[War] Japan: "Living Under the Sword"

[Ian]

"Living Under the Sword"
Prime Minister Shunichi Sato
Japan
10 March 2014
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Sato had just about finished for the day when the phone on his desk rang without a word from his secretary. Few people could do that, so he picked it up at once.

"Sato," he said.

"It's Jonouchi," replied the Foreign Minister.

"You really should just move to my office," Sato joked. "What is going on?"

"The Russians have contacted us, they're inviting us to a summit to discuss the North Korea situation, apparently the Chinese and North Koreans are coming."

Sato smiled. "You're repeating yourself."

Jonouchi chuckled. "Yes, I suppose I am."

"Very well and the other players?"

"No word on the US or South Korea."

Sato leaned back, that was interesting, without either of them this was going to be nothing more than what was the American word? Bitching session and if attended by Japan would only widen the gulf between the mad superpower and the land of the rising sun.

"Call our Ambassadors in Seoul and Washington, see if they can discover the American's and the South Korean's intent. I don't want to be the only one there representing 'our side'; or we will end up branded as on 'their side'."

Jonouchi made an agreeing noise. "I think we should also speak to Moscow and let them know our position and our willingness to help resolve this matter in any way possible."

Snorting a laugh Sato replied. "Yes of course, but what an odd world we live in, Japan and Russia are trying to hold the world togeather, while China speaks of democracy and justice and the US pushes the world to the brink of disaster. In the old days I'd have to write a haiku."

Jonouchi laughed. "The winds of spring blow cold. A rain of steel threatens us. All the world is ill."

"Very good," Sato joked. "Lets be glad you are a good minister, you'd make a horrible poet."

They shared a laugh despite the fact the joke was not that funny nor was their situation. They had been doing that more often, laughing, Sato figured it was what the Samurai had called, living under the sword, accepting one's situation, good or bad, and enjoying both.

"Call the Cabinet," he instructed the Foreign Minister. "Anyone who is free can come to the Kantei for drinks, we need to laugh Jonouchi-kun, our friends and enemies aren't but we need to."

Jonouchi chuckled. "Of course," he said and they hung up and got ready to relax.

Actions:

1. Check on the US and South Korean's see that they are attending the summit.
2. Given John's ooc post, Japan will attend.
3. Contact the Russians and relay, yeah, we're scared too, lets work togeather in navigating this mess.





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