This sunset will precede a dawn.

Day 660, 03:06 • Published in Japan Japan • by Nihon no Koe

Citizen-subjects of the Great Empire of Japan,

All of our empire's people -- from the soldier in the trenches to to the industrialist who sells weapons to our Army at a loss, from the diligent assembly-line worker who produces those weapons to the Emperor himself -- all loyal subjects of our Imperial Republic have given our all in this war.

We are not beaten, but neither have we succeeded. It would be the height of folly to dress defeat up as victory.

We fought for our own honor and the honor of the Korean brethren who joined our confederation. And though we did not succeed on the battlefield, this much is a success -- our honor is untarnished, our hopes for the future undiminished. Worldly victory would mean little if we achieved it through conniving means.

Today we watch the sun set over the two small regions where the Theocratic organization has raised what they call the flag of the "Theocratic nation of South Korea." Japan remains steadfast in its support for the genuine South Korean government, led during the period of their expatriation by their elected leader, Chancellor Spade. We remain ready to support South Korea in its rightful claims.

Yet support for no cause under the Sun may be unlimited. We have given our utmost, and though we failed to secure the nation vouchsafed into our care by the free choice of its people, we still protect the refugees from across the western sea. Furthermore, our PEACE allies have offered their pledge of mutual protection, reminding us that we are part of a greater interdependent whole. They and our allies in Sol have sent all the troops they could spare to aid us in the fight.

We did not succeed, but we maintained our honor, and the allies who fought with us deserve our thanks. To the Theocratic organization, as to all belligerents around the world -- Japan looks forward to a just and lasting peace, something tht cannot exist without honor and trust -- and which necessarily requires that the honorable, possess the strength to defend themselves as well as the defenseless. This strength, we have learned we do not yet have, and there is no shame in this discovery -- as long as we take this lesson to heart, respectful of the Kami in their admonishment to patience, which this war's outcome clearly shows.

After a sunset, at the appointed time, there proceeds the next day's dawn.

-Sophia Forrester, Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Great Empire of Japan