Jiyukoku State

A tiny, lonesome island in the Pacific Ocean, Jiyukoku State lies roughly halfway between Japan and the mainland United States. Originally a settlement for refugees, it's bustled into a self-sufficient country. Jiyukoku didn't really have a choice in the matter, though. It desperately wants to reach out to the world, but its "parent" countries, the United States and Japan, barely acknowledge it's existence, and as such, it's faded from global consciousness.
In order to correct this, Jiyukoku State relies on its art, specifically its music to attract the attention of the United States, Japan, or wherever else might be listening. It's not the best strategy, but they're hoping one day the right person will come along and shine a light on Jiyukoku. Until then, at least the locals get to enjoy the fruits of their labor. Sending musicians from Jiyukoku elsewhere is an option but it is terribly expensive and sometimes it's uncertain whether other countries will let them in.
Jiyukoku often tries to measure up to its parent countries in terms of technology and art. Unfortunately, no matter how successful their efforts are, the Jiyukokan public holds American and Japanese ingenuity above their own, remaining insecure and leading to the development of legal yet government-independent foreign espionage rings. Jiyukoku isn't entirely reliant on technology, thankfully. Their strength lies in keeping afloat by carefully managing natural resources.

Demographics

Since Jiyukoku is a relatively young country, none of the inhabitants have been there for more than two or three generations. There's also stigma surrounding it (at least among the people in the US and Japan who remember it exists), so tourists and immigrants are sparse. Culturally, citizens either grow up with American customs or Japanese customs depending on where their families were originally from, but there are exceptions, especially with a portion of the population being of mixed heritage.

Government

It might use a parliament of some kind.

Defences

There's a police system and judicial system in Jiyukoku. Jails are small and usually don't keep prisoners unless they're particularly dangerous. With the prisoners they do have, more effort is spent trying to reintroduce them into society than keeping them there unless, again, they're particularly dangerous. Sometimes the police don't even bother arresting people for certain crimes.
As for a military, there is none, at least not an official one. Groups of citizens establish their own militia just in case a foreign invasion happens, but most people know that could only do so much. People debate on whether Jiyukoku State needs one, since there is the fear of Japan or the United States annexing it.

Industry & Trade

The entertainment industry (specifically music) is the biggest thing in Jiyukoku, aside from farming. It's seen as an easy way to grab the attention of the rest of the world

Infrastructure

Most of Jiyukoku State is made up of small towns, with very few metropolitan areas.

Assets

https://78.media.tumblr.com/c7744eca00c216df8dbc02f3c76608ae/tumblr_onx6oa5f201shz52wo1_1280.png[/img] ^Pictures and descriptions of some of the brands/companies. (Note: Benji's Entertainment is now Bakers' Entertainment and I may change the logo to reflect that.)

History

In year 0, a cold war happened between the United States and Japan. Most citizens of each country were in support of the war, but others didn’t want to see their homes torn apart. Two associates from each country found an abandoned island in the Pacific, and fled there spreading the news to anyone else who feared the oncoming war. Their former countrymen disowned the refugees, deeming them traitors, and the new country was named Jiyukoku State (lit. “Freedom State State”) in the hopes that the island would be able to provide them freedoms their parent countries couldn't give them. After some years, the US decided to open up trade with Jiyukoku, as did Japan, but neither knew the other country traded with Jiyukoku. The new country wanted to show that they had more value than its natural resources, so they repackaged items they got from America and traded them with Japan, and vice-versa for profit. They were found out, leading both America and Japan shun the country.
80 years later, and while able to sustain itself, most of the world has forgotten about Jiyukoku State's existence. The US and Japan are still bitter, and see Jiyukokans as untrustworthy and misleading, which leads to various measures being put in place to prevent Jiyukokan emigration to those countries. However, they also see Jiyukoku State as a joke. Not uncommon are comedic depictions of "the stranger from the Pacific" lugging around mismatched currency, generally acting shifty, and getting exposed for something. Still, some people who feel like outcasts or second-rate citizens in the US and Japan look to Jiyukoku as a hope for greener pastures. Few people end up moving there, but they do.

Architecture

Houses tend to be small. Because many families run their own businesses, a lot of houses are designed similar to the machiya of Japan, with storefronts at the front of the house, and living quarters in the back. Compact ranch style houses are also popular. In the cities, newer buildings tend to be more minimalist, but some do experiment with color.

Geography

Jiyukoku State's environment is very lush and tropical. The landscape alternates between fertile farmlands and humid forests separated by (or intertwined with) towns. In the northeast, there's a mountain range. A few rivers flow throughout the island, and there's beaches lining the edges of it.

Natural Resources

Wood from the forests are abundant, and the farms yield nice produce. Does musical talent count as a natural resource?

Alternative Name(s)

自由国ステイト, Jiyukoku (自由国)

Population

<=400,000 citizens

Inhabitant Demonym

Jiyukokans / 自由国人 (Jiyukokujin)

Included Locations

• Flemmingway
• Iwayama
• Jiyukoku Junction
• Machiville