[War] Japan: "The Japanese Response"

[Ian Martell]

“The Japanese Response”
Prime Minister Shunichi Sato
Japan
October 12th 2006

The translated announcement of President Hong’s intentions towards North 
Korea played translated, in the PM’s office as the Prime Minister, Mura, and 
Ministers Takezo and Inoue looked on.

A broad smile played on Sato’s features as the speech came to an end. “Well 
it seems Hong Xia’s surprised us again.”

“What was the first surprise?” asked Inoue lightly.

“Becoming President,” Sato said. “I thought that Obuchi-san would be the 
first woman leader in East Asia.”

They smiled. “Well,” Sato continued. “This bares some consideration, 
thoughts gentlemen?”

Takezo spoke first as he was the senior man present. “Well I would begin any 
response with our unconditional support for this action and assurances to 
the Chinese government that this will cause us to look favourably on them in 
our next round of trade negotiations, this I think will help somewhat in 
smoothing over the feathers in the Politburo ruffled by this bold move. She 
can hold up this up as a move to gain greater international approval.”

Sato nodded. “Do you think we could get others on this?”

Takezo nodded. “South Korea could fall either way on this, but I think we 
could convince the French, British and Germans at least to voice their 
support for this move and others would follow suit.”

“Good,” Sato said.

“Also I want you to begin the punishment plan today,” he said. “Get our 
allies in line to join the embargo, even if now with a Chinese blockade it 
is a moot point, explain to them we are looking at it as a show of support 
to those who are opposing North Korea. Also pass the list of North Korean 
companies around, get those nations who have laws allowing them to take 
action against them to consider following our lead.”

“Of course.”

“Militarily, how do we respond?” he asked Inoue.

“I would suggest we join them, cooperation between our JSDF and the PLA is 
always a good thing and goes far in assuring the world Asia is not about to 
be on fire tomorrow.”

“What sort of cooperation?”

Inoue thought about this. “I’ll put it to Admiral Takayama,” he said at 
last. “The PLA has numbers but we’ve got the better technology, my guess is 
that they’ll want our helicopter destroyers with sub-killer helicopters on 
board to help deal with any potential attacks by the North’s submarine 
fleet, likely our AWACs aircraft to help find surface ships trying to run 
the blockade.”

“Alright, have Takayama send me the final list for approval today, I want to 
speak to Hong quickly.”

Inoue nodded.

“And do we offer them port access?”

Inoue nodded. “Yokosuka in Kyushu and Katsuren on Hokkaido.”

“Do we let them into the Sea of Japan?” asked Sato.

“I’d advise no,” said Inoue. “If we take action to support the KRF we don’t 
want the eyes of the KPA on the Sea of Japan, instead I suggest we send one 
of our submarine divisions into the Sea of Japan to keep a watch on the 
military situation there and give an early warning or intercept North Korean 
subs moving towards the blockade.”

“The Chinese have left the door open to more international participation, do 
we try to drum up support?” he asked both men.

There was a few moments pause as both mulled it over.

“Yes,” said Takezo. “But we don’t waste too much political or financial 
capital to make it happen, the Chinese are the only partners who really 
matter here, they will be hesitant to attack the PLA in fear of provoking a 
war, other nations won’t add much to their fear of starting a war, China is 
worse than pretty much everyone else combined.”

Inoue weighed in. “Still I believe we are going to need a more robust series 
of alliances than just our one with the United States in case of war. The 
Americans will honour their agreements I’m sure, however they are faced with 
two wars already. I suggest we use this opportunity to drum up new allies to 
add to the force we have by being allied to the United States.”

This was an old plan sidelined by other matters in the government but now 
seemed as good a time as any to dust it off.

“Both of you develop a list of nations to approach about joining the 
blockade and forming future military alliances with. Leave out Malaysia and 
Indonesia for now we are still going ahead with the treaty proposals with 
both and even though they’re also involved in both Iraq and Afghanistan 
don’t forget the British, they’ve been good friends of Japan and we cannot 
offend them.”

Both men nodded.

“Good, lets get to the next order of buisness..."

Actions:

1>	Issue a glowing statement of support for China and President Hong in 
particular.
2>	Contact China and offer the following support for the blockade:
Escort Flotilla #1 (Deployed to the South)
-	Helicopter Destroyer: Shirane  (Flagship).
-	Escort Destroyers: Murasame, Harusame, Ikazuchi.
-	Modified Escort Destroyers: Takinami, Onami.
-	Missile Destroyers: Hatakaze, Kirishima.
Escort Division #2 (Deployed to the North)
-	Helicopter Destroyer: Kurama (Flagship)
-	Escort Destroyer: Yudachi, Sawagiri.
-	Modified Destroyers: Makinami.
            Support Ship (deployed South)
-	Refuelling Ship: Towada.

Offer the use of the ports of Yokosuka (South) Katsuren (North) at the same 
terms as they are offering theirs.
3>	Deploy the 1st Submarine Division to the Sea of Japan to keep an eye on 
the North Korean navy in that area, but under orders not to enter the 50mile 
zone claimed by the North. The Exclusive Economic Zone is okay though.
4>	Approach ALL nations Japan has relations with about joining the Japanese 
embargo against the North. To stop trading with them and to keep out any 
planes or ships from their territory owed by North Korea, registered there, 
or going to or from North Korea.
5>	Declare all the North Korean companies operating in Japan as a subversive 
group, detain the North Korean citizens (those who are still under a 
passport) and deport them through Thailand after questioning them, any found 
to be likely intelligence agents will be detained. Asylum seekers will be 
allowed to stay but Koancho has a blank cheque to keep an eye on them while 
in Japan.
6>	Ask allied nations to follow Japan’s example in regards to North Korean 
companies.
7>	Ask: the UK, France, Germany, Peru, Australia, New Zealand, Philippines, 
India, Italy and Canada to join the blockade and offer them a chance to 
discuss a formal military alliance, as well as use of Japanese ports in 
pursuing the blockade.

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