Satoyama

Republic of Satoyama 暁山民国 (Satoyaman) Satoyama Minkoku
Flag Coat of arms
Motto: 個人への力 Power to the Individual
Anthem: "National Anthem of Satoyama"
Location of Satoyama in the Akarean Subcontinent of the Orient
Capital and largest city	Nagahama
Official languages	Satoyaman
Ethnic groups (2015)	75% Satoyaman 10% Akarean (includes Hautsing Akareans) 5% Hykkogwaa 9% Other (mainly foreign expats)
Religion (2015)	45.8% Kakaido 54.2% Other/irreligious
Demonym(s)	Satoyaman
Government	Unitary presidential democratic constitutional republic
• President	Kenshi Sonoda
Legislature	House of Councillors (参議院; Sangin; unicameral)
Independence from the Akarean Empire
• Independence	~700 CE, 1858 CE
• Republic of Satoyama	1960 CE
Population
• 2016 census	5,225,107
Currency	Satoyaman yen (YMY)
Time zone	Hautsing Time (HST, TET+8)
Driving side	left
Calling code	+34
WC Country Code	YMA
Internet TLD	.ym

This article is about the sovereign state on the eastern side of the island of Satoyama/Xiaoshan. For the Akarean national republic on the western side of the island, see West Satoyama.

Satoyama, officially the Republic of Satoyama (Satoyaman: 暁山民国, Satoyama Minkoku), sometimes East Satoyama to distinguish it from the island as a whole or West Satoyama, is a country in the Orient on the eastern side of the island of Satoyama (Satoyaman: 暁山, Satoyama; Mandarin: 晓山, Xiaoshan), and is often considered part of the Akarean Subcontinent. It is the smallest recognized country in the world by land area. Like other small states such as Drulluhus and Luxlein, Satoyama's industrial and economic output greatly overshadows its size and is seen as a tax haven. Satoyama is an associate member of the Kaltach Union, thus receiving benefits such as economic development, trade, mutual defense and a diplomatic bloc, but not being able to vote on Kaltach affairs. Satoyama shares a border with Akarea through its national republic of West Satoyama.

Satoyama has a population of 5,225,000 to the nearest 1,000 according to the 2015 national census. It is rich in biodiversity and geographical diversity, being home to millions of species of flora and fauna, including insects, arachnids, amphibians, reptiles, birds, mammals, crustaceans and fish living off the coast, the beaches, in the city and the rainforest.

The first signs of Satoyaman civilization emerged centuries ago. They were colonized by Akarea in around 500AD, which brought significant influence upon Satoyama's culture and language. They achieved full independence from the empire in 700AD, and from that point on, began to develop on their own. Re-colonizing the peninsula in the 10th century, the Akarean Empire imposed upon Satoyama an imperial family of its own, which ruled Satoyama from its independence until the mid-20th Century. Satoyama became a republic in 1960, with an elected president replacing the emperor as head of state. The Satoyaman legislature is the Sangin (lit. "House of Councillors"; Satoyaman: 参議院), in which a great number of political parties are represented.

Satoyama is known for its strong, diverse economy led primarily by the technology, service and automotive industries. Moreover, it is famed for its culture, cuisine, its efficient public transport system, its success in motor racing and social progressivism. Same-sex marriage and gender equality has historically been an important part of Satoyaman society since ancient times, with the exception of the latter part of the country's imperial era. Capital punishment was briefly abolished in 1972, until it was brought back in 1981.

Etymology

The name "Satoyama" was the name given to the plot of land where the first groups of their civilisation began to create their own cultures and languages during the tribal era. The name translates to "Mountain of Sato", named after a legendary warrior who was the leader of the most powerful tribe in the country at the time, residing on the mountainous areas of the country. According to legends, he ran faster than a falcon in flight and was able to beat a panther in combat.

The name of the country and the Akarean national republic are both drawn from the name of the island.

History

Early History

Pre-history

By 1,500 BC, the first modern humans arrived on the peninsula. The earliest known modern humans in Satoyama date back to around 1,000 BC. These groups of humans formed tribes and evolved and learned how to adapt to the tropical landscape of the peninsula, where dangerous animals were very common. They also formed their own cultures and religions, with every tribe worshipping a different god. All people lived in a nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle. More evidence of prehistoric Satoyama exists in the form of highly detailed pottery, swords and jewelry, unearthed in Mount Sato in 1987. Satoyama's language was known as "Satoji", which consisted entirely of letters now known as "hiragana", found on the walls of caves in the form of poems.

First Colonial Era

In around 500 AD, Akarean imperial warriors arrived in Satoyama, which was on the path of their greater land expansion. Though they were intimidated by the senoto of the local tribes, who congregated together to defend their land against the new threat, they still managed to outnumber and barely overpower the locals, establishing the first era of Akarean rule in Satoyama. Due to the influence of the empire they were now ruled under, new forms of the Satōji language were created - fukuji, which were Akarean characters, and katakana, which were Akarean-inspired letters used to transliterate foreign words.

The Saisei Period

During around 710 AD, local warriors staged a rebellion against the Akarean colonizers with their new weapons and armor developed with materials provided to them by the empire. The Akareans suffered a crushing defeat and retreated off the peninsula, not returning after several centuries later. What was known as the "Saisei" (再生; lit. "rebirth") period began in around 720 AD, which was characterized by wet-rice farming and metallurgy, shifting from the use of wood, shells and stone which was common in the previous centuries. Men and women were granted equal work opportunities.

The Ikari Plague

In the late 10th century, a disease of unknown origin struck Satoyama. Known only as the Ikari (怒り; lit. "rage") plague in ancient documents, it was said to send its hosts into an uncontrollable rage with a thirst for human blood, following a period of excruciating bodily pain. Once infected, hosts would go on to attack, infect or even kill other people, before dying on their own after about 12 hours. The disease ravaged the country for three years, wiping out as much as a third of the entire country's population. Attempts were made to create cures for the virus, but none were successful. In about 998 AD, the plague disappeared just as miraculously as it appeared.

In 2013, scientists managed to recover genetic material of the plague's victims. It was found to be an unusual form of bloodborne virus. The virus, once entering a human body, overloaded the victim's entire nervous system, causing them to lose all physical and mental restraint and control, while numbing the sense of pain. Victims would also vomit blood, which was a primary method of transmission.

Feudal Era

Satoyama's feudal era was characterized by the emergence of a new, dominant warrior class, the samurai. What was believed to be the first piece of Samurai armor, a helmet, was found in an ancient, buried temple towards the north of the peninsula, which dated to around the latter part of the 10th century. The emergence of Samurai was formed from a necessity to protect one's own farms, livestock, and home, due to thieves becoming a major problem.

The need to protect one's own home became the need to invade others' for personal gain, leading to bloody battles between warriors which were fought primarily with swords, which were sometimes heated to cause heavier injuries, bows and arrows, and steel knuckles. The warrior who amassed the largest amount of land was given the privilege of being the de-facto ruler of the peninsula. However, this was a highly unstable form of government - at the peak of Samurai fights, Satoyama was believed to have changed rulers every week or so. This eventually transitioned to several samurai forming factions of their own, identified by the use of different bright colors of paint used on the armor that they wore, and in extreme cases, flags that they carried on their backs. As a result, there were larger-scale battles between multiple factions. As before, whichever faction had the highest amount of land formed the government of the country, and the leader of the faction thus became the ruler. However, there existed several warriors who did not belong to a faction, or even had any land to defend, and battled other samurai, and even whole factions, mostly for personal reasons, ranging from grudges to simple enjoyment of combat. These were known as Ronin (浪人; lit. "Drifter") and were identified by their use of straw hats.

Imperial Era

Under the Akarean Empire

Satoyama's imperial era began in the 10th century when Akarean forces arrived in Satoyama and overpowered the samurai clans, temporarily taking power. Realizing that this was not a feasible long-term plan, the emperor ordered a team of diplomats to find a selection of candidates to rule the nation as a de-facto leader. The leader was also tasked with annually reporting to the Akarean emperor about the progress made in the country. With this, the nation was unified and the imperial era in Satoyama began, lasting for almost 1000 years over 13 generations, making it the longest era in Satoyama's history. The samurai were repurposed as the imperial army.

As per the suggestions of the Akarean emperor who had the intention to unite the country, every tribe's religion was combined into a new, multi-deity religion known as Kakaido (下界道). According to the new Kakaido scripture, love is universal so long as it is moral, and thus same-sex marriage was officially legalized. However, acts of pedophilia and bestiality resulted in severe punishment, and those guilty of it were labeled heretics.

In the 16th century, Kanadiaans and Oseanian traders reached Satoyama for the first time, beginning direct cultural exchanges with the North. The imperial army were granted the use of firearms. An unsuccessful attack on Hykko occurred in 1704, leading to the Akarean empire's intervention and the execution of the emperor at the time.

Independent Satoyama

REQUIRES REWORKING FOLLOWING AKAREAN LORE RETCON The ruling Akarean empire fell in 1858, effectively making Satoyama an independent nation. However, they continued to run under an absolute monarchy with the imperial Tojo family. Foreign forms of clothing and food reached the nation during the earlier part of this era, marking a big change in Satoyaman fashion, although it was restricted to the upper classes.

With the disappearance of Akarean rule, the Satoyaman populace had hopes for reform in the future, but that ultimately never came to fruitition. The following century was defined by huge class differences, with the wealth gap ratio speculated to be around 5000%. About 60% of the population was deemed to be in poverty, and little to no effort was made to tone down these differences. Sexism and homophobia became rampant as women were "encouraged" to take household roles and same-sex marriage was outlawed for the first time in 1932. The senoto was also outlawed, as the monarchy believed it "disturbed the peace".

Makoto, the final emperor of Satoyama, was known for his lavish lifestyle and having 20 different wives, not including his countless concubines. In 1952, he used taxpayer money to throw a party with other nations' leaders and monarchs in attendance. He had a brutal style of leadership, making torture or even death the consequence of criticism of the empire. Public tortures and executions of those who openly opposed the regime were very common, utilizing a variety of gruesome methods. All these were done in Furugawa Square in the city center, which is now a memorial. Records of those that were found guilty were completely erased, effectively "disappearing" them. The nation's only semblance of law enforcement took the form of drunk officers roaming the streets with katana swords intimidating and even slashing people on the streets, both innocent and guilty.

On October 26 1959, at approximately 3:25 AM, an earthquake of magnitude 8.5 struck Satoyama. As it happened in the early morning, many were not prepared, which caused major damage all across the nation. The earthquake took an estimated 7,500 casualties. Several days later on the 29th, Mount Sato erupted, flooding small communities at the foot of the volcano with lava. Casualties were estimated to be at 5,500. Finally, on the 31st, a category-5 hurricane with wind speeds reaching 180 mph reached the peninsula and destroyed several structures around the coastline, while also triggering a tsunami, flooding 75% of the country's landmass, taking about 10,250 casualties. Rebuilding efforts were incredibly slow, highlighting the inefficiency of the imperial court. The country would not be fully rebuilt until the 1970s with assistance from Kaltach nations. Kakaidoists named this event the "wrath of the Guardians", believing that the practices of the emperor angered them.

In 1960, towards the end of the Tara Insurgencies, the Satoyaman population's disapproval of the emperor reached its peak. Inspired by the dissents occurring across the world during this time, large-scale waves of protests broke out.

Post-Imperial Era

The Burning

On July 6, 1960, anti-imperial protests reached their peak across the nation, resulting in about 200 deaths in that day alone. Cars were destroyed, windows were smashed and policemen were brutally beaten up. That night, a lone arson carried two large tanks of oil and a light machine gun of suspected Edofasian origin into the imperial palace. He used his firearm to kill imperial guards who tried to stop him. Once he doused the halls with oil, he lit the palace on fire, destroying it, while killing himself in the process. What is left of the imperial family's jewelry can be viewed in the Satoyama History Museum. The emperor's family managed to get out of the palace earlier that day, boarding a plane headed for Alayka. Upon entry, the Terran nation agreed to grant Makoto and his family refugee status given that he renounced his throne. With this, the centuries-long imperial dynasty of Satoyama came to an end.

Formation of the Republic

Following the abolishment of the Satoyaman empire and the burning of the imperial castle, several political parties of varying standpoints gained bigger followings. They actually emerged during around the 1940s and 1950s, but remained underground for several decades as they continued to build on their ideologies and aims. In all, 8 major parties, along with several smaller ones, formed a coalition government, and the nation was declared to be a republic. Every citizen of Satoyama above the age of 18 was, for the first time, granted the ability to vote for a presidential candidate.

The Decade of Bloodshed

[image] A group of Satoyaman gangsters, circa 1966.

As a result of the abdication, dissent grew all across the nation, particularly in families that had close ties to the imperial court, as well as those who still sympathized with Satoyama's previous government. They combined, forming gangs, ideologies reminiscent of the samurai clans that ruled the country during feudal times. They spreaded disturbance and panic to the general populace for almost a decade, driving loud modified cars and bikes around at dangerous speeds, sometimes even ramming other motorists off the road. According to reports, they chased innocent people into dark alleyways, giving them a choice between an execution by katana or a gangrape. Many gangs who resided in the north of the country near the rainforest chose to execute victims in the woods. An estimated 2,500 people annually fell victim to this practice. Some gangs had rivalries with each other, resulting in massive, gory gang wars that took place on the streets of quieter areas of the city. Due to the opening of borders, many dangerous drugs from other countries made their way into the country which caused a drug problem, still prevalent to this day. In response, a strengthening of the police force was unanimously voted into place. The police were granted access to firearms to compliment their batons, as well as higher-performance vehicles to intercept gang cars and bikes. The vast majority of gangsters were rehabilitated and became functioning members of society, while notorious gang leaders and gangsters were the last people in Satoyama to be executed before capital punishment was officially abolished. Finalizing the end of the crime wave, an Education Law was passed with the introduction of the new constitution of 1972, mandating education for all children, recognizing that a lack of time spent in school is a primary factor of gang activity.

Post-new constitution Satoyama

Following the end of the crime wave, the country was stricken with trauma. Above all other matters, restoring peace was the primary objective of every political party and organization. Privately-owned katana swords and firearms were banned until 1980 when they were once again legalized. Children were taught about the acts of violence committed by the samurai, the imperial army and the gangsters, and were encouraged to be kind to one another. Satoyama joined the Kaltach Union upon its founding in 1974 as an observer state. During the same year, Satoyama engaged in close relations and initiated a comprehensive trade deal with with Wydra, a non-Kaltach nation at the time. Women were once again given full suffrage and equal pay, and same-sex marriage was re-legalized. The senoto was performed for the first time in public during the 1975 World Games by the Satoyaman rugby team before a match, restarting the centuries-old tradition.

The beginning of the "Golden Age"

By the early 1980s, the nation was back on its feet again. Businesses saw major success in global markets, competing with larger foreign companies. In particular, the computer and automotive industries were booming by the mid-1980s, their products consumed all over the world. Forms of entertainment, such as S-pop music and Satoyama-produced films became globally acclaimed. The Tadao GameDude, released in 1986, revolutionized gaming worldwide, providing hours of entertainment in a small, compact package with a simple 8-button setup. Games could be purchased as small chips and were slotted inside of the GameDude to be played.

Modern-day Satoyama

In the late 1980s and early 1990s, Satoyama had a reputation for having the highest suicide rate in the world, which could be traced to the country's stringent work culture and high academic pressure. The Innovation Alliance and Social Democratic political parties proposed two new amendments to the country's constitution. The SDP wrote a labor protection law, which mandated maximum work hours, minimum break hours and increased minimum wages, while the IA revised the Education Law, presenting a new format in education that catered to a student's own interests and skills. Both amendments were passed with a near-unanimous vote. Following this, social pressure in general decreased significantly.

In 1998, then-president Shuhei Okawa announced the "New Millennium Plan", which aimed to "successfully transform Satoyama into a nation of the future" by 2000. Businesses were further subsidized by the government and encouraged to develop, use and sell improved forms of technology. At the same time, multiple infrastructure projects were kicked into motion, such as the Millennium Line maglev project. The military swapped almost all of its obsolete technology for new and improved equipment.

Satoyama was affected by the 2004-2005 Akarean SARS-CoV epidemic. There were about 10,500 reported cases of the virus in Satoyama during the first month of the pandemic, as well as nearly 80 deaths. Mass panic was caused by the virus, as Satoyama had not suffered such a severe virus outbreak since the Ikari plague of ancient times. Strict quarantine measures were put into place to control the outbreak, and the country's borders were closed. During this time period, jungle animals such as panthers and wild boar were reported to be seen roaming the streets due to lack of human activity. Restrictions were eased in late 2004 as fewer cases were being reported.

To this day, Satoyama remains one of the most economically powerful and culturally influential nations in the world. Businesses, old and new, small and large, continue to grow and expand on a global basis. Anime and manga are considered to be Satoyama's most important cultural export, consumed by fans all over the world.

Geography

Satoyama is a tropical nation lined entirely by beaches and rocks. The northern part of the country is taken up entirely by mountainous rainforests, which are now national parks. Mount Sato, Satoyama's tallest mountain, volcano, and namesake lies in the west of the country, its peak shared between Satoyama and Akarea. It is seen as a religious site and a direct entrance into the afterlife by Kakaido believers.

Climate

Satoyama experiences hot, humid weather that remains the same all year long. Precipitation is heavy, especially during the rainy season, which lasts from May to August. In January to February, typhoons also bring heavy rain, which may cause problems in agriculture. The highest temperature ever recorded in Satoyama was 36.9 °C (98.42 °F)

Biodiversity

Satoyama possesses almost 3 million classified species, which have evolved to adapt to the tropical climate. Due to biological protection policies implemented by the government, many of Satoyama's species remain in Least Concern condition.

[image] Examples of animals native to Satoyama. Bordering the country is the Niji Reef, which contains 1 million species alone living across its full 120km length. Diverse species of fish, molluscs, coral, seaweed, crustacea, turtles, sharks, rays, dolphins, porpoises and whales live off the coast of Satoyama. Horseshoe crabs, small penguins and seabirds can commonly be seen on the beaches. Marine iguanas, only found in Satoyama, can be seen swimming close to the coast, or resting on the rocks. The beach contains what is known as "star sand", which is in fact the fossilized exoskeletons of single-celled starfish-like organisms dating back to an estimated 50 million years.

Further up north, Satoyama contains rainforests and hot springs. The rainforests contain a massive variety of insects, arachnids, birds, reptiles, amphibians, small primates and the Satoyaman panther, the largest land predator in the Orient, which weighs about 350KG on average. Other Satoyaman apex predators include the clouded leopard, monitor lizards, snakes, eagles, hawks and crocodiles. Within the rainforests, thousands of species reside in the clearwater lakes, including fish. The hot springs are home to the Satoyaman Macaque and the Lesser Capybara. The indigenous "Nene" goose lives on the feet of volcanoes.

Many species of fruit-doves, ducks, parrots, and finches live in the metropolitan and suburban areas of Satoyama. Slider turtles, ducks, wading birds and hummingbirds are common sights in parks. Predatory birds such as hawks, falcons and owls fly high over the city. In recent decades, the Satoyaman government has made adjustments to city infrastructure in order to make the cityscape more friendly towards wildlife. Occasionally, large apex predators can be seen roaming the suburban areas of the city, though little to no human attacks have been recorded.

Demographics

Satoyama has a population of 5,225,107, of which 4,071,341 are Satoyaman nationals. A large population of expats makes up the latter. As of 2016, 95% of Satoyama's population resides in the metropolitan area. Hykkogwa and Akareans make up most of Satoyama's minority groups. Ethnic Satoyaman people are generally distinguished by their very light-colored skin, impervious to the effects of tanning. The average height of Satoyaman males is 5'10, and 5'7 for females.

Satoyama's constitution grants full religious freedom. 45.8% of the population believe in Kakaido, the remaining 30.8% subscribing to other religions such as Akarean Zodiac, Eostrism, and Muhagushin. The remaining 23.4% are either atheists or agnostic. Akarean Zodiac and Muhagushin were introduced to the nation through close proximity with Akarea and Hykko within the Orient, while Eostrism was introduced through the arrival of Candanadian missionaries in the 16th century. Though the majority of Satoyama's population are not Kakaidoists, many still visit the shrines to perform simple rituals such as washing their hands with holy water, writing their wishes on a wooden plaque and praying to a deity of their preference.

Satoyaman is the primary language spoken in the nation. Satoyaman writing includes fukuji (Akarean characters), two sets of kana (syllabaries based on the cursive script and radicals of fukuji), as well as Kaltach alphabets and numerals. Satoyaman sign language is the primary language used by and widely taught in hearing-impaired communities and is mutually intelligible with Akarean and Hykkoian sign language. Since 1985, middle and high school students are allowed to choose between learning Akarean Mandarin, Kanadiaans or Oseanian. In 1999, Hykkogwa, Swenyenish and Gaanglangataaran became additional choices. 95% of the Satoyaman population are fluent in Akarean mandarin, effectively making it a bilingual nation. In addition, 78% of the population speak Kanadiaans, Oseanian or both fluently.

Since the implementation of the 1972 education law, compulsory education in Satoyama consists of primary and middle school, which together last for 9 years. Almost all children continue their education in high school, which lasts for 3 years. As of the 1991 revision of the law, the country's education system uses an unconventional system in which grades consist of students of a wider age range (for example, 9-12 or 15-18 year-old classrooms), and every child's progress is individually paced according to the child's own needs. The need for students to wear a uniform on regular school days was removed, with the full sailor uniform only being worn on the last day of school. This new system was initially implemented in elementary levels, eventually being rolled out over higher school levels. The final stages of the rollout were completed by 2000. The high school system consists of students choosing four optional subjects in any area (scinces, humanities, languages, business, politics and arts), one sport/subject in the Physical Education category and an optional project, which can take the form of an essay, a physical product or even a small-scale business. Satoyama is home to five of the top universities in the world, open to both local and international students. Of the "big five", University of Satoyama teaches its courses in Oseanian, while Kobayashi University teaches in Akarean mandarin. The remaining three, Satoyama University of Science and Technology, Suzuki Arts School and Hoshino Research Institute teach in Satoyaman. Non-Satoyaman-speaking applicants are required to pass the Satoyaman-Language Proficiency Test (SLPT) in order to be considered for admission in most universities and local schools in Satoyama.

Healthcare is provided by the national government. Payment for personal medical services is offered through a universal health insurance system that provides relative equality of access, payment amounts set by a government committee. Those without insurance through employment can participate in a national health insurance program administered by the government. Since 1985, all elderly people have been covered by government-sponsored insurance. With the exception of rapid-response emergency services, Satoyama's healthcare system is notoriously inefficient and overworked.

From 1955 to 1997, Satoyama had one of the highest suicide and depression rates worldwide. 60% of suicides consisted of stressed office workers, which was directly caused by multinational companies setting much higher standards due to the absence of labor protection. The remaining 40% of suicides consisted mainly of middle and high school students. However, since the early 2000s, Satoyama has in turn become one of the happiest nations in the world, mainly due to the 1993-1998 education reform and the 1994 Labor Protection Law, as well as general shifts in social beliefs.

The right to bear arms was fully legalized in 1980, allowing all citizens to freely purchase weapons, so long as they were over the age of 18 and were verified to be able to use guns in a responsible manner. When one has completed a full kenjutsu training program, they are provided with a certificate that allows them to use blades as a self-defense weapon. Arms are described by the constitution to be the guarantor of personal freedom and safety. 92% of Satoyaman households own at least one weapon, and 74% own three or more. Collection of weaponry is a popular hobby in Satoyama. The country hosts the annual SWF Gun & Blade Exhibition.

The average life expectancy at birth in Satoyama is 85 years.

Government and Politics

Satoyama is a unitary democratic constitutional republic. Executive power is wielded by the president and his cabinet, whose sovereignty is vested in the Satoyaman populace. The president, who is the head of government, has the power to appoint and dismiss Ministers of State, and is elected into position by popular vote. There is universal suffrage for adults aged 18 years and over.

With major elements taken from Akarean law, the Satoyaman legal system was developed during the imperial period through use of various texts. Satoyama established a constitution based on ones used by various Kaltach nations, remaining unamended since its completion in 1972. Satoyama's court system is divided into four levels - the Supreme Court and three lower levels of courts.

Most politicians in Satoyama reside in the Obama governmental district in the city center of Nagahama.

Parliament

Satoyama's legislature is the House of Councillors, the members of which are popularly elected through mixed-member proportional representation, serving for 4-year terms. Due to none of the parties commanding a majority of the House, Satoyama makes use of a coalition government, consisted of the combined efforts of the Constitutional Party (暁山憲法党), The People’s Democratic Party (人民民主党) and the Innovation Alliance (革新連盟). All other major parties occupy the left opposition bench, and minor parties occupy the crossbench. Satoyama's parliament has been sometimes criticized for their excessive use of political representation, stemming from their inclusion of a cults and extremist groups as part of their crossbench parties.

Political Parties

[image] A diagram of Satoyama's political parties and their positions within the House of Councillors. The grey dot to the left is the speaker seat.

Current Satoyaman Political Parties

Party name	Color	Seats	Position	Ideology
Constitutional Party of Satoyama (暁山憲法党)	Sky blue	25/110 (in government coalition)	center-right	constitutionalism, economic libertarianism, progressive conservatism, pro-KU
The People’s Party (人民党)	Deep turquoise	23/110 (in government coalition)	center	liberalism, progressivism, populism
Innovation Alliance (革新連盟)	Lime green	10/110 (in government coalition)	center-right	economic liberalism; catch-all party for business interests
Social Democratic Party (社会民主党)	Purple	18/110	center-left	social democracy, pro-welfare state, KU-ambiguous
United Orient (南東団結)	Dark blue	11/110	center-left	regionalism, pro-KU, big tent party
League of Labourers (労働者の連合会)	Red	10/110	far-left	anarcho-syndicalism, left-wing populism, anti-KU
Return To Monarchy (君主制)	Gold	1/110	far-right	absolute monarchism, revanchism, conservatism to fascism
Happiness Manifestation Party (幸福実現党)	Orange	1/110	far-right	theocracy
The Party to Protect the People from Old Political Parties (古い政党から国民を守る党)	Turquoise	1/110	ambiguous	third-position, pacifist, isolationist, populist
Progressive Party (積極党)	Yellow	4/110	far-left	intersectionality, pacifism, socialism
N.W.O. (暁山新体制)	Black	2/110	far-left	socialism, populism
Green Satoyama (暁山緑党)	Green	2/110	far-left	green politics
STOP THE MACHINE!!! (麣齉・騱・虋讟！！！; ストップ・ザ・マシン！！！)	Pink	1/110	far-left	anarcho-communism
Party of True Neutrality (中立党)	Gray	1/110	center	social hedonism

Military

Satoyama's military, named the Self-Defense Force (自衛隊; "Jieitai"), consists of the army, navy, air and special forces. It is seen as the guarantor of Satoyaman independence and the guardian of the Satoyaman people. Satoyama has conscription for all able-bodied people at age 18, except those with a criminal record or who can prove that their loss would bring hardship to their families. Conscription lasts for a minimum of 2 years for all citizens. The SDF offer numerous options for non-combat roles in mandatory conscription.

Satoyama deploys highly-trained special forces for overseas missions, meaning that conscripts are rarely used for them. Following the end of communist rule in Welka in 1991, Satoyaman special forces were tasked with peacekeeping in the newly-formed Republic, making it the only action that Satoyama's armed forces have seen to this day. It is likely that Satoyama will follow other KU nations if action is taken against Meltor.

Satoyama's most famous special forces branch are the Warrior Corps (武士隊; "bushi-tai"). The unit was created for infiltration and assassination missions. It is rumored that all members of the unit, the identities of whom are unknown to the public, had detailed, rigorous 10-year training programs before being able to serve. The Warrior Corps fight by the motto of "hikyō yori shi" (卑怯より死; lit. "death before cowardice"). Every member is rewarded a handcrafted short sword known as the Wakizashi upon completion of their training, keeping in line with warrior traditions established during ancient times. While a combat blade in concept, it can also be used as a utility blade and a ceremonial item.

Satoyama has a national air display team, Silver Wave, whose 11 members make use of customized jet trainers.

Crime

Crime has always been an ongoing concern for authorities in Satoyama. Gang activity was at its peak during the 1960s but was reduced somewhat in the early 1970s by the police. The Candanadian Ministry of Foreign Affairs warns its citizens to exercise increased caution when traveling in Satoyama, issuing travel advisories on its website.

Drugs such as methamphetamines, cocaine, xanax, LSD, ketamine, codeine and heroin are distributed in Satoyama by black market drug dealers. Cannabis is also imported into the country, but is relatively uncommon. In the 1980s, it was estimated that 31% of the population had used a controlled substance at least once in their lives, and 12% were addicts. In 1991, the Satoyaman government launched a crackdown on drug cartels. Arresting the leaders and members of major cartels, drug distribution and use decreased significantly. Nevertheless, smaller-scale dealers continue to exist. As of today, 18% of the Satoyaman population have admitted to using controlled substances at least once in their lives, and 8% are believed to be addicts. About 40 people die from drug overdoses every year in Satoyama.

Street racing is a major problem in Satoyama, and has been since the late 1970s. The country is known to have a bustling, diverse car scene. Most street racers are part of clubs and teams, though they are not known to commit any other crimes like gangs did. Many racers also choose to race alone. It is common practice for street racers to make comprehensive performance upgrades to their vehicles and customize them. Between 11PM and 3AM, the streets of Satoyama become highly active racing areas, especially highways, mountain roads and city streets. Several vehicles have been recorded to travel at upwards of 350 km/h on the bayshore route. At its peak during 1998-2006, at least 70 people would die each year from street racing accidents. The Satoyaman government has made attempts to counter street racing by providing police pursuit units with better vehicles and equipment, while also providing increased subsidization to race tracks and organizations to bring down entry prices. Thanks to these practices, annual deaths have been on a steady decline since then. If caught, a street racer's vehicle is impounded by the police and auctioned to the public several weeks later.

Economy

Satoyama has a free market capitalist economy with little to no government intervention. In ancient times, fruits, spices, meats and silk were Satoyama's primary exports, but since its industrialization in the 19th century, its range of exports have grown in variety and significance. Like Akarea and Hykko, Satoyama's currency, the yen (円) is a non-decimalized currency with no sub-units.

Agriculture and farming

Satoyama's agriculture sector accounts for a very small part of the state's economy. Only around 15% of Satoyama's land is suitable for cultivation. Due to this lack of land, a system of terraces has been used to counter this since ancient times. As a result, Satoyaman farms are able to produce extremely high crop yields. Satoyama is a major exporter of rice, tea, soybeans, coffee, wheat, spices, fruits and vegetables. Moreover, farms breed cows, chickens, sheep, pigs and fish for their products.

Satoyama maintains one of the world's largest fishing fleets due to its high consumption of seafood. As a result it ranks highly among other nations for total tonnages of caught fish, leading to critiques that Satoyama's fishing is leading to depletion in endangered species populations such as the bluefin tuna. Satoyaman fishing fleets are very common in Great Kaltachian and Oriental waters due to the abundance of large, edible fish there. Satoyama was once known for whaling, but has stopped the practice following protests in 1974. S.FISH, a Satoyaman government-owned premium seafood company, is one of the largest exporters of seafood worldwide.

Manufacturing

Despite Satoyama's small size in relation to other Oriental nations, it has a relatively high manufacturing capacity. Industry in Satoyama primarily consists of light manufacturing, including consumer electronics, musical instruments, semiconductors and motorcycles.

Motorcycle production is one of the most successful industries in Satoyama. Haneda, Kawasumi, Suzuka and Yamato are global motorcycle manufacturers. Satoyama's motorcycles are generally known for their quality, durability, fuel efficiency and high performance. Some of these companies cross over to different sectors. Yamato in particular is also known for producing musical instruments such as synthesizers and electric guitars.

Satoyama's musical instrument brands, though operating on a smaller scale, are globally known and used by musicians around the world. DSP and Martinez are famous Satoyaman guitar and bass manufacturers. Farland produces electronic musical instruments and software, including keyboard synthesizers, samplers and turntables.

Many famous consumer electronics manufacturers are based in Satoyama, including Sonus, Kompak and Jujitsu, producing products such as computers, smartphones, gaming consoles and audio equipment, as well as other forms of consumer electronics. Satoyama is home to one of the world's fastest supercomputers, the Raijin. NSMC, a public-private partnership enterprise, is one of the largest semiconductor manufacturers in the world.

Services and Tourism

The service sector has accounted for more than 60% of Satoyama's economy since recent years. Banking, retail, transportation, telecommunications are all major industries, not to mention several other sectors that account for the Service industry.

Satoyama is one of the most visited countries by tourists, attracting millions of arrivals annually. The total contribution of travel and tourism has led to the generation of over 1 million jobs in 2015. Satoyama is visited mainly for its rich history, culture, fashion, and art. Companies such as STT, AIONIOS, Hardbank and Yuyake are listed as some of the largest in the world.

Science and Technology

Satoyama is a leading nation in scientific research, particularly in engineering and natural sciences. The nation ranks as one of the most innovative countries in the world. Relative to GDP, Satoyama's relative research and development budget is the highest in the world. 280,020 researchers share a total budget of 15 trillion yen. Furthermore, the nation leads the world in the production and use of robotics.

The nation has produced 24 Cueva laureates in Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Medicine and Mathematics.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Satoyama has a highly developed, sophisticated transport network. The Skyline card, a contactless smart payment card, is accepted on all railway systems, buses and ferries, and can be used in most retail stores, among several other purposes.

[image] An SR Y2K-series Millennium Line train travelling through the Kuromaki industrial district in 2006. The Nagahama Subway is the country's first public transport system, providing transport all across the city. The Satoyaman Railway Company is an extensive passenger rail network, boasting a total of 420 stations and 25 lines. It touts an on-time rate of 99.999% and serves all public transit passengers in the city. Opened in the year 2000, the Millennium Line provides high-speed transport throughout the nation and around the island, making use of maglev trains that can travel up to 550 km/h. The trains complete the entire 135-kilometer journey from the foot of Mount Sato to Nagahama beach in just 15 minutes. The metropolitan area features an extensive system of esclators and moving pavements including the Orochi Escalator, the world's longest escalator system as well as the only one to feature multi-track switching. There is also an extensive cable car system used travel up and down the country's mountainous areas over the rainforests, both for scenic and practical purposes.

There are around 820,000 private vehicles registered in Satoyama. Automobiles drive on the left, due to the historical influence of the Akarean Empire. Around 30,000 taxis, identifiable by their bright colors and use of the same car model, run by 18 different private companies, are licensed to carry riders in the city. Bus services operate 850 different routes in the city, making use of larger double-decker buses in frequently travelled routes, and low-floor minibuses in those that are less travelled, as well as in mountainous areas and the Prince Holiday Resort, the largest hotel resort in Satoyama. Highway routes connect all the major districts of the city. The Bayshore Route (湾岸線; "Wangan-sen:), which stretches across the coast, is widely known for having no nationally mandated speed limit for some classes of vehicles.

Ishida International Airport (石田空港) is the city's primary airport. Over 100 airlines operate flights to and from the airport, including Satoyama's only airline, ASS (Aviation Service of Satoyama). Private or recreational airplanes use the Yamada Airfield (山田空港) under the supervision of the Satoyama Aviation Club.

Energy

As of 2017, 66% of energy in Satoyama is produced from geothermal, 18% from solar, 10% from wind, and 4% from petroleum, among other sources.

Culture

Art and Architecture

Satoyaman art has historically consisted of wildlife and natural scenery. In tribal times, cave walls were covered in paintings of deities and animals. Akarean art made a major impact on Satoyaman art, shifting its direction entirely, using more monotonous colors and realistic art styles. Calligraphy also became more widely done and appreciated. The direction of Satoyaman artwork shifted once again beginning in the 1970s, using a much more colorful, surreal approach, following the modern art movement. In the 1990s, Satoyama pioneered the Y2K art movement which makes heavy use of futuristic themes and styles, particularly with shiny, chrome surfaces with angular text. This aesthetic spread to the electronics produced at the time, with several Oriental brands equipping products such as game consoles, personal computers, beepers, music players and even calculators with colorful translucent plastic shelling. It is also seen in fashion, in the form of clear bags, shoes and jewelry. Science fiction themes continue to grow and evolve in Satoyaman art and fashion.

Satoyaman architecture is a fusion of local and other influences. Ancient architecture is largely derived from Akarean styles, and has been typically built from wooden or mud plastered structures. Traditional housing makes wide use of tatami mats and sliding doors. Since the 19th century, Kaltachian influences have been brought upon architecture in the nation. Following the fall of the imperial court, the country's architects turned to a much more contemporary, Kaltach-inspired Bauhaus style. Architecture took on a curved style in the 70s and 80s, switching to much heavier usage of glass over concrete. In the 1990s and 2000s, a curvier style emerged, making slightly more usage of steel. In recent years, the tribal style has made a return, with many modern buildings using brightly-colored patterns as they appeared on structures in prehistoric times.

Religion

Satoyama's official religion is Kakaido. It was officially formed as a multi-deity religion in the early 10th century, but its roots trace back to the first signs of human colonization on the peninsula.

Kakaido has a very wide variety of major and minor deities that are all worshipped, but all are led by the four elemental titans - Yōchi, the earth titan; Tafuna, the magma titan; Unabara, the sea titan; and Hayate, the wind titan. In kakaido scripture, the earth began as an inhospital, chaotic landscape filled with dangerous animals. The planet created the four titans to guide the earth onto a path towards balance and harmony. Over the years, the titans helped shape the landscape as the planet created smaller deities to assist them. A pair of Life Guardians were created and tasked with guiding the ways in which forms of life should change, in order to suit the changes the Titans made to the land and the sea. Forms of life that were deemed unfit were discarded and sent to extinction. Makiei, who takes the form of a manta ray, is responsible for aquatic life. Otora, who takes the form of a panther, is responsible for life on land. Manta rays and panthers are regarded by believers to be holy animals.

The theory of afterlife in Kakaido is described by the existence of two "planes". The upper plane is the plane in which mortal beings reside. Once they pass, they are buried in the ground, allowing them to enter the lower plane, which is where spirits and deities reside. If a spirit is deemed to be pure and of good intentions, they are transported back into the upper plane to be reincarnated, sometimes as a different form of life. However, if a spirit is deemed to be sinful, they are confined to the shackles of Ochinchin, the blind Dark Lord of the lower plane.

There are many Kakaido temples in Satoyama, usually situated near bodies of water, on the peaks of mountains, or near the rainforests, where both believers and non-believers are permitted to cleanse themselves with holy water and make prayers to the titans and the guardians. Believers may also pray away from the temples, so long as they are wearing jewelry bearing Kakaidoist symbols.

Music

Since prehistoric times, music has always been a major part of Satoyama's culture. In the nomadic era, tribal music was common, being performed by small groups of people with drums, flutes and lyres made out of wood and animal skin. Before a battle, it is traditional practice to perform the Senoto (戦踊; lit. "war dance"). The practice consists of a group of people standing in organized rows, employing vigorous movements such as facial contortions (widening and crossing one's eyes and sticking one's tongue out), the slapping of one's hands against their own bodies, the shaking of palms and fists, the fingers and the head, and the stomping of one's feet, complete with chanting, roaring, sceaming and hissing. It was traditionally used by male warriors to intimidate an opposing force, but since then it was also performed by women, growing to have a more ceremonial use, performed at weddings, the welcoming of distinguished guests, funerals, sports events and other special occasions. It is seen as a celebration of unity as well as a prayer of sorts, summoning the powers of the titans.

Folk music began to appear during the 9th century and became very popular all across the country, even spreading to other parts of The Orient. It is usually performed by bands of 4 or 5 people, and is characterized by attention-grabbing clothing, fast and aggressive tempos and energetic performances. Some bands were known to have used kabuki-inspired makeup. Many consider Satoyaman folk music to be the precursor to modern rock.

Satoyaman music did not see any major changes until the 18th century, when Kaltachian styles of music began to emerge in the peninsula, among other Western influences. Wealthy bureaucrats and lords travelled to the north and brought musicians and instruments back home with them. Orchestral music, jazz and blues exploded in popularity all over the country. Fascinated by foreign music, the Emperor commissioned the creation of the Satoyaman Conservatory for Music (暁山音楽院; Satōyama Ōngakuin).

The abolishment of the imperial court in 1960 once again brought a major change to Satoyaman music. The country further opened itself to musicians around the world, who arrived in the peninsula to perform in concerts. Heavily inspired by Great Kaltachian music in particular, rock bands began to form and quickly gained traction and popularity worldwide, blending Western styles together with elements from traditional folk music. Rock continued to grow in popularity during the 1970s, during which bands began to add electronic elements into their sound following the introduction of synthesizers to the country. During this decade, shortly after the Decade of Bloodshed, many teenagers and university students experimented with heavy metal, beginning the movement in the country.

During the 1980s, a lighter form of music emerged, doing away with electric guitars, while making more use of electronic instruments such as drum machines as well as gentler forms of vocal delivery. This form of music became known to the world as "S-pop" and was the first genre of music from Satoyama to be internationally recognized and successful. Kabuki-inspired makeup returned with glam metal, which was another burgeoning subgenre of music. Visual kei, a musical movement that involved elaborate costumes, hairstyles and makeup was pioneered by several bands during the mid-80s. Idol groups, formed from large groups of middle-to-high-school-aged girls, came to global attention in the 1990s, putting out simple pop songs.

Satoyaman heavy metal came to global attention during 1994 thanks to a newly-formed band known as KaЯRot, who were credited with completely turning the genre on its head. KaЯRot were known for their unconventional use of instruments, their heavy style of music and dark lyrical themes linked with depression, bullying and drugs. Other bands continued to emerge through the rest of the 1990s, blending various different genres of music into their sound, notably hip-hop, industrial, hard rock, funk, jazz, traditional Satoyaman folk music or even tribal music, as well as several other subgenres of metal such as heavy, thrash, death, progressive, alternative and groove. They were also known to have particularly chaotic live shows, leading to violent moshpits and fights. This effectively kickstarted what was known as the nu-metal (ニョ・メタル) movement worldwide, which hit its stride during the late 90s and early 2000s. Many believe the nu-metal movement was responsible for killing off the grunge and idol genres. Bands such as Fusion Thesis, MFKR and Kancho produced several platinum and diamond albums in their prime. This marked the second time a Satoyaman genre of music became highly successful worldwide. Though the subgenre suffered from a decline later on, it is currently undergoing a resurgence with several bands returning to their sonic roots.

A wave of futurism emerged in Satoyama during the late 90s, inspired by the impending arrival of the new millennium. Influenced by this movement, Electronic music gained huge popularity across the nation, gaining major airplay across the peninsula. Satoyaman electronic artists specialized in subgenres such as breakbeat and techno-trance, making a major global impact on electronic music for years to come. Raves and concerts were performed almost every night in the red-light districts of the city. Many Satoyaman electronic music artists became film score composers early on in their career, their music featuring in both locally-produced and international films, as well as video game scores in the early 2000s. Both nu-metal and electronic music were, and still are, heavily used in anime, albeit to a lesser degree than before.

As nu-metal declined in the late 2000s, most bands began to switch to a lighter, more radio-friendly sound, beginning the S-rock movement, while other bands joined in during the late 2000s and early 2010s. The styles of bands vary, but they are mainly characterised by their use of punk-rock attitudes, upbeat sounds and lyrics based on themes of love and rebelliousness. S-pop underwent a resurgence in the same timeframe, using elements of various electronic genres such as house and future bass. Both of these genres remain internationally popular, but gain most of their success from the Orient.

Media and Theatre

[image: YOOOOOOOOOOO] 18th-century artwork of a kabuki character. According to a 2015 survey, 98% of the Satoyaman population watch television daily. Satoyaman television dramas and anime series are widely viewed both locally and internationally. Other popular genres include "Variety Shows", comedy and news programs. Satoyaman newspapers are also widely circulated internationally.

Satoyaman theatre emerged in the 15th century in the form of Noh theatre, which makes heavy use of supernatural and surreal themes, elaborate use of instruments and costumes. All actors make use of masks, using slow, precise physical movements to convey emotions instead. Emphasizing tradition instead of innovation, the style of Noh is kept strictly codified and regulated by the grandmaster system. Two more popular forms of Satoyaman theatre, kabuki (歌舞伎; lit. "song, dance and skill") and kigekidō (喜劇道; lit. "art of comedy"), appeared in the 17th century. It had a worldwide impact, famed for its exaggerated movements, incredibly complicated fight sequences and loud vocal delivery. "YOOOOOO" (よおおおお〜) is an iconic phrase that is used in both disciplines as a common exclamation used by characters. Kabuki focuses more towards the supernatural, using gods, monsters and demons as recurring characters, while kigekido focuses more on casual human interactions. Kigekido characters are widely believed to be the precursors to the modern clown.

Comic books from Alpenraum and Candanadium were circulated in Satoyama in the early 20th century, inspiring the creation of Satoyama's own style of comic books, known as "manga". The same could be said for animation films, inspiring the creation of anime, which has since become incredibly popular worldwide. Manga and anime, both widely-consumed forms of Satoyaman entertainment, differ from their more stylized Western counterparts by either using a much higher degree of realism, or extreme uses of surrealism.

Satoyama's film industry emerged onto the global scene in the early 1980s following the release of "Dragon", a martial arts starring Ryu Shinban as a disgruntled sushi chef fending gangsters away from his humble restaurant in the Iwabuchi red-light district. Since then, a variety of Satoyaman films were globally known, mostly following the themes of science fiction and action. Nishiho is one of the largest theatre companies in the world, with several critically-acclaimed anime and film titles being released under them. They are also well-known for their reboot of the Akarean Daishou monster movie series during the 2000s.

Cuisine

[image: mmmmmm,,m,.m.,,m tasty] Madon, a Satoyaman rice-based dish that makes use of raw fish and tropical fruits. Traditionally, Satoyaman cuisine is based around five taste "elements" - spicy (fire), sour (metal), bitter (wood), salty (water) and sweet (earth). The traditional cuisine of Satoyama primarily consists of rice, flatbread and kami (加味; lit. "add flavor"), a spicy, savory sauce. Seafood is a common side dish. It is often grilled or seared, but it can also be served raw in the form of sushi, sashimi or chirashizushi, or deep-fried in a batter in the form of tempura. Another major staple is noodles, taking the form of soba, udon or ramen. Chicken is also a highly popular ingredient, being used in a wide variety of dishes such as yakitori, sumitori or katsu. Spices feature heavily in Satoyaman cuisine, especially being used in kami, of which there are 12 distinct types, as well as wasabi. From the 1960s, Satoyaman cuisine took influences from western nations, leading to a very wide use of steaks, as well as the creation of omurice.

The traditional way of eating in Satoyama involves being sat on the floor in front of a small, short table. The food is served on a wooden tray. The left hand is used for holding a spoon, while the right is used for holding chopsticks.

Traditional Satoyaman sweets are called Satogashi, and usually make use of ingredients such as red bean paste and mochi. Amahari jelly (甘玻璃, lit. "sweet glass") is also a form of traditional dessert. As a tropical nation, tropical fruits such as avocado, dragonfruit, mango, coconut, pineapple, blue banana and yuzu are used as ingredients in desserts, or simply eaten raw due to their sweet taste. Since post-imperial times, ice cream has become an incredibly popular snack due to the hot weather of the nation.

Popular Satoyaman beverages include Sake, which is made by fermentation of rice, and typically carries a sweet taste, as well as a burning sensation when swallowed. Beer, traditionally a Candanadian beverage, has been brewed in Satoyama since the 18th century. Ihasa is one of the world's leading alcohol brands. Green tea and Satoyaman Citrus are produced in Satoyama and are served as matcha and yuzu tea, respectively.

Fashion

In prehistoric times, typical Satoyaman attire consisted of skirts made of wooden beads, sandals and a fabric scarf that is worn on the upper body. Tattoos were, and still are commonplace, used anywhere on the upper body. Different tribes made use of different geometric designs and colors. Tribal jewelry, typically made out of abalone shells, was very common.

Since Akarea colonized the country, Akarean clothing was introduced to Satoyama, creating the iconic use of Kimono (着物; lit. "thing to wear") robes. They made use of elaborate, colorful designs and very long sleeves and tails. The use of hoods was also very common, seen as a way to shield one's head from the sun. Over the years, Satoyaman clothing and fashion underwent many changes, both big and small. For example, the lengths of sleeves gradually decreased over the changing of imperial dynasties. Men's hairstyles stayed largely the same as they were in tribal times, being worn in looped buns. Womens' hairstyles changed frequently, ranging from elaborate buns to simply being worn down. Facial makeup was used by both men and women. Influenced by Akarean artwork, tattoo designs shifted to a much more complex, rounded style, using artwork of natural elements and animals.

Kaltachian-style three-piece suits began to appear in Satoyama in the 19th century, when Candanadian tailors arrived in the peninsula to do business with the imperial family. Following the imperial family, high-ranking military officers and aristocrats were next to catch onto the new form of clothing. Until the end of the imperial dynasty, three-piece suits and other western styles of formal clothing were exclusive to the upper class. More subtle, casual forms of western clothing such as top hats and skirts appeared in the middle classes in the 1930s, and by the 1950s, kimono-style clothing had almost completely disappeared off the face of Satoyaman fashion, with the exception of kabuki performances.

Gangster fashion, though controversial during its prime in the 1960s, had a major impact on the Satoyaman fashion scene for years to come, such as the use of shiny shoes and elaborate designs on the backs of shirts and jackets. MFKR, a famous nu-metal band, wears gangster clothing as a controversial artistic statement. Fashion quickly modernized during the following decades, as brands began to pop up in Satoyama with the aim of competing with larger brands from Alpenraum and Luxlein. Satoyaman street fashion hit its stride during the 90s and 2000s, known for its avant-garde, experimental style, taking influences from Western movements such as grunge, goth and Y2K. Notable aspects of early Satoyaman street fashion include oversized jeans, usage of chains and futuristic sunglasses. In recent years, Satoyaman fashion designers pioneered the techwear movement, which is making a major impact on the global fashion industry. Characteristics of techwear include monotonous colors, face masks, excessive usage of straps and zippers, and hoods. Kinza is a known luxury district, home to more than 150 different brands including HyperWet, Trikk, FUGU, Okuyama, RGL, LEVIT_8, Busujima and Zen2.

Sports

Martial arts have long been considered as Satoyama's national sport with roots tracing back to tribal times. Disciplines such as karate, kenjutsu and judo are taught as part of the compulsory junior high school curriculum. Sumo wrestling is also a very popular sport, involving two wrestlers of immense body mass attempting to push each other out of the ring. Karate and judo are hand-to-hand combat disciplines that are widely used and encouraged as a self-defense practice, and both consist of a belt ranking system, with the highest ranking being the black belt. It is characterized by its rapid movements, punches and kicks. Those that wear black belts are considered to be masters of their respective discipline. Kenjutsu is a swordfighting discipline that was present in Satoyama since the 10th century, being used by samurai warriors to fight one another. Practicioners may use one or two swords.

Badminton is the most popular spectator sport in the nation. Satoyama's top professional league, Satoyama Professional Badminton, was established in 1971. Being a coastal nation, the usage of boats has been a big part of Satoyaman culture, naturally leading to boat racing being one of Satoyama's strongest and most popular sports. Cycling and skateboarding have also been incredibly popular since the 1990s. There are several skate parks and BMX parks all across the city, where people of all ages and skill levels can practice and perform stunts.

Motorsports are extremely popular in Satoyama. In motorsport, Satoyaman manufacturers and drivers have been successful in multiple different categories, with titles and victories being won in categories such as Formula 1, FischerCar, MotoGP, World GT Championship, World Sportscar Championship and NASCAR. Matsukawa, Watanabe and Zakura, all Satoyama-based teams, are some of the most successful Formula 1 teams of all time. Sato International Circuit, based at the foot of Mount Sato, was Satoyama's first IAB Grade-A motorsports circuit upon its opening in 1963. Kunimitsu Twin Ring, skirting the harbour of the city, became Satoyama's second full-sized race circuit upon its opening in 1999. Both host major international series races such as Formula 1, MotoGP, WGTC and WSC as well as Orient-based series like Hyper GT, Oriental Supertouring Championship and Super Motor Series.

Satoyama is home to several major sporting venues. Perhaps the most iconic is the Underground Arena, a circular stadium constructed in 1971 with a sand-covered floor in the middle, primarily used for competitive martial arts competitions. The Yatori Aquatic Sports Center, constructed in 1994, uses an unconventional dome design which houses two World Games-size pools, a water polo pool and several small wave pools. Situated next to a large, man-made lake, it hosts windsurfing, kayaking, canoeing and wakesurfing courses and competitions.

In all major sports events, it is a ceremonial tradition for Satoyaman teams to perform the Senoto before matches. In the case of a championship win, a world cup win or any other major achievement, it is also performed. In Formula 1 races held in Satoyama, Satoyaman teams and drivers perform the dance before the race.