Chapter 17: Seizing Air Control and Lifting Flight Restrictions

1. opposition to the Umiyama and the decision of the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere

Attacks on American military bases
The Taisei Co-prosperity Sphere decided to attack the American bases and launched an attack by air force to regain control of the airspace over Tokyo. Utsutsu Umiyama, however, was strongly opposed to this attack. Concerned about a prolonged war and international confrontation, Umiyama believed that a diplomatic solution with the U.S. should be sought.
• Utsutsu Umiyama (Taisei Yokusan Bussan):
He said, "To launch an attack now would be to rekindle the flames of war. Diplomatic negotiations with the U.S. should be able to solve the problem. There is nothing to be gained by continuing the war."
Umiyama's opinion was not accepted by the executives of the Taisei Kyosei, but his position was solely to avoid war in order to protect Japan's future. Nevertheless, the Taisei Kyosei Co-prosperity Sphere decided decisively to go ahead with the offensive, and Umiyama, while disagreeing with the decision, had to accept the political reality.
• Utsutsu Umiyama:
"I believe that our fight is to protect Japan's pride and independence, but is expanding the war really the way to achieve that goal?"
Air Force preparations for attack
Nonetheless, the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere carried out its plan, and preparations were made for an air raid on an American military base. New fighter jets and AI-controlled drones developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries were deployed to maximize the Air Force's offensive capabilities.
• Mitsubishi Heavy Industries executive:
"With these weapons, we will be able to break through U.S. air defenses. This will ensure that we can seize control of the airspace."

2. Executing the Attack and Securing Air Control

Executing an air raid
The air forces of the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere carried out air raids against American military bases based on a pre-prepared plan. This act of attack was the equivalent of the second Pearl Harbor raid. A formation of fighter jets and a group of AI-controlled drones coordinated to carry out the attack with extremely high precision. In particular, the state-of-the-art weapons developed by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries were particularly successful in penetrating the U.S. military air defense network.
• Utsutsu Umiyama (Taisei Yokusan Bussan):
"So this is an attack on an American military base...I was against it, but now this settles one thing?"
With this attack, airspace control over Tokyo was returned to the hands of the Taisei Kyosei, and at the same time, flight restrictions were lifted. With this, the Japanese skies were once again free, symbolically marking Japan's independence.
• Kazuma Nanjo (Taisei Yokusan Yubutsu Bussan):
"With this, we have completely broken the pressure of the United States. The skies over Japan are ours once again."

3. Reaction of the U.S. and China

American surprise and response
The U.S. government was not surprised by the raid. Having previously maintained flight restrictions on Japanese airspace, the U.S. suddenly found its military power challenged by Japan and rapidly began to reassess the situation.
• U.S. Government Official:
"This is unexpected. This is a full-fledged attempt by the Taisei Kyosei to restore Japan's sovereignty. How should we respond to this?"
• US Commander:
"Japan has become so self-reliant that it is about to completely eliminate the role of the U.S. military. Any further intervention would be internationally unjustifiable."

4. China's Vigilance

China's Response
The Chinese government was also closely watching the moves of the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere. In particular, Japan's elimination of U.S. military influence and its beginning to freely dominate the skies could pose a threat to China. China, however, was too busy with its domestic politics and economy to afford to move to direct foreign action.

• Chinese government official:
"We cannot ignore the rise of the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere, but our internal problems take precedence now. There is little to be gained by over-involvement in Japanese affairs."
China, while wary of the growth of the Greater Political Co-prosperity Sphere, cannot move directly between the U.S. and Japanese wars and decides to wait and see for a while.

5. Next Steps

Progress of the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere
Having regained control of Japan's skies and achieved the restoration of airspace control and the lifting of flight restrictions, the Taisei Co-prosperity Sphere will begin to formulate a new strategy to take this victory to the next step. The goal will now be to further expand its influence over Asia as a whole, and to gain strength beyond the spheres of influence of the United States and China.
• Utsutsu Umiyama (Taisei Yokusan Bussan):
"We have now achieved one major goal. But now we must build a new future through peaceful negotiations."
• Kazuma Nanjo (Taisei Yokusan Bussan):
"The restoration of air superiority is proof that we have kept our pride. Now it is our turn to establish our influence throughout Asia."