January 20th, 1936

Tokyo, Japan

The democratic parliamentary system in the Empire of Japan has never been popular with the military and elites in Japanese society. It's only saving grace has been the historical division of opposition factions to democratic rule. The prime minister and his entourage have gathered in Tokyo for an emergency meeting after the death of King George the V. The geopolitical implications of a turn over in the leadership of the ailing Entente could allow for political change in Asia unseen since the Weltkrieg. Unfortunately for the government of Inukai Tsuyoshi, a member of his security detail has alerted a group of members of the Imperial Way faction of their emergency meeting. Normally more preparations to secure the venue in Tokyo would be taken but with the haste the event was organised with, these preparations were not made.

Shiro Nonaka was a patriot, this fact was unimpeachable. A radical and fanatical member of the Imperial Way and a central member of the clique of young officers who wish to enact radical change towards the Showa Restoration. His conspiracy had been planned for February, but with leaks letting him know that Tsuyoshi’s government might be heading abroad for the funeral of George the V he realised he may need to act now while they were vulnerable. He led a group about the size of a company out of their barracks towards the meeting place of the cabinet under the cover of darkness, his daring and cunning could not be understated, in another time he would have made a great warrior.

The fire fight erupted outside the hotel as his men overwhelmed security in a daring maneuver. The squad personally led by Shiro bypassed the remaining security and went straight for the cabinet meeting room. The slaughter was swift, machine pistols making quick work of the old statesmen cowering in the chamber. Unfortunately for Shiro as he and his men emerged from the hotel bloodied but victorious and began to celebrate and march towards the Palace, men from the garrison surrounded them and demanded their surrender. The great event was over before it could have begun. There were many questions running through the conspirators heads as they were carted off to prison, those who did not commit suicide that is. Mainly why the garrison was able to mobilise so quickly, almost as if they knew…

In the days following the assassination, it became obvious to the conspirators it may have been wiser not to launch an attempted coup so impulsively, daring and the will to fight was important but sufficient planning often ensured daring was useful instead of futile.

The Emperor was never a huge fan of the democratic regime he had inherited, himself favouring a stronger government and a stronger Empire. Still, he was not supportive of the short-sightedness of the Imperial Way and their restoration. He thus was put into a position where he must put together a new government that could effectively govern the nation. It was obvious the liberal and conservative democrats were utterly incapable of commanding the confidence of the army. However, a prominent member of the Imperial Bureaucracy had a proposal for Emperor Hirohito. Perhaps a compromise could be made between the Control faction and the Imperial Way. The proposed administration was somewhat radical but at least the coalition would have some parliamentary trappings for legitimacy.

A non-partisan government would thus be formed. This administration would be made up of hardliners of all shades and stripes. Including but not limited to Adachi Kenzō, Abe Isoo, Ishiwara Kanji, Kishi Nobosuke, Ryōhei Uchida, Osami Nagano. Kanji who shall also be the minister of the Army, Nagano will be the minister of the Navy.

The new government has issued pardons for those who participated in the coup, the Kempeitai inventing a conspiracy led by Tsuyoshi to sell out Japan’s interests to the west. Thus Shiro and his radicals acted on patriotic duty. Instead of jail time, those who survived will be honourably discharged from the army and barred from public life.

This new administration immediately also declared martial law to restore security and stability to Japan and dissolved the diet to reorganize the legislature in the wake of the coup attempt. Only time will tell what this government will mean for Japan.