Author’s Notes: Okay, first of all, I AM NOT A POLITICAL SCIENCE MAJOR.  I am an International Studies major…or I will be at least.  Just got out of High School in June and I only have my European History class to base any theory off of (and that’s not a lot, mind you, so if you find something that’s utterly ridiculous, please feel free to email/IM me and we can talk and I’ll see if I can fix the story so it’s not so blatantly obvious that I don’t know what I’m talking about).  I started formulating this story…awhile ago, probably around the time that I realized I liked making Japanese pretty-boys cry.  *laughs evilly*  o.O;  And no, Dereni aka strawberrykuma, I haven’t forgotten about Tenant.  =^.^=  Thanks to everyone who’s given me words of support and helpful suggestions (especially those who read the outline so long ago).  And last but not least…

 

THIS STORY IS DEDICATED TO MY FRIEND ANDIEE(EEEEEE~) FOR HER BELATED BIRTHDAY!  HAPPY BDAY ANDIEE!  *snuggles*

 

 

 

 

In 2004, Japan’s economy suffered an unexpected collapse, resulting in a severe depression which swept across the nation like a plague and lasted almost ten years.  Countless thousands lost their jobs, yet there was the select few, the elite, whose purses, though pinched, were never quite empty.  The government attempted to uphold the capitalist ideals set forth in Japan’s constitution while still giving financial aid to the general populace, without much success, and veered away from any potentially socialistic reforms. 

 

Unfortunately, since those who did recover with the support of the government’s multitude of economic aid programs were few and far between, radical groups forming against the Diet began to rear their heads across the nation.  These groups ranged from Communist supporters and sympathizers to the milder humanists.  One demand was common with all of them: immediate reform of the government’s policies of spending.   As many of the suggested reforms had socialist theory behind them, the politicians turned a deaf ear to the factions.

 

Hearing of the indignation the separate groups had suffered, many civilians joined the ranks of the protestors.  Riots broke out in several large cities, such as Tokyo and Kyoto, many of which ended in unfortunate civilian casualties.  The violence only served to make the radical factions stronger, some even banding together to swell their ranks. 

 

At this point, an extremist underground resistance, led by several leaders of the largest radical groups, began planning a coup d’état of the current government.  In 2012, it had gained enough support throughout the nation to put its plan into motion.  That spring, the insurgents took control of the government, including the Emperor and his family as well as political advisors, through pointed and restrained political assassinations and blackmail.  The reigning Diet was at first dismissed, but then recalled, and finally purged of any and all possible political enemies.  This purge was not only felt throughout the government offices, but also throughout the civilian population.  Members of separate radical groups who had opposed the seditious thoughts of a coup were “eliminated,” as were their families and any close personal ties that were deemed “dangerous.”

 

After the coup, and the follow purge, the reformed Diet immediately set forth reform bills.  Thankfully, almost all of the bills aided the nation and the economy was on the way to recovery.  Commerce soared and jobs became more abundant than they had been in over a decade. 

 

However, there was still the question of the media.  Though the new government had almost complete control over the newspapers and television, it had little if any control over the music industry.  Artists could still write and publish pretty much anything, as long as their label would allow, or risk, it.  The Diet focused its attention on grasping the throat of countless influential musicians who, it knew, had the power to change the views of the masses with a single, five-track mini-album.  At first it attempted reforms on the music industry, placing limits and codes on lyrics (what would be allowed/tolerated) and then on how many and what kind of releases would be acceptable.  When artists continued to find loopholes in the laws, and continued to hire the best lawyers in Japan, the government resorted to blackmail and frame.  Unfortunately, many of the artists who would not cower under the government’s wing received mild sentences, many more were able to pay bail or fines, and their popularity sky-rocketed.

 

Frightening enough, in one case, the government proved it was not above murder.  The infamous Takarai Hidetou case found an innocent man guilty of brutally murdering both his wife and daughter.  This caused several artists to rethink their values, and even caused some to flee the country in fear for their lives and the lives of their loved ones.  Others stayed on, incurably defiant of foul play.

 

As its attention continued to fall upon the impudence of the media, the Diet began to sweep Japan’s growing economic troubles under the rug and out of the way, determined to discipline the insolent few…