Imperial Republic of Shingō

Flag of Shingō

**Opposition (19)**

* Liberty Party (15)
* Revolutionary Front (4)

**Crossbench (2)**

* Sabunese National Congress (1)
* Weian Laborers Association (1)

The **Imperial Republic of Shingō** (Shingōan: 新郷帝政共和国, *Shingō teisei kyōwakoku*), commonly referred to as **Shingō**, is a large country located within the continent of Tōkai. The city of Chukyo serves as the nation's political capital and seat of government, while the city of Ōyama serves as the nation's spiritual capital and houses the Imperial Family. The country can be divided into six administrative regions known as prefectures, each of which contains its own form of local government. Shingō is a member of the Central Tōkai Union (CTU), an international organization whose membership also contains Tsukimoto and Yokoze.

## Government & Economy

Shingō's form of government is a unitary parliamentary democracy, in which members of parliament are elected using a mixed-member proportional system to represent the people of the nation. The Shingōan Parliament contains 50 members and is currently controlled by a ruling coalition led by the Reform Party (革新党, *Kakushintō*). The current cabinet is headed by Prime Minister Shōgo Kobayashi of the Reform Party.

While the Prime Minister is the head of the government of Shingō, the Emperor is the head of state. The country is a constitutional monarchy, meaning that the Emperor exercises his power in accordance with the Constitution, and that he technically still has the authority to veto legislation and issue royal decrees. In practice however, the Imperial Family has remained detached from the country's political affairs ever since the Republican Reforms of 183 G.E. The Emperor is additionally the sovereign head of state of the Sabunese Protectorate, Shingōan Munao, and Shingōan Yaqor.

Shingō has a mixed economy with relatively high levels of market freedom for businesses, however, subsidies for various industries are common, with large companies receiving government incentives for growth and expansion. In recent years, the policy of window guidance has been applied on the national level, meaning that the Shingōan National Bank will instruct local banks to create set, predetermined levels of credit for certain industries. Shingō, along with all other member nations of the Central Tōkai Union, utilizes the Shingōan Yen (¥) as its primary currency.

Shingōan Government

Shingōan Laws

Prefectures

Constitution of Shingō

National Elections

List of Shingōan Prime Ministers

List of Shingōan Emperors

Political Parties

## History

### Ancient & Warring Clans Period

The exact date relating to the ascension of the first Shingōan emperor and the formation of the Shingōan nation is highly disputed; however, it is generally agreed upon that the imperial family headed a monarchical system of governance across most of the Shingōan realm from roughly 1600 to 780 B.G.E. The ruling government, however, collapsed sometime around 780 B.G.E. and the country was split amongst warring clans.

In 753 B.G.E., the Kōtoku Clan (光徳部氏) united much of the northern realm while the Kusakabe Clan (日下部氏) united most of the south. For roughly seven centuries, the two clans co-ruled the realm, with lords and nobility from both groups gradually intermarrying for political purposes. Throughout this period, the emperor still maintained a ceremonial position as a divine figure; however, the imperial family had little influence over governmental affairs.

From 40 to 10 B.G.E., explorers and merchants from Arlon, Rösdal, and Windsor began to arrive across the Shingōan realm in large numbers. In August of 18 B.G.E., a skirmish occurred after local militiamen and an armed Windsoran vessel. The village next to which the altercation took place was subsequently destroyed by Windsoran cannonfire and the ruling government of the realm was coerced into signing several 'humiliating treaties' which provided foreign powers with docking rights across the Shingōan realm as well as unrestricted access to its domestic markets. Burdened by large debts and its tarnished reputation, the national government lost the support of several clan leaders who subsequently engaged in an armed rebellion.

By 1 B.G.E., the Shingō Clan (新郷部氏) and the Awa Clan (阿波部氏) had conquered much of the northern and central regions of the realm and members of the previous government had fled to southern Tōkai. In 1 G.E., the Empire of Shingō (named after the Shingō clan) was proclaimed and Emperor Sūnei was enthroned as its divine head of state and government.

### Empire of Shingō

The Empire of Shingō, also known as the Greater Shingō Empire, was officially proclaimed as part of the Sūnei Restoration, in which governmental authority was recentralized within the imperial family and imperial court. Throughout the first half of the empire's existence, it functioned as an absolute monarchy in which governmental power was concentrated in the imperial family. By 70 G.E., the empire had begun to utilize the *Hakushaku* system as a means of preventing rebellion. In this system, the Imperial Family granted titles and land to regional lords in exchange for their loyalty and military service. In 135 G.E. during the reign of Emperor Reigen, who had become increasingly unpopular amongst the regional nobility and the general population for his management of the Tsukimotoan Independence War, the Imperial Government was pressured by regional lords to adopt several administrative reforms.

These reforms led to greater devolution of government power and gave greater authority to local lords known as *Hakushaku*, who, among other things, were tasked with electing members of Parliament. Initially, the *Hakushaku* themselves appointed members of Parliament with little to no consultation of the citizens of their regions; however, incorporation of intellectuals, bureaucrats, and other land-owning citizens into the appointment process would gradually occur in certain regions over time. One member of parliament would be selected by the emperor to serve as the prime minister (typically the leader of the largest party in parliament). The first prime minister of the Empire of Shingō was Sōsuke Koide of the Liberty Party.

In 183 G.E. during the prime ministership of Mitsuaki Demizu of the the National Cooperation Party, the powers of the imperial family were drastically reduced, effectively turning the emperor into a figurehead. Additionally, *Hakushaku* were stripped of their authority to appoint members of Parliament, with land-owning citizens being given the authority to appoint local parliamentary representatives. These reforms are widely recognized as the point in which the Empire of Shingō was transformed into the Imperial Republic of Shingō. In response to these changes, Prince Kōwa, a member of the imperial family, led a failed coup attempt in which he and his supporters, as well as former *Hakushaku*, attempted to overthrow the government and reinstall the previous governmental system. (See Kōwa Coup Attempt for more information) The land-owning requirement for participating in national elections was formally ended in 334 G.E.

## Society

Modern Shingōan society is characterized by industrialization, urbanization, and a growing middle class. The country is experiencing a period of rapid economic growth, and many citizens are becoming increasingly exposed to new technologies and advancements in industry.

Despite this economic progress, the society is still highly stratified. The nobility, known as the *Kuge*, hold a significant amount of power and influence, while the common people struggle to make ends meet. Women are generally excluded from political and economic life, and are expected to fulfill traditional roles as wives and mothers.

Religion also plays an important role in the society of Shingō. Kamitomo is the dominant religion of the nation, and many citizens participate in religious rituals and festivals. However, there is also a growing interest in non-religious philosophy, which is seen as a symbol of modernization and progress.

Overall, the society of Shingo is characterized by a mix of tradition and modernization, with a strong emphasis on hierarchy, duty, and respect for authority. While some citizens are pushing for more progressive and democratic reforms, others are determined to maintain the status quo and preserve the traditions of their ancestors.