Chapter 12: The Birth of the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere

1. The plight of the Mitsubishi Corporation

American and Chinese pressure mounts
Pressure from the U.S. and China was gradually jeopardizing Mitsubishi Corporation's position. The expansion of a new economic zone centered on the Zipangcoin (ZPG) was a threat to the U.S. dollar-centered economic structure and Chinese hegemony, and Mitsubishi Corporatiion was becoming isolated within it. Surrounded by companies and countries with strong influence from both powers, Mitsubishi Corporation was gradually being pushed into an economic corner.
• Mitsubishi Corporation executives:
The pressure from the U.S. and China is getting stronger by the day. We cannot stand alone any longer."
The top management of Mitsubishi Corporation rapidly became upset about the situation and began to seriously consider cooperation with Mitsui & Co. The opinion that they should overcome past feuds and confront the situation together gradually spread.

2. Development of the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere Concept

Umiyama and Nanjo's Concept
Under these circumstances, the concept of a Taisei Kyosei Kyosei Sphere proposed by Utsutsu Umiyama and Kazuma Nanjo became a realistic option for Mitsubishi Corporation executives. What they presented was a concept that would not only unite the economies of Asia, but also protect Japan's independence and strengthen the economic bloc for Asia as a whole.
• Kazuma Nanjo:
"Now is the time for Japan to lead all of Asia and create an economic zone to counter the pressure from the U.S. and China. We need a vision that involves the whole of Asia, based on the Zipangcoin."
• Utsutsu Umiyama:
"The Zipangcoin is more than just a currency. It is a tool for shaping Asia's future and the key to putting Japan back at the center of the economy."
Understanding that the idea of a major political co-prosperity sphere was essential to Japan's revival, Mitsubishi Corporation executives began to steer the company toward joining forces with Mitsui & Co.

3. Holding of the meeting and agreement

Mitsui, Mitsubishi Corporation, and leading company executives gathered
. The most senior executives decided to hold a meeting of the top executives of Mitsui & Co. and Mitsubishi Corporation. Mitsui Fudosan, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Sumitomo Corporation, Sumitomo Forestry, and other major Japanese economic leaders were also to attend the meeting to discuss how they could work together to ensure Japan's security and rebuild its economy.
• Mitsui executives:
"We can no longer ignore the pressure from the U.S. and China. We must pool our forces to support the Japanese economy."
• Mitsubishi Corporation executives:
"Joining forces with Mitsui is the most important choice for Japan today. Unless we fight together, we will not pave the way for Asia's future."
The meeting emphasized that the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere is a framework for economic and political partnership to protect Japan, and this concept was agreed upon.

4. Determination to protect Japan's future

Collaborative resolve to stand together
At the end of the meeting, executives from Mitsui and Mitsubishi Shoji decided to stand together to establish a grand political co-prosperity sphere. They vowed to reorganize the whole of Asia around this economic zone and to build a strong economic partnership.
• Mitsui executives:
"This initiative will save not only Japan, but all of Asia. By working together, we will pave the way for Asia's future."
• Sumitomo Corporation executives:
"Now is the time for Japan to come together to confront the threats posed by the United States and China. We endorse this initiative and will do our utmost to cooperate."
With this, the first step was taken to launch the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere. This new economic bloc will serve as the foundation for a future in which Japan will be at the center of Asia's quest for economic independence.

5. Inauguration of the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere

Toward the realization of the concept
At the end of the meeting, the participating executives unanimously decided to establish a Greater China Co-prosperity Sphere and confirmed that they would take the path toward co-prosperity by reorganizing the Asian economies around the Zipangcoin in order to confront the external pressures surrounding Japan. In their hearts lay a strong determination and pride to protect Japan.
• Mitsubishi Corporation executives:
"What we must accomplish now is the realization of the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere. This will be the force that will sustain Japan's future and lead all of Asia to prosperity."
• Mitsui executives:
"Let's work together to the best of our ability and pave the way for the future of Asia's economy and Japan's."