Kawasaki Zaibatsu
The Kawasaki Zaibatsu is a multinational industrial enterprise in the world of Aion. They are one of the world's leading suppliers of Arcanite and operate with genetic engineering, space exploration, and military power. It also has an infamous reputation, such as participating in shady business practices and Demihuman-based labor forces.
Structure
Chief Executive Officer - The highest-ranking official in the conglomerate, holding ultimate authority and making critical strategic decisions. They oversee operations across all subsidiaries and maintain political and criminal alliances.
Board of Directors - A group of executives who provide advice to the leader of the Zaibatsu and establish high-level policies. This includes the heads of major divisions and financial officers, who also serve as legal representatives of the company. The Board of Directors is responsible for ensuring profitability, developing expansion plans, and mitigating risks.
Division Presidents - Lead the major industries and subsidiaries within the Kawasaki Zaibatsu; Which include:
- Arcanite: This division is responsible for overseeing arcanite mining, refining, distribution, and sales. They manage supply chains, contractors, logistics, and revenue goals.
- Genetics: The Genetics division is in charge of genetic engineering research, human experimentation programs, and the development of marketable products. This division often faces ethical controversies.
- Manufacture: This division supervises all manufacturing facilities, ensuring production targets are met, maintaining quality control, and managing the workforce.
- Finance: The Finance division is responsible for accounting, driving revenue growth, managing investments, handling mergers and acquisitions, securing funding, and maintaining banking relationships.
Public Agenda
- Portrayed as driving national economic growth, employment, and "progress"
- Funds cultural promotions, and charity initiatives to encourage patriotism and improve public image
- Accused by critics of prioritizing profit over people and monopolizing/corrupting the political process.
Assets
- Vast industrial infrastructure including mines, factories, shipyards, launch facilities, etc. spread across the home islands and colonies
- Major shareholder in numerous public corporations
- Large private military and security forces with advanced weaponry and vehicles
- Extensive landholdings and real estate properties in prime areas
- Significant political lobbying network and influence over policymakers
- Advanced research and development programs in areas like robotics, biotechnology, aerospace, synthetic materials, and more
- Patents and licensing on many lucrative technologies
History
The Zaibatsu was founded by Tōshirō Kawasaki, in the aftermath of the Second Continental War. Disillusioned by his experience in the brutal conflict, Kawasaki believed that only strength, power, and influence could impose stability and prevent further wars. He set out to build an immense industrial and military empire through any means necessary.
Kawasaki used his engineering expertise and family inheritance to establish the Kawasaki Manufacturing Co. in Osaka. The company rapidly gained contracts supplying the Yamato military with new technologies developed during the war. Within a decade, Kawasaki expanded into mining, genetics research, and space exploration through aggressive acquisitions. Critics accused the growing Zaibatsu of corruption and exploitation to gain its monopoly on industries like arcanite.
By 2060, the Kawasaki Zaibatsu had become one of the most powerful economic and political forces in the world. It maintained a large private military and exerted influence over politicians through legal and illicit means. While bringing innovation, its monopolistic and unethical practices also stifled competition and oppressed marginalized groups. The Zaibatsu continued expanding across the globe, seeking to ensure Yamato's dominance through economic and technological leverage.
Military
In addition to its extensive defensive and security divisions, the Kawasaki Zaibatsu maintains a significant privately funded military force that can exert hard power to protect economic interests at home and abroad.
- Ground Forces: Mobile infantry divisions, mechanized armor brigades, combat engineering battalions equipped with advanced powered armor exoskeletons, tanks, APCs, and logistics vehicles.
- Navy: Large fleet including destroyers, frigates, corvettes, mine warfare ships, replenishment tankers, amphibious assault ships. Also operates missile-armed patrol boats and freighters for coastal defense.
- Air Force: Fighter wings operating 5th generation stealth jets and armed drones. Strategic bomber squadrons, airlift/refueling fleets, rotary aviation units. Joint military-industrial spaceplane program.
- Special Forces: Elite commando units for raids, assassination, unconventional warfare, demolition, and covert transport. Extensive cyber/psychological warfare capabilities.
- Weapons/R&D: Manufactures advanced small arms, artillery, aircraft/ship munitions. Pioneering research fields like directed energy, cybernetics, advanced alloys and propulsion.
- Loyalty: Highly trained and loyal to Zaibatsu leadership rather than the national military. Used to further business interests abroad through shows of force or proxy conflicts. Can pressure political situations internally if needed.
- Bases: Extensive domestic garrison facilities, and overseas installations aid power projection. Some bases function as quasi-independent city-states under Zaibatsu control.
- Operations: Conduct regular exercises to showcase capabilities. Has engaged in border skirmishes, anti-piracy missions, and security for shipping lanes/business assets overseas.
Technological Level
- Developed nation with advanced industries, robotics, biotech, artificial intelligence, renewable energy, spaceflight capabilities, and more
- Pioneer in some fields through ambitious R&D programs
- However, critics argue programs involve unethical experimentation and pollution concerns are downplayed
Agriculture & Industry
- Major player in mining (especially arcanite), heavy manufacturing, shipbuilding, chemicals/materials
- Also involved in robotics, biotech, electronics, aerospace, pharmaceuticals, tech development
- Agriculture subsidiaries focus on cash crops, dairy, livestock production
Trade & Transport
- Global shipping and logistics fleet transports goods worldwide
- Key infrastructure includes ports, railways, automated vehicle networks
- Dominant domestic and international trade in industrial commodities
Powering the Future
Founding Date
2037
Type
Megacorporation
Training Level
Professional
Veterancy Level
Experienced
Government System
Technocracy
Economic System
Market economy
Currency
Ebi
Major Exports
Heavy machinery, vehicles, manufactured goods, power generation systems, synthetic materials, mining/industrial tech
Major Imports
Advanced equipment, rare earths, petrochemicals, consumer goods, data/tech components
Parent Organization
Related Species
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