REIWA JIGOKUHEN - Chaotic Disturbance of Reiwa Era

Chapter 53 - Rumbling

Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo: National Diet Building

The Diet was a little quieter. This is because several of the rowdier ones are no longer physically able to come to the House of Representatives. One could say, however, that it just got louder in the other direction. It is not an impediment to the continuation of the war, so it is probably a welcome change, but one couldn't help but feel uncomfortable about it.

"Anyway, Prime Minister, the people demand the immediate subjugation of the American Empire as soon as possible and the securing of resources!"

A stray member of the opposition party was screaming like a rabid dog.

"And we will do whatever it takes to achieve that goal. You once said that, and I totally agree with you. So what kind of strategy will be used to defeat the American Empire and seize its resources? In particular, the Self-Defense Forces have recently been engaged only in fighting against the Soviet Union, and there are concerns about the depletion of ammunition and fuel... I would like to hear what the Prime Minister thinks about this point!"

"Prime Minister Kato."

Upon receiving the nomination from the chairperson, Kato slowly stood up. The questioner, who was giving him a strange look, gave him the impression that he had always been obstructive to the activities of the SDF, especially when it came to security matters. In the past, he had always stated that he was against building a base because it would make them a target of an attack, or some other nonsensical things.

No—perhaps the argument has not changed, it's just the target that had changed.

For example, the previous argument could be converted to the argument that since there is a base, it should be attacked, and that it is wrong to put a base there. In fact, that's all they hear these days. The group that insisted on surrendering rather than going to war now wants the US to be destroyed by war if it does not surrender, and anti-nuclear groups are now calling for the US to be made a nuclear-weapon state and obligated to abolish nuclear weapons. Perhaps this must have been how it was immediately after the war. Or perhaps they were originally anti-American activists, and were now renewed by the fact that they can fight the "evil American Empire" to their heart's content. With these thoughts in mind, Kato took the podium.

"For the upcoming war against the United States of America... you are probably aware that it will take place on the other side of the Pacific Ocean, and that considerable preparations, including an increase in the scale of the Self-Defense Forces and auxiliary forces, will be necessary."

Kato began his answer in this way and then went into details.

"We expect to be able to secure 1,5 times the anticipated amount of equipment, supplies, fuel, and other items needed to carry out the war against the United States. We are currently operating civilian aircraft, ships, and other vessels. Since the operation of commercial aircraft and vessels has been suspended for the most part, it has been determined that the Self-Defense Forces will be able to generate the fuel necessary for its immediate activities by diverting a portion of its fuel reserves. In addition, we have already had companies increase the production of various equipment and supplies to the best of their ability. The impact on the lives of the Japanese people is expected to be minimal, as less than 1% of Japan's industrial production is for defense purposes, and the weapons that will be mass-produced for civilian use are being converted from production lines that are used for exports."

Kato paused for a breath.

"There is no loss of aircraft or naval vessels other than from the time-space cataclysm, and there is no loss of vehicles other than from accidents. The only loss of guided weapons is due to accidents. In the war against the Soviet Union, we have been able to reduce the loss of guided weapons to less than half of the expected level by adopting a strategy of concentrating on destroying enemy command posts, communications infrastructure, supply depots, and other key locations."