Battle Royale: State of the World
The Program
The first Program was held in 1947 and was enacted by the 317th Great Dictator. The final survivor of each class (the winner) is provided with a lifetime pension and a card autographed by The Great Dictator.
The Program is not broadcast, but data from the game, such as causes of death, is released to the public following the conclusion. As soon as you are abducted, parents or guardians will be notified that you have been conscripted into The Program, but all other information is kept secret until the conclusion of the game.
The Current Program
Third Year Class B from Shiroiwa High School is from the (fictional) town of Shiroiwa in Kagawa Prefecture. The name of the town means “Castle Rock.” It’s described as a small town.
Students have been told that the study trip destination is Kyushu island.
The Republic of Greater East Asia
The Republic is comprised of Japan and China, the latter of which is claimed as “part of the homeland.” Unfortunately, one of the biggest troubles facing the Republic is that it is plagued with low birth rates.
Government:
The government ideology is officially described as “national socialism” and the executive authority is called “The Dictator.” To the public, the man currently in control is said to be the 325th Dictator. In reality, he is likely only the 12th, and some suspect that there is no real Dictator, merely figurehead actors.
Goods:
The Republic of Greater East Asia is rich with commodities and suffers no shortages of goods in almost every field but technology, where the Republic lags severely behind America in. Imports are hard to come by, but not impossible. America is considered an enemy state, which makes imports from America more difficult to procure than other foreign imports.
Rock music is outlawed, and instruments come with government-approved stickers that read “Decadent Music is Strictly Prohibited.” Music that is imported from outside of Greater East Asia must have approval from the Popular Music Judiciary Committee, but one can find music that has been smuggled. American books and music are most likely to be found at used book/music stores.
Religion:
There is no national religion. Religious practice is permitted as long as it is expressed moderately, and this right can be revoked at any time. Religious organizations are allowed to run charities and social welfare organizations. Religious orphanages are considered the best; state orphanages are poorly run and funnel their children into the national army: the Special Defense Forces.
Military:
The Special Defense Forces (also called the Non Aggressive Forces) are the military for Greater East Asia. There are Army, Navy, and Air Special Defense Forces. Their soldiers will be stationed on the island to help run the game.
Internet access:
There is Internet but it is closed off to the greater Internet of the rest of the world. It’s known as “Greater East Asia Net.” Some hacking prowess is required to get onto the open Internet.
Resistance:
The standard of living in The Republic of Greater East Asia is generally high and has historically trended upward. Most see the concessions they make to the government, such as censorship of information and The Program, as a small sacrifice for the collective good. People believe they are contributing to a noble cause by serving the public good, and are able to rationalize most things they and the government do for the good of the country. As a result, resistance is low.
Some resistance movements exist, but they are deep underground and difficult to contact. Those who speak out against the government or are suspected of crimes against the state are dealt with swiftly. For higher ranking, wealthier, or more prominent people, their deaths are arranged to look like an accident. Others will be murdered outright. Crimes such as accessing the open Internet can mean two years of jail time and lesser crimes against the state can result in being sent to a forced labor camp, which often results in death.
Other countries of note
There is not that much additional information about the rest of the world. Germany exists and there is a mention of imports from third-world countries. America is considered an enemy state. Korea was briefly reunified; The Republic of Greater East Asia backed the North Korean government. After 40 years, the fascist state fell. Textbooks blame the American imperialists.
Overseas travel for citizens is strictly regulated and special permission must be given to leave. The government doesn’t think well of “incorrect” foreign information and culture.
Fictional Battle Royale Media:
Egg Cats: Some kind of toy fad that was popular when the cast were children.
Tonight, At the Same Place: A romantic melodrama on the DBS network. It has topped the ratings the last few years.
Flip Side: An extremely popular idol group. The lead singer is called Junya Kenzaki.
Okishima is 6 kilometers around. It's roughly 2 kilometers across at the widest point and 2.5 kilometers at the longest point diagonally.
This is Okishima's location in the Seto Inland Sea. Okishima is in the Takamatsu-shi Bay. There are two other islands, Megijima and Ogijima, forming a vertical row of islands where Okishima is the one at the far northern tip. Beyond Ogijima is the mainland, Kagawa Prefecture of Shikoku.
