Saharin
Saharin is a fictitious East Asian country created for the Kintsugi novel series. Certain historical events have been revised to form this country and have it exist in a world otherwise our own.
Sahaliyan Ula (Black River) is the Manchu name for the Amur River. The name Saharin comes from this, as the name Sakhalin does in the real world. In the Kintsugi series, the island Sakhalin is called Karafuto, which was the name of the southern half when it was controlled by Japan.
Saharin was not as unwelcoming to Westerners as Japan and China. This is partly because they couldn't be. Towns and villages were spread out among the mountains and neither power nor military force were centralized. Also, merchants and traders were not treated with contempt as they were in Japan. Many inhabitants of port cities were interested in the potential riches and opportunities. Thus, the port cities - especially Eimei-Shi and Kimura, were quickly inhabited by Western trading companies and the people associated with them. Saharinese ships served as middle men as Japan, China and others were more likely to trade with Saharinese than Westerners. There are many Western European families in Saharin who can trace their ancestry to this time.
Trading with the West brought wealth and assistance in developing some of Saharin's natural resources. It also brought guns. The samurai clans of Saharin quickly adapted to using firearms, not only purchasing them but learning to make their own. Exactly as it occurred in Japan but earlier. Hojutsu, the art of firearms, became a critical part of Chowa-ryu, the regional martial arts system many Saharinese samurai and even commoners followed. This and alliances with the West, who were now stakeholders in Saharin's efforts to establish sovereignty, are largely credited with delaying major Russian aggression until 1900. 20th Century
In 1900, the Russian Empire invaded the Chinese-held area known as Manchuria and quickly included Saharin in their conquests. This period is now known as the First Russian War. Japan opposed Russian expansion and offered assistance to Saharin in exchange for the use of land and resources in their own conflicts. In this way, the First Russian War includes the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The combined forces of Japan and Saharin were able to rebuff the Russian Empire and victory was declared in 1905. However, Japan did not withdraw from Saharin. During the negotiations for the Treaty of Portsmouth, 1905, which ended the Russo-Japanese War, Japan claimed that Saharin was part of the Japanese Empire. Since Saharin's central government was a loose confederacy of feudal lords, there was no leader to invite or snub. Some Western maps had already included Saharin as part of Japan due to speaking the same language, while others knew it was claimed by China but simply corrected this to Japan once this was asserted on an international stage. Outcry from Saharin was largely unheard, as was the case with the rest of the territories claimed or conquered by the Japanese Empire. From 1905 to 1945, Saharin was under Japanese Occupation. Post World War II
Near the end of World War II, the USSR played a crucial role in forcing the Japanese surrender by declaring war and invading Manchuria and Saharin on August 9th, 1945. Saharinese initially welcomed the Soviet army as liberators and celebrated Japan's surrender, the end of the war and the end of Japanese Occupation. However, it quickly became clear that they had traded one occupying force for another as the Soviet army not only did not leave but began to assert dominance over Saharinese resources and industry. Until late 1946, Saharin suffered the Russian Incursion. It was primarily pressure from the U.S., though other nations supported Saharin, that forced the USSR to finally withdraw. While combating the USSR and communism were certainly motives, it is also widely accepted that self-interest played a role. The reason both Russia and Japan wanted to control Saharin is the same reason the U.S. wanted to foster independence and be a close ally.
Saharin is an extremely resource-rich country, producing oil, coal, natural gas, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, lead, zinc, flourspar, boron, limestone, marble, ashlar stones, fusible clay/brickearth, refractory clay/fire clay, porcelain stones and feldspar rhyolites. Timber and fishing are also major industries. U.S. and other Western oil and gas companies operate nearly all aspects of those industries from extraction to refinement to export. Western companies also have large stakes in some of the mining operations.
While most Saharinese are grateful and recognize that they would be a Russian territory without Western assistance, there is also resentment. Some dramatically claim that they are still an occupied country while others decry corruption and corrupting influences as entirely the fault of the West. This builds on the racist attitudes fostered and codified during the Japanese Occupation. Despite the fact that a significant part of the Western European population of Saharin are descendants of the Western trading companies and have therefore been Saharinese since the 17th century, all Europeans are treated as foreigners. People grouped as Russians are despised due to the constant boarder threat, which exploded into the Second Russian War in 1985 May and lasted until 1986 June.
These two factors and that the generation who directly suffered under the Japanese Occupation is passing away result in a resurgence of ethnic pride and feelings of cultural superiority among ethnic Japanese (and those who claim to be). As Japanese is the dominant language, the language used by the government and the education system, Saharinese readily consume Japanese cultural exports. The Saharinese school system was built under Japanese Occupation and much of it, including the emphasis on Japanese history and culture and thinking of Saharin as a descendant of Japan, has never been revised.
The Story of Saharin
Occupying territory that is part of Russia in the real world, Saharin encompasses what used to be outer Manchuria south of the Amur River and the island now known as Sakhalin. Revised history supposes the number of Japanese settlers to the area was much greater. Thus, during the time of the Tokugawa Shogunate in Japan, various Japanese samurai clans ruled the area that became Saharin. These were possibly those who ran afoul of the Tokugawa Shogunate or simply those who wished to seek other fortunes. As the islands of Japan were isolationist, those who emigrated to outer Manchuria became outsiders and established their own identity. Calling the land Saharin may have been to differentiate themselves from Manchuria, which was under Qing rule. In fact, though Saharinese history claims they 'won this land from China,' Chinese history does not document anything more than skirmishes with local warlords in the area. The Qing respected the ancestral land of the Manchus and considered all Manchuria as part of China. The The Treaty of Nerchinsk, 1689, and the Treaty of Kyakhta, 1727, probably read the same in this alternate history. 17th - 19th CenturySaharin was not as unwelcoming to Westerners as Japan and China. This is partly because they couldn't be. Towns and villages were spread out among the mountains and neither power nor military force were centralized. Also, merchants and traders were not treated with contempt as they were in Japan. Many inhabitants of port cities were interested in the potential riches and opportunities. Thus, the port cities - especially Eimei-Shi and Kimura, were quickly inhabited by Western trading companies and the people associated with them. Saharinese ships served as middle men as Japan, China and others were more likely to trade with Saharinese than Westerners. There are many Western European families in Saharin who can trace their ancestry to this time.
Trading with the West brought wealth and assistance in developing some of Saharin's natural resources. It also brought guns. The samurai clans of Saharin quickly adapted to using firearms, not only purchasing them but learning to make their own. Exactly as it occurred in Japan but earlier. Hojutsu, the art of firearms, became a critical part of Chowa-ryu, the regional martial arts system many Saharinese samurai and even commoners followed. This and alliances with the West, who were now stakeholders in Saharin's efforts to establish sovereignty, are largely credited with delaying major Russian aggression until 1900. 20th Century
In 1900, the Russian Empire invaded the Chinese-held area known as Manchuria and quickly included Saharin in their conquests. This period is now known as the First Russian War. Japan opposed Russian expansion and offered assistance to Saharin in exchange for the use of land and resources in their own conflicts. In this way, the First Russian War includes the Russo-Japanese War of 1904-1905. The combined forces of Japan and Saharin were able to rebuff the Russian Empire and victory was declared in 1905. However, Japan did not withdraw from Saharin. During the negotiations for the Treaty of Portsmouth, 1905, which ended the Russo-Japanese War, Japan claimed that Saharin was part of the Japanese Empire. Since Saharin's central government was a loose confederacy of feudal lords, there was no leader to invite or snub. Some Western maps had already included Saharin as part of Japan due to speaking the same language, while others knew it was claimed by China but simply corrected this to Japan once this was asserted on an international stage. Outcry from Saharin was largely unheard, as was the case with the rest of the territories claimed or conquered by the Japanese Empire. From 1905 to 1945, Saharin was under Japanese Occupation. Post World War II
Near the end of World War II, the USSR played a crucial role in forcing the Japanese surrender by declaring war and invading Manchuria and Saharin on August 9th, 1945. Saharinese initially welcomed the Soviet army as liberators and celebrated Japan's surrender, the end of the war and the end of Japanese Occupation. However, it quickly became clear that they had traded one occupying force for another as the Soviet army not only did not leave but began to assert dominance over Saharinese resources and industry. Until late 1946, Saharin suffered the Russian Incursion. It was primarily pressure from the U.S., though other nations supported Saharin, that forced the USSR to finally withdraw. While combating the USSR and communism were certainly motives, it is also widely accepted that self-interest played a role. The reason both Russia and Japan wanted to control Saharin is the same reason the U.S. wanted to foster independence and be a close ally.
Saharin is an extremely resource-rich country, producing oil, coal, natural gas, tin, tungsten, silver, gold, lead, zinc, flourspar, boron, limestone, marble, ashlar stones, fusible clay/brickearth, refractory clay/fire clay, porcelain stones and feldspar rhyolites. Timber and fishing are also major industries. U.S. and other Western oil and gas companies operate nearly all aspects of those industries from extraction to refinement to export. Western companies also have large stakes in some of the mining operations.
While most Saharinese are grateful and recognize that they would be a Russian territory without Western assistance, there is also resentment. Some dramatically claim that they are still an occupied country while others decry corruption and corrupting influences as entirely the fault of the West. This builds on the racist attitudes fostered and codified during the Japanese Occupation. Despite the fact that a significant part of the Western European population of Saharin are descendants of the Western trading companies and have therefore been Saharinese since the 17th century, all Europeans are treated as foreigners. People grouped as Russians are despised due to the constant boarder threat, which exploded into the Second Russian War in 1985 May and lasted until 1986 June.
These two factors and that the generation who directly suffered under the Japanese Occupation is passing away result in a resurgence of ethnic pride and feelings of cultural superiority among ethnic Japanese (and those who claim to be). As Japanese is the dominant language, the language used by the government and the education system, Saharinese readily consume Japanese cultural exports. The Saharinese school system was built under Japanese Occupation and much of it, including the emphasis on Japanese history and culture and thinking of Saharin as a descendant of Japan, has never been revised.
Structure
Saharin is a parliamentary republic and elects legislative members using a parallel voting system. Voters must be citizens of Saharin, at least 18 years of age and registered residents of their voting district. Candidates for office must be citizens of Saharin, must not hold additional citizenship in any other nation, must be a resident in their district and it must have been their primary residence for the past five years. National-level office candidates must have been born in Saharin. Candidates may be reservists but cannot be active members of the Saharin Defense Force as a person cannot be expected to fulfill both roles.
More typically called the Upper House, the House of Councilors has 52 members. Saharin is divided into 12 prefectures, which each have 3 Councilors elected by single non-transferable voting. There are an additional 24 seats that are filled by part-list proportional representation. Each party has a published, national list of potential councilors and fills their allotted seats by going down the list.
Councilors must be at least 30 years of age. A candidate may be both a named candidate and a list candidate. If a candidate on the list is elected directly, then that name is skipped when filling the party proportional seats. Elected members serve six year terms and elections are staggered so that only one third of the seats are up for election at a time. The Upper House cannot be dissolved.
Lower House/House of Representatives
More typically called the Lower House, the House of Representatives has 75 members. Saharin is divided into 48 districts, which each have one representative elected by First-past-the-post voting. There are an additional 27 seats filled by part-list proportional representation. Saharin is divided into five multi-member constituencies with the allotment of party proportional seats determined by population percentage. One party proportional seat is given for approximately 100,000 residents, rounded up, which means party proportional seats increase and decrease with population. The allotment of party proportional seats for each constituency is re-evaluated for every regular election. Districts are re-evaluated every ten-year census.
Representatives must be 25 years of age. A candidate may be both a named candidate and a list candidate. If a candidate on the list is elected directly, then that name is skipped when filling the party proportional seats. Elected members serve four year terms but the Lower House may be dissolved and a new election called by the prime minister or the passage of a no confidence vote.
Executive Branch
The Prime Minister is elected by the legislative houses from among their members. They use a two round system. If the houses select different candidates, they form a joint committee to decide. If a decision cannot be reached within ten days, the candidate elected by the Lower House is the de facto winner. The Prime Minister cannot be a reserve member of the Saharin Defense Force. This is because the Prime Minister is the commander-and-chief of the Saharin Defense Force and a person cannot hold two ranks simultaneously. However, candidates need only resign if elected, they do not have to do so prior to taking the office of Prime Minister.
Either House can, at any time, call a no confidence vote to remove the Prime Minister from office, but the other house must ratify the vote. As with any vote, a decision by the Upper House can be overridden by a two-thirds majority of the Lower House. Conversely, the Prime Minister may, at any time, dissolve the Lower House and call for a new election, though this may remove himself from office as a new selection for Prime Minister will be held once the newly elected Lower House is in place.
The Cabinet, which must minimally contain 10 members and may contain up to 15, is selected by the Prime Minister. The majority of Ministers must be selected from the legislature. While they are appointed and dismissed at the Prime Minster's discretion, the legislature may pass a vote of no confidence to require the entire cabinet to resign. Although it can be done separately, this has always been part of a no confidence vote against the Prime Minister. Additionally, the entire cabinet must resign each time a new Lower House is elected, even if the Prime Minister remains the same, which gives him the option to re-select them instead of dismiss them.
High Court
There are seven justices serving on the High Court. These are appointed by the Cabinet and ratified by both houses of the legislature. Justices must be at least 40 years of age and have a body of work that proves their knowledge of national law. Justices must resign by their 70th birthday.
Cities which have more than 100,000 people may have their own Assembly, but most towns/villages only have a mayor and his appointed cabinet and rural communities are directly governed by the prefecture.
National Government
Upper House/House of CouncilorsMore typically called the Upper House, the House of Councilors has 52 members. Saharin is divided into 12 prefectures, which each have 3 Councilors elected by single non-transferable voting. There are an additional 24 seats that are filled by part-list proportional representation. Each party has a published, national list of potential councilors and fills their allotted seats by going down the list.
Councilors must be at least 30 years of age. A candidate may be both a named candidate and a list candidate. If a candidate on the list is elected directly, then that name is skipped when filling the party proportional seats. Elected members serve six year terms and elections are staggered so that only one third of the seats are up for election at a time. The Upper House cannot be dissolved.
Lower House/House of Representatives
More typically called the Lower House, the House of Representatives has 75 members. Saharin is divided into 48 districts, which each have one representative elected by First-past-the-post voting. There are an additional 27 seats filled by part-list proportional representation. Saharin is divided into five multi-member constituencies with the allotment of party proportional seats determined by population percentage. One party proportional seat is given for approximately 100,000 residents, rounded up, which means party proportional seats increase and decrease with population. The allotment of party proportional seats for each constituency is re-evaluated for every regular election. Districts are re-evaluated every ten-year census.
Representatives must be 25 years of age. A candidate may be both a named candidate and a list candidate. If a candidate on the list is elected directly, then that name is skipped when filling the party proportional seats. Elected members serve four year terms but the Lower House may be dissolved and a new election called by the prime minister or the passage of a no confidence vote.
Executive Branch
The Prime Minister is elected by the legislative houses from among their members. They use a two round system. If the houses select different candidates, they form a joint committee to decide. If a decision cannot be reached within ten days, the candidate elected by the Lower House is the de facto winner. The Prime Minister cannot be a reserve member of the Saharin Defense Force. This is because the Prime Minister is the commander-and-chief of the Saharin Defense Force and a person cannot hold two ranks simultaneously. However, candidates need only resign if elected, they do not have to do so prior to taking the office of Prime Minister.
Either House can, at any time, call a no confidence vote to remove the Prime Minister from office, but the other house must ratify the vote. As with any vote, a decision by the Upper House can be overridden by a two-thirds majority of the Lower House. Conversely, the Prime Minister may, at any time, dissolve the Lower House and call for a new election, though this may remove himself from office as a new selection for Prime Minister will be held once the newly elected Lower House is in place.
The Cabinet, which must minimally contain 10 members and may contain up to 15, is selected by the Prime Minister. The majority of Ministers must be selected from the legislature. While they are appointed and dismissed at the Prime Minster's discretion, the legislature may pass a vote of no confidence to require the entire cabinet to resign. Although it can be done separately, this has always been part of a no confidence vote against the Prime Minister. Additionally, the entire cabinet must resign each time a new Lower House is elected, even if the Prime Minister remains the same, which gives him the option to re-select them instead of dismiss them.
High Court
There are seven justices serving on the High Court. These are appointed by the Cabinet and ratified by both houses of the legislature. Justices must be at least 40 years of age and have a body of work that proves their knowledge of national law. Justices must resign by their 70th birthday.
Local Government
Saharin is divided into 12 prefectures. Each prefecture has a governor elected by first-past-the-post voting. Candidates for governor must be at least 30 years of age. Each prefecture is further divided into districts that each elect an Assemblyman to a unicameral legislature. Candidates for the Prefecture's Assembly must be at least 25 years of age.Cities which have more than 100,000 people may have their own Assembly, but most towns/villages only have a mayor and his appointed cabinet and rural communities are directly governed by the prefecture.
Demography and Population
The population of Saharin is about 2.65 million.
About 0.5 million live on the island of Karafuto.
About 1.3 million live in the five largest cities.
About 0.5 million live on the island of Karafuto.
About 1.3 million live in the five largest cities.
The five largest cities are:
Eimei-shi, the capital: ~600,000.
Toyohara, Karafuto: ~192,000.
Okinami, Yamagiri Prefecture: ~190,000.
Kimura, Yamagiri Prefecture: ~160,000.
Kounomachi, Kotetsu Prefecture:~158,000.
The reported ethnicities of Saharin are:
87% Japanese
6.5% Russian
4% Western European
2% Korean
0.5% Other
Ethnicities are self-reported and likely would not match a genetic analysis of the population.
During the Japanese Occupation, many families changed their names and claimed to be ethnic Japanese. Some went as far as to destroy records while others have no reason to correct their assumed label as it is still favorable. Most likely, many so-called ethnic Japanese are actually at least part Han Chinese, Manchu, Korean and other groups with enough phenotypic similarity to 'pass.' Primarily, those who currently identify as Korean were forced to immigrate during the Japanese Occupation.
The grouping 'Russian' is also misleading. Prior to the Japanese Occupation, this label was applied to those whose common language was Russian and was not intended to identify ethnicity. Russian was commonly spoken in the north and in rural populations throughout Saharin. While there were and are people of Slavic decent, most people identified as 'Russian' are, in fact, Manchu-Tungusic, Mongolian, Nivkh and/or Aniu. Some of the indigenous peoples, typically those who intermarried with Han Chinese or Japanese and took Japanese names are counted as Japanese.
During the Japanese Occupation, everyone was forced to learn and speak Japanese. 'Russian' remained a catch-all identifier for people who were not in another recognized category (Japanese, Eurpoean, Korean, Chinese, etc.) This use remains and is reinforced by those who are heritage speakers of Russian.
'Other' includes those who recently immigrated or re-identified themselves as Chinese or Mongolian and those of indigenous tribes who reclaimed their cultural identity. It may also include those who immigrated from the U.S. who are of African or South American heritage; direct immigration from those areas is rare or non-existent.
Military
The Saharin Defense Force (SDF) is divided into: Army, Navy, Air Force, Military Intelligence, Logistics and Support Staff. The SDF Army Division includes border patrol and disaster relief work, such as responding to an earthquake. The SDF Naval Division includes coast guard and sea search and rescue. The SDF Air Force includes all air patrol and air combat forces. Military Intelligence includes national cyber security. All divisions have reserve forces who are trained, continue to train periodically, and may serve periodically in short terms.
All Saharinese citizens must register for the Saharin Defense Force Emergency Service (SDFES) at age 18. Male citizens are required to serve at least six months, beginning between the ages of 18 and 25, and then continue in the reserve core for at least six years. Citizens who intend to attend university are encourage to do that first and their chosen careers are considered when assigning roles. Female citizens are encouraged to serve but not mandated unless an emergency is declared and the individual is drafted. Active military and reserve core members receive free (approved) medical care and a salary. Citizens who remain in active service or the reserve core until 45 receive a pension and continued free medical care. Citizens who serve in a time of war are entitled to the same. Typical mandatory service is with the army, often with the boarder patrol. A person may volunteer to join the navy or air force instead, which requires nine months of active service and may require more active days as a reservist but offers greater pay. Mildly disabled persons may be directed to support staff roles. Moderate to severe disabilities are evaluated case-by-case. Proclaimed religious belief may also allow a citizen to serve in a support staff role. In addition to mandatory peacetime service and reserve service, SDFES may draft citizens, ages 18 - 40, in a time of war. In times of declared emergency, which may include natural disasters, if there are not enough reservists to meet needs, SDFES may draft additional citizens ages 18 - 30. A citizen with a good cause to defer a draft summons, such as being the primary caregiver for a child or working in a vital field such as doctor or teacher, must submit proof. In fact, SDFES will check the tax registry and attempt not to call those in vital fields unless need is high. A citizen who wishes to defer without being able to show proof of a good cause must pay a fine. The fine is much higher for a wartime draft than an emergency situation. Failure to pay the fine results in jail time. Unless the need for respondent citizens is high, the option to defer with a payment may be included in the summons. Fines collected go toward the disaster relief fund. Citizens who previously served in a time of war may defer a SDFES emergency draft without penalty (but not another war).
Citizens who refuse to register for SDFES or complete mandatory service pay an extra 3% in income taxes, the same as is required for non-citizen residents, to support the defense of Saharin that way.
Many foreigners from a country that also allows dual citizenship have taken the steps to become Saharin citizens. Persons obtaining Saharinese citizenship over the age of 28 are except from mandatory military service but must register with the SDFES for the draft if under the age of 40. Any registered citizen expecting to be out of the country for longer than a month must notify the SDFES. Citizens who are out of the country or otherwise do not answer a SDFES draft are automatically counted as a deferred without good cause. If the citizen answers late but does serve, the fine may be waived.
The formation of SDF, which was a reorganization of Saharin's existing military, and legislation for the above occurred in 1983 amid growing fears of USSR hostility. Some theorize that the USSR attacked in the spring of 1984 because Saharin was reorganizing and improving their defensive capability.
There is heavy recruitment in rural communities and among the urban poor as military service promises to educate and prepare citizens for a career in or out of the military. Citizens who do not yet have a career path at age 18 are encouraged to report for their mandatory service. Citizens who report before the age of 20 are given incentives to make the military their career. Future citizens intending to enroll in a military academy may apply for tuition assistance to complete high school. Tuition assistance and reimbursement may also be sought for those who are obtaining a university degree that may then be applied to a military career such as medical or engineering fields. Male citizens ages 18 - 30 are not eligible for welfare services unless complete medical exemption paperwork is on file or other hardship is successfully claimed, such as a dependent child, as citizens in this age range can always find employment with SDF.
All Saharinese citizens must register for the Saharin Defense Force Emergency Service (SDFES) at age 18. Male citizens are required to serve at least six months, beginning between the ages of 18 and 25, and then continue in the reserve core for at least six years. Citizens who intend to attend university are encourage to do that first and their chosen careers are considered when assigning roles. Female citizens are encouraged to serve but not mandated unless an emergency is declared and the individual is drafted. Active military and reserve core members receive free (approved) medical care and a salary. Citizens who remain in active service or the reserve core until 45 receive a pension and continued free medical care. Citizens who serve in a time of war are entitled to the same. Typical mandatory service is with the army, often with the boarder patrol. A person may volunteer to join the navy or air force instead, which requires nine months of active service and may require more active days as a reservist but offers greater pay. Mildly disabled persons may be directed to support staff roles. Moderate to severe disabilities are evaluated case-by-case. Proclaimed religious belief may also allow a citizen to serve in a support staff role. In addition to mandatory peacetime service and reserve service, SDFES may draft citizens, ages 18 - 40, in a time of war. In times of declared emergency, which may include natural disasters, if there are not enough reservists to meet needs, SDFES may draft additional citizens ages 18 - 30. A citizen with a good cause to defer a draft summons, such as being the primary caregiver for a child or working in a vital field such as doctor or teacher, must submit proof. In fact, SDFES will check the tax registry and attempt not to call those in vital fields unless need is high. A citizen who wishes to defer without being able to show proof of a good cause must pay a fine. The fine is much higher for a wartime draft than an emergency situation. Failure to pay the fine results in jail time. Unless the need for respondent citizens is high, the option to defer with a payment may be included in the summons. Fines collected go toward the disaster relief fund. Citizens who previously served in a time of war may defer a SDFES emergency draft without penalty (but not another war).
Citizens who refuse to register for SDFES or complete mandatory service pay an extra 3% in income taxes, the same as is required for non-citizen residents, to support the defense of Saharin that way.
Many foreigners from a country that also allows dual citizenship have taken the steps to become Saharin citizens. Persons obtaining Saharinese citizenship over the age of 28 are except from mandatory military service but must register with the SDFES for the draft if under the age of 40. Any registered citizen expecting to be out of the country for longer than a month must notify the SDFES. Citizens who are out of the country or otherwise do not answer a SDFES draft are automatically counted as a deferred without good cause. If the citizen answers late but does serve, the fine may be waived.
The formation of SDF, which was a reorganization of Saharin's existing military, and legislation for the above occurred in 1983 amid growing fears of USSR hostility. Some theorize that the USSR attacked in the spring of 1984 because Saharin was reorganizing and improving their defensive capability.
There is heavy recruitment in rural communities and among the urban poor as military service promises to educate and prepare citizens for a career in or out of the military. Citizens who do not yet have a career path at age 18 are encouraged to report for their mandatory service. Citizens who report before the age of 20 are given incentives to make the military their career. Future citizens intending to enroll in a military academy may apply for tuition assistance to complete high school. Tuition assistance and reimbursement may also be sought for those who are obtaining a university degree that may then be applied to a military career such as medical or engineering fields. Male citizens ages 18 - 30 are not eligible for welfare services unless complete medical exemption paperwork is on file or other hardship is successfully claimed, such as a dependent child, as citizens in this age range can always find employment with SDF.
Religion
Self-identified:
39% Shinto & Buddhist
16% Buddhist
9% Catholic
6% Russian Orthodox
3% Shinto
1% Other
26% Non-Religious or Spiritual
39% Shinto & Buddhist
16% Buddhist
9% Catholic
6% Russian Orthodox
3% Shinto
1% Other
26% Non-Religious or Spiritual
Laws
Age-related Laws:
Age of Consent: 13
A person cannot consent to sexual acts until the age of 13. Acts between a person 20 years or older and a person between 13 and 16 may be subject to scrutiny and prosecution depending on circumstance, such as if the older person is in a position of responsibility for the younger person.Labor Laws
An employee must be at least 14 years old, unless employed by their family's small business. Persons under 16 without a certificate of completed education may not work over 20 hours per week. Certain occupations may require the employee to be 18 years of age, including labor-intensive jobs, military enlistment, operating heavy machinery, etc. Employees of sex-related industries, such as cabaret clubs or pornography, must be at least 18. Hostesses must be at least 16 while a hostess club may employ as young as 14 in other jobs.Contractual Consent: 18
A person may not enter into a contract until the age of 18, including taking out loans, opening a bank account and sales contracts. Exceptions include employment contracts (14) and standard terms and conditions agreements (13). Persons 16 - 18 years may create a family registry with written permission of a parent but this is not often done because the parent then no longer has the tax credit of having a child.Tattoos: 18
A person 16 - 18 may get a tattoo with written permission from a parent, otherwise a person must be over the age of 18. The business and involved employees may face prosecution and/or license revocation, but the underage person does not face consequences. (Using a fake ID and other fraudulent practices may be prosecuted.)Pornography: 18
A person must be over 18 to purchase pornography and other sexually-themed items. Birth control, lubrication and similar items, classified under health and wellness, are not included in the age limit. The definition of pornography does not include cartoons as long as no genitals or female nipples are explicitly depicted. The business and involved employees may face prosecution and/or license revocation, but the underage person does not face consequences. (Using a fake ID and other fraudulent practices may be prosecuted.)Alcohol & Tobacco: 20
A person must be 20 to purchase alcohol or tobacco products. Giving alcohol or tobacco products to a person under 20 is also illegal unless it is the person's parent or part of a religious ceremony (with parental permission). If accompanied by a parent, a person 16 - 20 may consume alcohol in a business licensed to serve alcohol. The business and involved employees may face prosecution and/or license revocation, but the underage person does not face consequences. (Using a fake ID and other fraudulent practices may be prosecuted.)This is often not well-enforced, especially in areas of organized crime where bribes to law enforcement and licensing agencies are common.
Drug Laws
Illegal Substances
The majority of known mind-altering substances are illegal to possess. Alcohol and tobacco are the exceptions. Certain drugs are approved for medical use and permitted in that context. Manufacturing, distributing, smuggling, etc. those substances deemed illegal carry greater criminal weight than personal use.Sale & Service
To sell alcohol or tobacco to the public, a business must obtain a license from the local municipality. Sale between businesses does not require a license, but importing from another country is subject to a tax. To serve alcohol, the business must obtain a separate license from the local municipality. Businesses may choose whether to allow tobacco use on their premises with certain exceptions like educational institutions, medical facilities, and places where flammable chemicals are used or stored.Use
A person may drink alcohol or use tobacco in public except where restricted, such as school property or a medical facility. A person may not operate a motor vehicle, including a boat, heavy machinery, or firearms while under the influence of alcohol. Intent to operate can be prosecuted. If the person commits a crime while under the influence of any mind-altering substance, use of that substance is not a defense and may, instead, include added charges such as reckless behavior.Education
Compulsory education includes 1st - 9th grades. All Saharin citizens must begin school at age 6, entering 1st grade. All Saharin citizens must attend school through the completion of 9th grade or age 16, whichever occurs first. For students declared incapable of meeting standard requirements, school districts must provide support for students through the age of 18 with the goal of ensuring these students have the best chance of being functional members of society. Standardized, subject-based tests are given in 8th or 9th grade and contribute to the requirements for a graduation and the type of certificate.
Many communities have government grants to offer kindergarten, which may have limited seats. Some communities have public funds to apply to 10th - 12th grade, either giving private schools the money to apply to scholarships or funding a public high school and/or technical school. Saharin's universities are given grants in order to offer scholarships to qualified Saharinese students. The Saharinese government may use these grants to attempt to push students into careers that are needed.
In Saharin, the school year usually begins the first Monday of April and ends the second to last week of March. Exceptions can occur if this does not result in two weeks off between the end and start. Students must turn 6 before the first day of school to enter 1st grade in a public school. Private schools may determine requirements differently. Public schools have a summer break, which usually includes the month of July and first half of August. There is also a winter break, which is usually the week including New Year's. Most schools organize themselves into trimesters that last from the start of school to summer break, the end of summer break to winter break and then the end of winter break to the last day.
Many communities have government grants to offer kindergarten, which may have limited seats. Some communities have public funds to apply to 10th - 12th grade, either giving private schools the money to apply to scholarships or funding a public high school and/or technical school. Saharin's universities are given grants in order to offer scholarships to qualified Saharinese students. The Saharinese government may use these grants to attempt to push students into careers that are needed.
In Saharin, the school year usually begins the first Monday of April and ends the second to last week of March. Exceptions can occur if this does not result in two weeks off between the end and start. Students must turn 6 before the first day of school to enter 1st grade in a public school. Private schools may determine requirements differently. Public schools have a summer break, which usually includes the month of July and first half of August. There is also a winter break, which is usually the week including New Year's. Most schools organize themselves into trimesters that last from the start of school to summer break, the end of summer break to winter break and then the end of winter break to the last day.
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White lines are major roadways.
Capital
Alternative Names
皐波林
Demonym
Saharinese
Government System
Democracy, Parliamentary
Power Structure
Unitary state
Economic System
Mixed economy
Legislative Body
Lower House/House of Representatives
Upper House/House of Councilors
Upper House/House of Councilors
Judicial Body
High Court
Executive Body
Prime Minister
Cabinet of Ministers
Cabinet of Ministers
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