Political status of Chishima

  Territory controlled by the Democratic Republic of Nanto

  Claimed by Nanto but controlled by Ashihara

  Claimed by Nanto but controlled by Newrey

  Claimed by Nanto but controlled by Midrasia

  Claimed by Ashihara but controlled by Newrey, Nanto and Midrasia

The controversy regarding the political status of the Chishima region, sometimes referred to as the Chishima Issue or Jade Ocean Issue, or from a Nantoan perspective as the Great Issue, is a result of Asuran colonialism in Catai and Savai and the First and Second wars between Ashihara and Chishima and the subsequent dissolution of the Republic of Chishima into the Democratic Republic of Nanto and Autonomous State of Iwashima

The issue hinges on whether Peito-Kitajima and Toiyama, 'North' Burmondsy and Saint-Louis should continue to remain effectively the territories of Ashihara, Newrey and Midrasia respectively, and maintain the "status quo" established after 2002; or become unified with the Ashihara under the existing Kaneshiro dictatorship; or become unified with Nanto and Iwashima under a re-established Republic of Chishima.

This controversy also concerns whether the existence and legal status as a nation-state (country) of Nanto is legitimate as a matter of international law, due to Ashiharan claims of sovereignty over the entire Chishima region. As of 2018 the majority of the international community recognise Nanto as a sovereign and independent nation, though deliberately avoid stating clearly what territories they believe Nanto includes and maintain strategic ambiguity in order to avoid harming relations with the countries involved in the issue.

Historical overview

1731-19?? – Asuran imperialism

Agreement of Lission

In 1734, the Midrasian government, seeking to expand its trading influence within the Chishima region. Though the Midrasian government was able to gain trade access within the Chishima court, there was a growing desire among Midrasian merchants to set up a trading colony as had been standard practice in Midrasian Majula. As a result, by manipulating the divisions between the King and Daimyo of Ōshima, the Midrasian Oriental Company was able to sign the Agreement of Lission which allowed for the establishment of a trading port under Midrasian authority, provided a percentage of all taxation was given to the Daimyo. The Southern Court of the Kingdom of Chishima denied the legitimacy of the agreement but made few diplomatic or military effort to remove Midrasia from the island, owing to the growing Midrasian naval presence within the region.

Though the new port of Lission set up by the Midrasians was relatively small for much of the Eighteenth Century, as Midrasian colonialism in Savai grew, so to did the settlement. In 1804, the Southern Court of Chishima sent a petition to the Midrasian authorities calling for them to hand the settlement over to their control. Ultimately, the Midrasian authorities refused, leading to an official boycott of Midrasian goods by the Chishiman court. However, this proved unpopular with much of the mercantile class within Chishima. Additionally, the arrival of Midrasian gunboats within the region saw the court retract its official boycott, though it did not end its diplomatic efforts to regain the port.

Treaty of Kyūkyō

1751: After a brief war Newrey establishes control over the Southern Court as its protectorate.

Black Banner Rebellion

178/9??: The Southern Court rebels against Newrey, the King is killed and the court flees to the north. The Northern Court joins the rebellion and after a protracted war is able to gain the southern half of the island but becomes an 'allied state' of Newrey

Ōshima Incident

In 1824, a widespread rebellion of rōnin occurred on the island of Ōshima, threatening the position of the Daimyo. Rather than submit to the authority of the Southern Court, the Daimyo chose to ask Midrasian authorities for aid in putting down the rebellion. Though the rōnin were able to lay siege to the Daimyo's castle, the force was soon defeated by Midrasian colonial forces sent from Savai. As a result of the incident, Midrasian authorities signed a new treaty with the Daimyo, named the Second Agreement of Lission. The treaty placed the entire island of Ōshima under Midrasian protection and extended Midrasian judicial authority over all Midrasians on the island. Additionally, the agreement allowed for Midrasian colonial authorities to intervene in the local politics of the island "with the consent of its ruler". Though in reality, Midrasian authorities wielded a huge level of influence over the island without the consent of the sitting Daimyo.

In 1837, the Midrasian delegate to Ōshima was murdered by a group of drunk locals, leading colonial authorities to institute reprisals against the territory. The Daimyo of Ōshima was blamed for the incident, leading to his conviction on trumped up charges of conspiracy to commit murder. As a result, Midrasian authorities abolished the position of Daimyo, and appointing a colonial governor to the territory. Ōshima, now renamed to Saint-Louis officially became a colonial territory of Midrasia the following year.

Second Great War

19??: The Kingdom of Chishima attempts to regain the northern half of Burmondsy-Nanto from Newrey but is unable to. It does however achieve independence after the war.

19??–Today – Post Second Great War status

First Ashiharan-Chishiman War

1981: Ashihara invades Chishima and is able to successfully occupy Peito-Kitajima and Toiyama.

Second Ashiharan-Chishiman War

2002: Officers of the Asahi Society in Ashihara attempt to invade the islands of Iwashima, to enhance their own power and standing in the mainland, but are unsuccessful. The clique is quickly purged by the central government.

Positions and statements

Nanto

The Government of the Democratic Republic of Nanto, and its predecessor, have declared the 1983 7 Point Declaration for the Liberation of Chishima to be their final and non-negotiable position on the issue. In the points below, "Chishiman" is an ambiguous term and the Government of Nanto has not clarified its definition. Points marked with * were edited in 1992.

1. The Chishiman people shall unite and drive out imperialist aggressive forces from Chishima; the Chishiman people shall return to the family of the Motherland the Republic of Chishima.
2. The Governments of Nanto and Iwashima shall actively and unceasingly assist efforts to regain territories occupied by imperialist aggressive forces and maintain a strong national defence of the region upon liberation.
3. The Chishiman government will have the right to alter the existing political system in territories occupied by imperialist aggressive forces but with the responsibility of affirming the democratic and civil rights of peoples within said territories.
4. In so far as former pro-imperialists and pro-Kaneshiro officials resolutely sever relations with imperialism and Ashihara under Kaneshiro tyranny and do not engage in sabotage or resistance, they may continue to hold office irrespective of their past, determinant on the continued existence of office.
5. Chishiman officials and soldiers entering territories occupied by imperialist aggressive forces shall abide by all the above-mentioned policies and shall also be fair in all buying and selling and shall not arbitrarily take a needle or thread from the people.
6. The imperialist aggressive forces occupying Chishiman territories are to make arrangements for a peaceful transition of their unlawfully administered territories to Chishiman sovereignty, terms subject to bilateral negotiations with the Government of Chishima or its successor*, or are to expect imminent removal from these territories by military force.
7. This declaration shall come into force immediately and will be the singular, non-negotiable and binding position of the Government of the Republic of Chishima or its successor*

Ashihara

Ashihara's position originates from the 1971 Declaration on the Restoration and Renewal of Ashihara which states that 'the State of Ashihara claims all territory previously owned by Imperial Ashihara and Her Tributary States and Vassals prior to the Emperor's betrayal of our nation to the imperialists, capitalists and colonialists as its sovereign territory.'

Accordingly, Ashihara does not acknowledge the government of Nanto as a legitimate state, considering it a rebel group, and does not recognise the legitimacy of Newrey's control over North Nanto or Midrasia's control over Saint Louis. Under the 1981 Self-Strengthening Policy Ashihara refuses diplomatic relations with any nation or international institution which recognises the government of Nanto as an independent state.

The contents of the 1971 Declaration were used as justification in both the First| and Second for Ashihara's actions, although the second war, rather than a conscious decision of policymakers as with the first war is widely believed to have been an attempt by a faction within Ashihara to gain favour with Ashihara's leader, Kaneshiro Kenta.

Notes on terminology

Chishima vs. vs. Republic of Chishima vs. Lesser Savai Islands

The term Chishima (千島, lit 'Thousand Islands') is an Ashiharan term dating back to the 9th century with the first exploration of the region by Ashiharan merchants. It by definition includes the islands of Peito-Kitajima, Toiyama, Iwashima, Burmondsy-Nanto and Saint-Louis. It is differed from the Lesser Savai Islands which lack Peito-Kitajima and Toiyama and further includes Ghagnusutha, Mayawi, and several islands belonging to Songdang in its definition.

The region of Chishima should not be confused with the Republic of Chishima which was a sovereign state exercising control over Iwashima and the southern half of Burmondsy-Nanto, and before 1981 also tentatively controlled Toiyama and Peito-Kitajima, and before its dissolution in 1992 claimed all of Chishima, a claim upheld by its successor

Peito vs. Kitajima

The international nomenclature of the island that is known either as Kitajima or Peito (北島, 'North Island') depends upon recognition of ownership of the island by Ashihara or Nanto respectively. The Ashiharan name is based upon the Kun'yomi reading of the Unji characters, used in the mainland since the 16th century, while the Nantoan name is based upon the older On'yomi reading of the characters. It is common for countries not taking a stance on the issue to refer to the island as Peito-Kitajima or Kitajima-Peito.

Burmondsy vs. Nanto

The name Nanto (南島, 'South Island') is an Ashiharan term dating back to the 11th century with the settlement of the region by Ashiharan settlers. It by definition is the main island, but can also be used to refer to the nearby islands as well, as one unit. The name Burmondsy is the Newreyan translation of Bāmanjī (場万地, lit. Land of Ten Thousand Trees), which was the name for the island commonly used on the mainland before the 20th century. It is the position of the government of Nanto that Nanto is the correct name for the island, with Burmondsy referring only to the part administered by Newrey, while it is the position of the government of Newrey that x. The term Burmondsy, and its various translations, is the main form used by the international community, bar most nations in Yidao and Savai which use the term Nanto or its translations. Countries not wishing to take a stance often use the combined form Burmondsy-Nanto to refer to the island.