the American term "Evolved" coined by Nathan Petrelli finds common nomenclature, however the term Shinka-jin is interchangeable in scientific communities within Japan.

The Japanese National Registry, it is coded by "Classifications" of Evolved. Class 1 Evolved possess "harmless abilities that cannot cause physical or psychological damage to others nor can be used for espionage applications", Class 2 Evolved possess abilities that fall outside of the boundaries of Class 1, but are not considered significant dangers to public or national security, Class 3 Evolved are considered potential risks to national and public security and possess limited ability to move freely within the country and are required make monthly check-ins with a government sponsor. Class 4 Evolved are "undeniable threats to public or national security" and are required to reside in government-sanctioned residences. Class 2 or 3 Evolved with any criminal record are indefinitely incarcerated.

At present, all Japanese citizens are blood tested for the Suresh Linkage Complex at birth and all extant Japanese citizens are tested every 5 years as they renew their registration cards (a process intended to screen out false negatives).

Law Enforcement

With the intention to keep public security and Evolved affairs under control, the Special Evolved-Crimes Military-Aid Taskforce dubbed the Mugai-ryu were established in March of 2009 to assist the JSDF and local law-enforcement in situations of Evolved presence during disputes or conflicts.

For the next two years the situation in Japan stabilized, until a disastrous Evolved on Evolved battle in Tokyo resulted in catastrophic damage and an international affair better known as the Shibuya Incident. Following this violent incident and spurred on by a growing faction of Anti-Evolved revolutionaries within the poorer districts of the country, the Japanese government instated a state of martial law across Tokyo.

One month later then Prime Minister Aso established that the Mugai-Ryu were taking primary control of all law-enforcement within Tokyo's boundaries, resulting in the establishment of the Tokyo Restricted Zone and the beginning of construction of a walled border around the city.

Evolved citizens have a 1-strike criminal policy. Any criminal conviction by an SLC-E citizen results in jail time and reclassification to Class 3. Non-citizens who are SLC-Expressive and are convicted of a crime in Japan risk indefinite imprisonment.

Travel

Entry to the nation of Japan was once restricted to only SLC-Non-Expressive travelers. This restriction held until 2014 when the travel ban was listed, provided the traveler could prove registration of their Expressive or Non-Expressive status with their home government. Case-by-case denials are still issued depending on the nature of the individual and any criminal backgrounds. Any ping of criminal activity on an SLC-E traveler looking to enter Japan usually results in a denial.

Within Japan, travel is largely unrestricted except within the borders of Tokyo. As of July 2010 the city of Tokyo is surrounded by a thirty-five foot tall concrete wall and entrance into the city is restricted through JSDF checkpoints. Japanese citizens up to Class 2 Evolved may freely enter Tokyo's boundaries, though non-citizens may be permitted inside with special government dispensation and waivers — typically provided by corporations who are expecting international business guests, such as Yamagato Industries.

Independent Corporate Powers

One major change within the political landscape of Japan is the nation's recognition of some corporations are independent sovereign territories. Notably, Yamagato Industries has been recognized as a Non-National Independent Entity allowing Yamagato Industries properties to be treated as international territory under the governance of Yamagato Industries. This effectively allows corporations with this exemption, while within Japanese international boundaries, to act as their own nation irrespective of local laws. Many of these mega-corporations employ a high percentage of SLC-E individuals and provide independent living within the international boundaries of Japan without fear of Japan's still-restrictive laws.

Major IC Events

Japan in the News

May 17, 2010

CHANNEL 2:WCBS-TV, CBS

" — think about just what it means to national security to have the FRONTLINE act passed. When you look at the global scale of things, this isn't that much different from the recently instated Mugai-ryu that the JSDF instated two months ago. While FRONTLINE is going to be a wider-spread pattern of defense, the notion of utilizing the specialized tools the Evolved present for the betterment of protecting our nation's internal defenses is pretty simple. I, for one, think that — "

May 22, 2009

TOKYO, Japan — On the 21st of May, CEO of Yamagato Industries Kaito Nakamura was found dead in parklands not a few blocks from his office building. It has been confirmed that Nakamura was murdered, but no suspect has been identified. Officials have not yet confirmed whether the break ins on such buildings owned by Nakamura that have occurred in the last week are in any way connected to his murder, and his family and colleagues have not yet been made available to give a statement on this tragic event.

June 19, 2010

JAPAN — In the wake of the disastrous Shibuya Indicent, Japan's Prime Minister Taro Aso has declared a state of martial law in the region of Tokyo. This move has appointed the Special Evolved-Crimes Military-Aid Taskforce — The Mugai-ryu — as the primary law-enforcement within the city. A mandatory curfew has been instituted, as well as road-blocks and restricted internet access in and out of the metropolis.

The Mugai-Ryu, which number roughly 120, are an elite unit of hand-picked Evolved soldiers drafted from the Japanese military, designed to aid in internal defense and policing. Since their founding in March of 2009, the Mugai-ryu have not yet been mobilized, and this declaration of Martial Law is their first field operation.

In retalliation to the declaration, a group of Japanese dissidents have begun an underground resistance to the Prime Minister's appointment of the Mugai-ryu. Fearful of this as the first step towards a totalitarian regime, this rebellious faction has begun trafficking citizens out of Tokyo and into the outlying countryside, while aiding in the trafficking of relatives of those trapped inside of Tokyo in.

Reports within Japan indicate that all foreign visitors to Japan registered as Evolved by their passports are not having their Visas renewed, and are being forced to leave the country immediately or face stiff punishment by the Japanese government.

July 22, 2010

JAPAN — One year and one month since the establishment of the Tokyo Restricted Zone following the Shibuya Incident in May of 2009, construction has been completed on the thirty-five foot tall concrete wall surrounding the city of Tokyo as boundary for the Restricted Zone.

This event coincides with Prime Minister Taro Aso's establishment of the Public Security Section of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the new head offices of the Mugai-ryu which have been serving as the primary law-enforcement body within Tokyo since the June of 2009. The Public Security Section of the Ministry of Home Affairs re-establishes the chain of command of Japan's national defense and intelligence departments and is comparable to the restructuring of the United States' national security agencies following the inception of the Department of Homeland Security.

The Public Security Section's primary task is the enforcement of the Japanese National Registry and the neutralization of Evolved threats within the boundaries of the nation of Japan, officially expanding the Mugai-ryu's authority beyond the walls of the Tokyo Restricted Zone.

This move comes just one month ahead of a proposed plan to relocate certain Evolved out of Tokyo, further narrowing the rights of Evolved to travel freely within Japan. At current, Evolved of different classifications (similar to the American tiering system) are not allowed to travel to certain portions of Tokyo. Category 1 Evolved who "do not possess abilities capable of physical harm or applications that could be used for espionage" have freedom of movement within the city, while Category 2 and 3 Evolved have narrower restrictions.

As of the end of August it is expected that all Evolved of Category 2 and higher will begin their removal from the city to planned Evolved communities across the country.

Since their in-statement in 2009 following the Shibuya Incident, the Mugai-ryu have bolstered their numbers from 150 to 327 Evolved members.

March 11, 2011

JAPAN — A ferocious tsunami spawned by one of the largest earthquakes ever recorded that slammed Japan's eastern coast Friday, killing thousands as it swept away boats, cars and homes while widespread fires burned out of control.

However the tragedy of this disaster was mitigated by a singularly heroic act in the coastal city of Sendai in the Miyagi prefecture. Residents of Sendai are comprised largely of SLC-Expressive individuals exiled from the city of Tokyo during the formation of the Tokyo Restricted zone. One such resident, Toshiro Kanehama (78), is reported to have been solely responsible for the city's protection from the ensuing tsunami.

In the wake of the earthquake's first shakes, Kanehama was spotted by eye-witnesses on a coastal beach in preparation for the tidal wave. Witnesses claim that Kanehama stood in view of the 23-foot (seven meter) high wave approaching Sendai, and "clapped his hands together, then pulled them apart and split the wave in two parts."

Home video of the event was taken by several of the eye-witnesses and show Kanehama parting the wave around the coast of Sendai, diminishing the wave's size and sending it crashing away from his home. Kanehama collapsed after the incident and emergency medical personnel who arrived hours later were unable to revive him. It is believed the strain of parting the wave caused his collapse, but it could be weeks before a definitive cause of death can be ascertained.

Prime Minister Taro Aso has yet to make a public announcement regarding Kanehama's heroic defense of his home, though the Ministry of Home Affairs has confirmed that Kanehama was a former resident of Tokyo removed to Sendai during the formation of the restricted zone in June of last year.

According to recent estimates, 100 people may have been killed in the tsunami on the island of Honshu, though this number could have been dramatically higher were it not for Kanehama's act of heroism.

The Ministry of Home Affairs has deployed SLC-Expressive specialists from Public Security Section 5 to combat fires raging near Sendai from a refinery that erupted during Friday afternoon's quake as well as to three nuclear power plants that are believed to be in a state of near meltdown. Accurate numbers on casualties will be made available as the exact damage caused by the quake is made clear.

March 16, 2011

JAPAN — Representatives from the Japan's Nuclear and Industrial Safety Agency have confirmed rumors that employees at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear reactor that have been struggling to bring it under control since Friday have withdrawn from the facility.

According to sources within Nuclear Safety Commission, the workers were unable to cool the reactor's fuel rods down and do not believe that they can successfully prevent a total meltdown. The other three fare better, presently, thanks to the efforts of Public Security Section 5 and Japan's FRONTLINE analogue, the Mugai-Ryu.

Robotic drones were utilized in the other reactors, replacing workers that had fled for fear of exposure to radiation above safe working levels. Mugai-Ryu drone specialist Asi Tetsuyama is credited for spearheading this initiative.

The situation at the Fukushima Daiichi reactor, however, is beyond the capabilities for recovery and prevention, leading to concerns of a meltdown that could cause a catastrophic release of radiation into the countryside with a greater ecological impact than the fallout from the 2006 nuclear explosion in New York City.

Information revealed to the Associated Press today reveals that Japan has reached out to the United States to help resolve the problem at the reactor. The Department of Defense has offered to send SLC-Expressive specialists and scientists from the Commonwealth Institute of Massachusetts to Japan as soon as the end of the month to resolve the situation at the reactor.

This is a major concession to the Japanese government's lock-out of foreign SLC-Expressive individuals entering the country. Since July of last year, the country has disallowed any foreign traveler presenting as SLC-Positive from entering the country, following the formation of the Tokyo Restricted Zone where SLC-Expressive Japanese are no longer allowed to enter.

Criticism of Japan's handling of the "Evolved" situation has risen again following the selfless sacrifice of Toshiro Kanehama on Friday, preventing the tsunami wave off of Japan's coast from hitting the city of Sendai, but diverting the majority of the water flow north and south.

Spokesman Katsuhiko Jinnai from Public Security Section 5 has stated that while Kanehama's actions saved countless lives in Sendai, the diversion of the wave north and south may have contributed to further damages in those regions, heightening casualty rates.

At present, Japan remains unified in the face of the ecological disaster the nation faces, but the resolution of the crisis and the reliance on SLC-Expressive abilities to handle it could permanently impact future Japanese relations with their differently expressed genetic relatives.

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