Japan is a major world power, having gained equal footing with the descendant countries of the former United States. This status is very much the result of its scientific and technological prowess; in particular, it is currently the only country with access to "radiation scrubber" technology. Also known as the "Japanese Miracle", these nanomachines can eliminate nuclear fallout, although they must be distributed before a blast occurs to work effectively.
The Japanese economy is one of the world's strongest, and the Japanese as a whole enjoy a high standard of living. However, it is not without problems.
Its original capital city, Tokyo, was destroyed by a nuclear bomb during World War III, resulting in the seat of government being moved to the city of Fukuoka. While it is a parliamentary democracy, political corruption is an issue, often driven by the competition of corporate, military and bureaucratic interests. These groups make use of considerable and indiscriminate surveillance and espionage.
The Self-Defence Forces continue to be legally bound by Article 9 of the Constitution of Japan. They, along with a variety of police organizations, help to maintain order, often via methods that greatly compromise individual and press freedoms.
The demographics of Japan have been shaken by the post-war influx of Asian refugees; their illegality confines them to ghettoes, leaves them vulnerable to exploitation, encourages identity fraud and other crime, and leads to ethnic tensions. Their presence and status constitute a major national political issue.
The trade and abuse of illegal drugs, including "cyber-drugs", human trafficking, and other activities of Japanese Yakuza and Chinese organized crime syndicates also pose a threat to internal security.