Japanese Government

Corruption and control in a city on the brink.

In the year 2019, Neo-Tokyo functions as a dystopian metropolis plagued by corruption, anti-government protests, terrorism, and gang violence following a world war triggered by Tokyo's sudden destruction on July 16, 1988. The Japanese Government operates within this fractured landscape, struggling to maintain order while facing internal threats from vigilante bōsōzoku gangs like the Capsules and the Clowns. Colonel Shikishima of the Japan Self-Defense Forces plays a pivotal role in recapturing escaped espers and managing the fallout of Tetsuo Shima's acquisition of telekinetic abilities. The government's authority is visibly challenged as military complexes face direct threats from individuals possessing powers that defy conventional understanding, forcing officials to consider extreme measures like killing Tetsuo to prevent another cataclysm.

Quick Facts

Location: Neo-Tokyo
Key representative: Colonel Shikishima
Scientific lead: Doctor Ōnishi
Primary objective: Contain Psychic Powers

Lore & Background

The administration of Neo-Tokyo is defined by its desperate attempts to manage supernatural threats after the 1988 destruction. At a secret government facility, Colonel Shikishima and his head of research, Doctor Ōnishi, discover that Tetsuo possesses psychic abilities similar to Akira, the esper responsible for the original destruction. Esper Kiyoko forewarns Shikishima of Neo-Tokyo's impending destruction, but the city's parliament dismisses these concerns.

This dismissal forces Shikishima to consider killing Tetsuo independently to prevent a second disaster. The government's control is further strained when Tetsuo escapes from the hospital, leading to a scenario where military forces are directed to destroy him at any cost. Eventually, Shikishima stages a coup d'état against Neo-Tokyo's parliament, seizing direct command of military forces to counter the rising threat, highlighting the collapse of civilian authority in favor of martial law.

Reader's Guide

For those analyzing the political landscape of Akira, note that the government is characterized by its dismissal of critical warnings from experts like Kiyoko. The parliament ignores Shikishima's concerns regarding Tetsuo, leading to a breakdown in chain of command and necessitating a military coup. Key figures include Colonel Shikishima, who leads the Japan Self-Defense Forces' efforts to contain psychic threats, and Doctor Ōnishi, who heads research at the secret facility.

The government's strategy shifts from containment to total elimination as Tetsuo's power grows, resulting in the deployment of orbital weapons against a single individual. Their operations are centered around securing the cryonic storage of Akira under the Olympic Stadium, a site that becomes the focal point of the final confrontation. Ultimately, the state fails to control the situation, with Shikishima and other survivors watching the singularity collapse into a flooded crater after Tetsuo transcends human existence.

Did You Know?

The government kept Akira's remains sealed in jars for scientific research beneath the Olympic Stadium's construction site.
Tetsuo was recaptured by Colonel Shikishima and Japan Self-Defense Forces after crashing into an escaped esper named Takashi.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does the Japanese Government's story arc conclude?

The government ultimately fails to prevent Neo-Tokyo from being destroyed by Tetsuo Shima's uncontrolled psychic explosion. Their efforts to contain the situation collapse as the city is consumed by a massive energy burst that erases the metropolis.

What historical events led to the government's current state?

Following the mysterious destruction of Tokyo on July 16, 1988, a global war erupted that left the nation in a state of decay and distrust. The rebuilt Neo-Tokyo remains under strict military control as the government fights to prevent another apocalyptic event.