[color=gold][center][h2][b][u]Imperial Republic of Fuso[/u][/b][/h2]

[img]https://landofgoddesses.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/800px-flag_of_the_japanese_emperor-svg.png[/img]

[i]"A man looks to the past for inspiration, but looks to the future for progress."[/i]
~ The Book of Rising Suns


Spring 1911

[hr][hr][/center][/color]
Spring had come early this year. The cherry blossoms bloomed their bright petals earlier than normal and the people enjoyed such omens of good luck. The sakura cherry blossom was a unique tree found only in Fuso for the most part, the pink flowers long since represent a multitude of good things in Fuso's history; wealth, happiness, fortune, good harvest, there was a reason why it had been long considered one of the "holy jewels of Fuso". The populace would soon begin wearing pendants in made of sakura petals and trinkets crafted in the shape of the lovely flower in hopes of the luck and fortune it would bring.

Of course, those fortunate miracles were no mere acts of god. No, they had to be made by the labor of those who worked behind the scenes to ensure the progress, prosperity and protection of the divine Imperial Republic. For every new machine that promised to better people's lives, there were those who had to draft it, approve it, inspect it and produce it. For every new discover which would no doubt change the lives of millions, there was a legion of civil servants, researchers, officials, scientists and bureaucrats who carefully watched every step of the way.

It had been the pride of Fuso of being the "advancing crown of the east", but such things required a delicate touch to handle, a careful balance of speeches, displays and outside assistance. Most often in the form of those from the west whose technological capabilities had far surpassed that of the eastern lands. The Kingdom of Acheona often came up in such topics, either officially or not, the Acheonans had a long standing role in Fuso's development. And as of recently, several enterprising individuals came forth and offered a host of new products, theories and ideas in hopes of landing one of the coveted positions at the "Fuso Western Consulate". The FWC was the modern face of Fuso's western interests and those who sought to either assist or make a profit off of Fuso's situation.

People from Acheona occupied a respectable number of open positions in the FWC although that's not to say the minds of other nations haven't sought out a spot for themselves in the FWC. The organization was often attached to domestic research groups and institutes as aid and advisors to Fuso's own pet projects as well as acquiring any foreign supplements and equipment at a rate which normal trade could not compete at. Just recently the FWC had assisted the Meiji University School of Life Science with a new type of fertilizer, synthesized from western chemicals and enriched with native Fusan techniques. Such prospects was well received by both the Senate and the Imperial Court.

Regarding other news which received warm, cordial applaud from the government, Admiral Tananambo Tosuki, better known as Admiral Tanto by his own request, published his first major paper "Gendai no jidai no jūyō-sei to kaijō-sen, senjutsu to tenkai no eikyō" (the importance and influence of naval warfare, tactics and deployment in the modern era). Controversial in naval circles, Admiral Tanto's paper makes bold remarks on traditional usage and view of the Dai-Fuso Teikoku Kaigun, Imperial Fusan Navy or simply the IFN. One notable spotlight he casts in on the "Fireship Doctrine", an old tactic that has seen service in Fusan as well as select parts of Faresia since the age of warlords and clans.

[quote=Gendai no jidai no jūyō-sei to kaijō-sen, senjutsu to tenkai no eikyō][i]"While honorable no doubt, heavily damaged ships can still be salvaged for use in other operations such a repairs or even coastal fortification... if we are to sacrifice the workable steel of an old ship and the men of a crew who have seen battle, then this is surely a foolish mistake in the long scheme of things and the big picture... what use is there for honor if there is no one left to tell the brave tale?"[/i][/quote]
Such is only another story of a nation who seeks balance of old and new. Regardless, the Naval Command Committee has released its own version of Tanto's work containing only new ideas and tactics regarding the honorable IFN, stripped of any ideological or controversial subjects. Despite some hesitance from some officers, many Fusan captains are now going over the new tactics themselves as up and coming officers-in-training are now being shown the revised work in their curriculums.

The new work's official release is set to coincide with a recently built destroyer of the IFN's ever expanding force. Admiral Tanto has given multiple public statements of approval of the new Hashima-class's, the [i]Chikihiro[/i], "modern arms and advanced construction and engineering".