15. Diplomatic Negotiations with Japan 1: Strategy

The day after the Secretaries of the Secretary's Office had debated what to do with my Private Residence, while enjoying a picnic in the natural environment of the Outer Rim, First Layer.

Ain approached me, idly scanning network news at my desk.

"Captain, your Private Residence has completed exterior renovations. Interior work remains, but it's temporarily on hold—waiting for materials like tatami mats from Earth. Also, senior officers from other departments have learned that only we in the Captain's Secretary's Office are eating Earth-produced food. They're requesting to sample Earth cuisine too."

"Of course they would. Compared to tube-based nutrient paste, anyone would crave Earth food—especially Japanese food. If we're to satisfy them, we might as well establish Diplomatic Relations with Japan sooner rather than later."

"Moreover, we'll need to purchase supplies for the captain's Private Residence from Japan or elsewhere, so we'd better initiate diplomatic negotiations sooner rather than later."

Establishing Diplomatic Relations just to furnish one's own home—was that grand ambition or petty bureaucracy?

"I'm not exactly an expert, so could you tell me what exactly needs to be done to establish Diplomatic Relations?"

"Assuming peaceful negotiations, the first step would be making the other country acknowledge Agirakana's existence, followed by informing them of the benefits they'd gain from establishing Diplomatic Relations. If the benefits are substantial enough, the establishment should proceed without issue."

"Then, if that's not the case, we just send a battleship to conquer Earth, I suppose?"

"Exactly. We'd disable military installations with naval gunfire and carrier-based assault aircraft, then deploy ground forces from an amphibious assault vessel to seize control of the surface."

The military strength and detailed data on Earth’s installations have already been surveyed, so shall we run simulations of the invasion strategy using a few different patterns?”

He’d meant it as a joke—yet he received a surprisingly earnest reply. Just because you want to build a house doesn’t mean you’re planning an invasion of Earth.

“True enough—running a simulation wouldn’t hurt. But this time, let’s try it peacefully. Assuming peaceful progress, what exactly should we do?”

“If you ask whether it’s peaceful—well, it isn’t—but how about demonstrating a mere fraction of Agirakana’s overwhelming military power, then offering the other side favorable terms, and requesting diplomatic recognition?”

“A mere fraction of military power?”

“Couldn’t we just park a landing assault vessel over the capital of the target country? A Class H3 landing assault vessel, now that’s something impressive—quite the showpiece, really. In practice, a single fully equipped, fully stocked Class H3 vessel could seize control of any military installation on Earth within minutes. And if you’re only after destruction, the ship could circle Earth once and be done.”

Ain’s mind really is fixated on military solutions. Quite different from a peace-bubble Japanese like me.

“Anyway, we’re not actually going to shoot anyone. Maybe a gunboat diplomacy approach would work. H3—does that just refer to the ship’s shape and size? How big is it, exactly?”

“A Class H3 is a regular hexagonal prism, 360 meters on each side, with a total length of 3,600 meters.”

A regular hexagon with sides of 360 meters means a maximum width of 720 meters. No wonder anyone would freak out if something that big came hovering over their head.

"So, what would be the advantageous terms on their side? Let's assume the other country is Japan."

"If we take Japan as the target nation, then first and foremost would be secure, low-cost energy supply. Something straightforward, like building a fusion power plant. The structure of a fusion unit using light elements is simple enough—perhaps it could even be transferred to Japan in the future. Next, there's the issue of removing radioactive contaminants from problematic regions—what people call decontamination. We might as well take on the responsibility of handling nuclear waste from existing power plants."

"Then the compensation would be diplomatic recognition: establishment of an Embassy and the associated land lease. And acquiring Japanese yen—something Japan can use to buy goods from Japan itself. That’s a true win-win. Alright, let’s go with that."

Understood. I will issue orders—under the captain’s name—for the activation of one H-3 class assault landing vessel currently in dormancy, as well as the revival of its crew and supporting personnel. Meanwhile, initiate the fabrication of necessary equipment for the reconnaissance vessel SII-001, currently near Jupiter.

Also, Japan, like us before the captain arrived, is permitted only defensive capabilities. As we once were, this state is extremely precarious. Since Japan is also the captain’s home country, improving this situation as soon as possible would likely be appreciated.

“How should we proceed?”

“After diplomatic relations are established, how about issuing a unilateral defense obligation declaration targeting Japan?”

“A unilateral defense obligation declaration?”

"If Japan is attacked by another country, Agirakana will be considered attacked, and we will retaliate alone against the aggressor. Conversely, if Agirakana is attacked by another country, Japan will take no part whatsoever. I suppose there’s no country on Earth that would dare attack us, but—"

"That could work. If we do this, no one will bother Japan anymore."

Ain and the others will do anything you ask, but... is this really wise?

Since the other party is Japan, we can feel safe even after establishing diplomatic relations. As for the other countries, they don’t matter right now. Let’s limit diplomatic relations to Japan alone. We’ll gladly leave the troublesome ones behind—perfect.

By the way, now that I think about it, I’m technically an Agirakana citizen. Japan doesn’t recognize dual nationality, so I’ll need to get on with renouncing my citizenship as soon as possible.