[War] Japan: "Invitations"

[Ian Martell]

"Invitations"
Prime Minister Shunichi Sato
Japan
Aug 2 2014
------------------------

Akira made his way into the Prime Minister's office after the Finance 
Minister and his people left.

The Finance Minister was still sore about no longer being Deputy Prime 
Minister and it showed, however, aware of his tenuous position in the 
hierarchy at the PMO Akira didn't comment as he closed the doors to the PM's 
office and made his way to stand before Sato's desk.

Sato was looking over the notes from the meeting and nodded and handed them 
back to Yurika. "Thank you," he said.

The Prime Minister was a renowned technophobe and the notes were actually 
hand written. Obstinacy was a perk of power the young man supposed.

Sato caught the look at the legal pad and smiled. "I am not about to grow 
out my hair into a top knot and begin assassinating foreign barbarians," he 
joked, referring to the samurai hold outs of the early Meiji era who opposed 
westernization and by in large were luddites.

Akira nodded. "No sir," he said.

Sato snorted. "What do you have for me?"

"The Ministry of Foreign Affairs sent over the final drafts of the 
invitation letters, as well as a rough proposal of the schedule, of course 
we will be making changes as the invited countries add their input."

"What's the gist of it?" he asked.

"The invitation or the schedule?"

"Both."

Akira nodded and opened the leather bound folder in his hands and read the 
invitation. It was standard diplomatic fare, urging the leaders to come to 
the summit, bring their families, and enjoy a five day summit to discuss the 
expansion of the anti-piracy task force and the creation of an 
anti-narcotics task force as well as a general increase of enforcement 
against terrorism.

The Prime Minister nodded. "Sounds good, and those who are not currently 
members of our Southeast Asian Trade Agreement?"

"They will be receiving the offer to discuss joining the agreement."

"Excellent. Now the schedule?"

"Well in keeping with the business customs of the region, we've scheduled 
the first day after everyone arrives for entertainment. We'll have opening 
remarks, the usual multi-leader press conference, and welcoming formalities 
and exchange of gifts, and then we'll be touring the Nagano area, and then 
returning to the resort for the welcoming dinner, after which there will be 
time for the leaders to enjoy the resort's hot springs and socialize."

"What did they decide on the matter of drinking?"

"That we should perhaps avoid it, while for some it is a form a bonding, 
however for the Muslims."

"Yes, yes, religious restrictions, and if the drinkers are living it up 
together the Muslims might feel isolated and less willing to cooperate. I 
understand."

"Liquor will be supplied to the rooms of those who are known to enjoy it," 
Akira said.

Sato nodded. "After the first day?"

"The families will be going off to tour Japan with your daughter, and we'll 
start the actual summit with the issue of expanding the anti-piracy task 
force first."

"Good," Sato said. "The rest we can negotiate with the others, thank you."

Akira nodded. "Then I should tell Foreign Affairs we are happy with 
everything?"

"Run it by Misato in Public Affairs, but yes, I am happy with it."

"Yes sir."

Actions:

1>	Offer the Philippines, Vietnam and Laos as well as Singapore (again) to 
join the same limited free trade agreement enjoyed by Indonesia, Thailand 
and Malaysia. (Covered in "While We Wait" March 2007 and WR 2 May 2007)
2>	Formally invite the leaders of: Australia, New Zealand, Vietnam, Laos, 
Thailand, Burma, Singapore, the Philippines, Malaysia and Indonesia to the 
Nagano Summit to discuss: a) Expanding the anti-piracy task force to 
include: Australia Vietnam, Laos, Burma (we know it won't happen) and New 
Zealand; b) Create an anti-Narcotics task force sharing information and 
cooperating in enforcement and alternative measures of reducing the drug 
trade. c) An agreement to expand enforcement efforts against terror with 
assistance of Japanese money and technology.
3>	Discuss some of general plans for the summit.