Eyes Open

Day 660, 08:14 • Published in Japan Japan • by Miyagi Kesuke

With all of the recent news being consumed by wartime articles, I thought it time to bring things back around other national affairs.

I read the news here in Japan. Not just the newspapers I subscribe to, but all of it. My subscriptions are simply a way of calling certain authors to the forefront. I feel it is my duty as a congressman to stay informed.

Today I noticed something interesting and surprising. We seem to have a new Minister of Health, Education and Welfare, Goku Jones. I mention I am surprised by this, because as a congressman I would have expected to hear about cabinet changes from the President. I know not what happened to the former Minister that held that position (former Congressman Ryuu Toumori), but from a from a brief glance at the Japan directory it seems he has taken an unannounced leave of absence. In any event, I welcome Congressman Goku Jones to the position, and hope the enthusiasm he has displayed since coming to Japan continues in this current position.

Speaking of the current position, Congressman Goku has already published an article announcing some good changes to the Japanese Interior Service. (see the article here). The changes he has announced are very sensible, though I am once again surprised at the speed at which this decision was executed, and without any prior mention to Congress. While there is no approval needed by Congress on actions such as these, it is customary to give the watchdogs of our nation a chance to provide feedback prior to drastic action.

Most worrisome to me is the apparent sale of the Q1 food company that was on the JIS books, and the current sale status of the Q1 hospital company. To my knowledge the Q1 food company held a large supply of rations that were intended as a safeguard to protect our nation's food supply in the case of a foreign attack. Any group with enough money could buy up a large supply of our low cost food, leaving many Japanese to go hungry. Additionally, the price set for the Q1 hospital company seems outrageously inexpensive. I may have very little idea of the cost of a hospital, yet I do know that any company cost 20 Gold to create, and any stock in raw materials or supply is excess on top of that.

I have little reason to suspect that Minister Jones has any ill intentions, and based on all I have seen I suspect there is simply a lack of communication to the other members of government. In any case, I recommend a full investigation into the matter by our government officials.

UPDATE:
Further investigation into this matter has revealed the location of the former JIS Q1 food company. Links on the eJapan forums indicate that this is company in question, however I am not yet aware of the price it was sold for nor the status of the current holder organization. It does appear to have a vast stockpile of food, far more that I originally realized. A company such as this I would suspect to sell for around 35 Gold (company cost + stocks + raw materials). Besides this, I have discovered that this action does go against the http://nipponblog.net/forum/viewtopic.php?f=28&t=652&start=0>Presidential approved operating procedures for the JIS, calling for a Congressional vote prior to any new business openings. Once again, I am not suggesting any improprieties, but as a Congressman I feel I must be vigilant in protecting our national resources. Further information on this matter is definitely needed.

UPDATE2:
Responses from both President Minamoto as well as Minster Goku Jones indicate that this was indeed a misunderstanding, and corrective actions have been taken.