[War] Japan: "Grudging Complaint"

[Ian Martell]

"Grudging Complaint"

Prime Minister Shunichi Sato

Japan

June 23rd 2014

---------------------------------



Sato was glad he was feeling a bit more himself today; otherwise he would have laughed Fukeda right out of his office. As it was he smiled and replied. "You want us to lecture the Canadians on the dangers of protectionism?" 

 

Jotaro Fukeda the Minister of Trade, nodded, with the slightest of smiles.

 

Sato shook his head and chuckled. "And what do you think we should say to Mr. McColl about it?" he asked.

 

"It would be looked upon well by our business community if we could make some gesture of displeasure at the recent Canadian legislation."

 

Don't hold your breath, Sato thought, McColl seemed like he was taking this seriously. "Very well," Sato agreed. "I assume the MoJ will be putting a case before the WTO on this matter?" 

 

Fukeda nodded. "The Minister did mention that he has people looking at it."

 

"Very well," he said. "Tell him to keep it in his pocket for now, I will send a message of our displeasure to the Canadians and attempt to settle this diplomatically. If not."

 

Sato made a gesture to imply it was out of his hands. Fukeda nodded. "There was also some grumbling from our friends in the business community, that we should perhaps shift ourselves away from importing Canadian oil, to send a message."

 

"We can't afford to play politics with our petroleum supply," Sato said. "However we can change the name of the Canadian bacon in the Diet cafeteria to something else if you'd like?"  

 

Fukeda snorted but didn't sound that amused. 

 

"Ultimately, we don't import enough from the Canadians through Japan Oil to make much of a dent in things," he held up a hand to stay Fukeda's comment. "And we don't have to. Plummeting investor confidence and the American lawsuit will take care of things. The Canadians have already cut their own throat, there is no need for us to prick them with a pin for the sake of our pride."

 

Nodding Fukeda asked. "What do we tell our friends in the business community?" 

 

"The truth, that they have the power to send a far bigger message than we do, however respecting their valued contribution to this country.

 

And my campaign, he added in his head.

 

"We will use all of our diplomatic tools to settle this before anyone's bottom line is too badly hurt."

 

Sato checked the calendar on his desk. There was still enough time left in the current session of the Diet to put something through.

 

"Also tell them you will be putting forward a motion in the Diet, formally chastising the Canadian government for this."

 

Fukeda blinked dully. "I will?" he asked.

 

"Yes," Sato said patiently. "To show our friends that we are taking care of their interests."

 

Fukeda smiled. "I see, thank you Mr. Prime Minister."

 

Sato waved the thanks away. "Think nothing of it. Anyhow, that I think should make them happy, don't you?"

 

Fukeda nodded. "Yes, of course."

 

Sato rose from his seat, a sign the meeting was over, and Fukeda followed his lead and Sato showed the newly minted cabinet minister across his office. 

 

"Thank you very much for this opportunity," Fukeda said speaking of his new post. "I hope I will not let you down."

 

Sato nodded. "I am sure you will do fine," Sato assured him. "Though make sure your people have the Foreign Ministry look at your proposed resolution, we need to make sure that the Canadians know we are angry, but not too angry."

 

"Yes sir," Fukeda said. "It will be couched in the proper diplomatic language."

 

"Good," Sato said. "Anyhow, thank you for your visit Fukeda-san."

 

The man bowed deeply and held it, and with nothing further to say, turned and left the Prime Minister's office, carefully closing the door behind him. 

 

Sato let out a sigh. The problem with filling the cabinet with pliable Ministers was none of them were very interesting. Still, he had Inukai and Jonouch and as Sakai loyalists they were very interesting, as well as very capable. Which of course meant that they both wanted his job, however so long as they *both* wanted it, he didn't worry about them teaming up and he certainly didn't worry about his ministers like Fukeda. 

 

He ran a hand across his close shaven graying hair as he walked back to his desk and chuckled. Having climbed this peak himself, he knew its secret; there was no glorious reward, just a much more arduous climb. Still smiling he sat back down and got back to work, and hoped that the Bodhisattva would be merciful on them.

 

Actions:

 

1>    Trade Minister Fukeda will put forward a resolution in the Diet to chastise the Canadian government about its recent takeover legislation. 

2>    Otherwise Japan will let the market and the Americans handle this one.

3>    . and if they fail, the Ministry of Justice will move forward with a lawsuit of their own before the WTO. 
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