Chapter 18: A Bloodless Decision and a New Beginning

1. Opposition to Umiyama

After the successful attack on the U.S. military base by the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere, Utsutsu Umiyama was strongly opposed to the attack. Concerned about prolonging the war and further international confrontation, Kaizan believed that a diplomatic solution with the United States should be sought. He believed that the most important way to build Japan's future was to extinguish the spark of war and resolve the issue in a peaceful manner.
• Utsutsu Umiyama (Taisei Yokusan Bussan):
"The continuation of the war jeopardizes the future of Japan. The action we must take now is a diplomatic solution. The only way to preserve Japan's independence is to end the fighting."
• Kazuma Nanjo (Taisei Yokusan Yubutsu Bussan):
"But doesn't it hurt Japan's pride to compromise with the U.S.?"
• Utsutsu Umiyama:
"Is it really necessary to continue the war in order to preserve our pride? Ultimately, the best way to preserve Japan's independence is to end the war and resolve it in a peaceful manner."

2. Departure with Asako Oda

Umiyama decided to depart for the U.S. with Asako Oda, a person he could trust to successfully negotiate with the Americans. Oda's fluency in English and connections with American companies made her indispensable in facilitating the negotiations. Without her help, negotiations with the U.S. government might not have been possible.
• Utsutsu Umiyama (Dai Seisaku Bussan):
"I believe that if I go with you, we will be able to negotiate successfully with the U.S. government."
• Asako Oda (Taisei Yokusan Bussan):
"I, too, will do my utmost for the future of Japan. Let's work together."
The bond between these two men deepened as the negotiations progressed, gradually solidifying their trust and understanding.

3. Dialogue with the U.S. Government

After arriving in the U.S., Umiyama and Oda were soon to meet with key U.S. government officials. Umiyama understood that the U.S. did not want any further war, and he tried to conduct calm and rational negotiations first.
• Utsutsu Umiyama (Taisei Yokusan Bussan):
"Japan is suffering under the pressure of the United States. But there is nothing to be gained by continuing the war. We would like to reach a peaceful solution with the U.S. to end this war and restore Japan's independence."
• U.S. Government Official:
"It is our hope that Japan will regain its independence. But we cannot allow it to dominate all of Asia as it has done in the past. We are concerned about the consequences of the expansion of the Great Government Co-prosperity Sphere."
• Utsutsu Umiyama (Taisei Kyosai Bussan):
"The Taisei Yokusan Co-prosperity Sphere exists to protect Japan's independence and the peace of Asia. Please help us end this war."
Negotiations were long and deliberate. Ultimately, the U.S. government agreed to recognize Japan's restoration of sovereignty, withdraw U.S. forces from Japan, and remove U.S. military bases from the country. This resulted in a virtually bloodless surrender of Japan.

4. Restoration of Japanese sovereignty and withdrawal of U.S. forces

As a result of the negotiations, it was officially decided that U.S. forces would withdraw from Japan and U.S. military bases would be removed from Japan. This restored Japan's sovereignty and greatly reduced the influence of the United States. This was a moment that signified Japan's complete independence and would be referred to in later generations as "the bloodless opening of the castle.
• Utsutsu Umiyama (Daisei Bussan):
He said, "Now Japan has regained its independence in the true sense of the word. The fact that we were able to avoid war and resolve this issue peacefully is the greatest achievement of all."
• Kazuma Nanjo (Dasei Bussan):
"We have secured Japan's future in the form of a bloodless war. From now on, we need a strategy that looks to the future of Asia as a whole."

5. The budding romance

After completing the negotiations, Umiyama and Oda felt a strong mutual trust and bond. There was no doubt that the common goals and ideals that had been shared between them had become even more deeply bound together after overcoming the tough negotiations in the United States.
• Utsutsu Umiyama (Daisei Bussan):
"Without you, we wouldn't have made it this far. I am grateful to you."
• Asako Oda (Taisei Yokusan Bussan):
"I am so glad that I was able to go through this fight with you and see the future of Japan through it."
The two exchanged glances on the spot in a wordless manner and expressed their gratitude to each other. The romantic budding of their relationship will now proceed gradually.

6. Why China was stuck.

China's position
On the other hand, China could not really move in the domestic conflicts between the Japanese government and the Greater China Co-prosperity Sphere or in the clashes between the U.S. and the Greater China Co-prosperity Sphere's air forces. The reason for this was that it was preoccupied with domestic economic problems and internal and external political tensions.
• Chinese government official:
"We cannot ignore the rise of the Great Political Co-prosperity Sphere, but right now we must give priority to the domestic situation. It is unwise to get involved in Japan's civil war or conflict with the United States."
As a result, China chose to remain quiet for a while, buying time to regain influence in the international community.