Regional Flag of Commonwealth of Liberty

^{_{January, 1972 - Tammikuuta 1971}}

| THE PRESIDENTIAL ELECTIONS OF 1971 || VUODEN 1971 PRESIDENTIN VAALIT |

| In Finland, the crowds erupt across the streets of the Parliament Building, as the new president is inaugurated into service. The Presidential elections began in the month of November 1971, and ended on the 1st of January, 1972 with the results being entered. The Finnish President was originally the famed politician and spokesperson Urho Kekkonen, who was the original president of the nation, who had been extremely popular due to his famous reforms on civil law and civil business industry. Urho was also quite the charismatic character, some say. Others say he was all about business. Whatever the case, he became one of Finland's more notable presidents known for economic and civil reforms. The Parliament of the Finnish Republic was not scheduled to have their elections until 1973, but that didn't stop Parliament Candidates posting their campaigns all over Finland. Up until Urho, the nation had a relatively heavy capital population, most Fin's live in Helsinki, Urho wanted to support migration to other parts of the country, so, people and Fin's were sent all around the Finnish Country and cities popped up everywhere. The Finnish also industrialized with new technologies as the new century ever so rapidly came and changed everything. |

| Even in spite of Urho's well civil deeds, he officially resigned on the night of December 31st, 1971, on the day of Christmas. The country was ready to go out with Urho and with the new presidency term introduced. Since in Urho's revised constitution, Presidential terms are much shorter than they were, many times, being president was almost a lifelong job. Parliament officially approved the resolution and the Prime Minister passed it as well. The elected Municipal Representatives were quite receptive to the new term length as well, and it was passed on the day of Urho's resignation. The Elections were announced in the months before Urho's resignation, around November of '71. The people began voting early, though only an estimated 70,899 people voted from November-December. The lack of voters was worrying at first, but when Urho officially resigned, people flooded in to vote on the next President of Finland. The votes came in landslides, and soon, almost 89% of the Finnish population had voted. The top three results were noted, and some interesting votes were made. |

Canidate	Precentage	Party
Mauno Koivisto	57%	Centre Party of Finland (RPF)
Martti Ahtisaari	44%	National Progressive Party (NPP)
Kalevi Sorsa	32%	Social Democratic Party of Finland (SDPF)

| With the results, the new elected president of Finland was Mauno Koivisto, who made a whopping 57% of the vote, beating the NPP supporter candidate Martti Ahtisaari, who almost won the vote but was outvoted with a 44% support rate and vote. The nation inaugurated the new president, Mauno Koivisto, on January 1-th, 1972, and the new president of Finland was officially introduced into the state. The country hoped its decision was correct, wishing for another Urho and wishing for another man which would lead the nation in a right perspective, and not blindly lead the needs of the state.

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, and 5 othersNew Provenance, Provenancia, Maziya, Spain-, and Salisbury-Southern Rhodesia

The Republic of Provenancia

1 day 10 hours ago

_{"Wag Matakot!"}

D O W N    W I T H    A G I T A T O R S !

_{"Wag matakot!" is a Filipino phrase that translates to, "Do not be afraid". It is one of the frequent chants of the anti-Marcos protest movement.}

SECOND QUARTER STORM
_{MANILA, THE MANILA PROVINCE, REPUBLIC OF THE PHILIPPINES, Provenancia - EVENING}

| The FIRES were burning in the immediate area around MALACANANG PALACE, home of the President of the Republic, as protestors and demonstrators entered their THIRD day of straight demonstrations. Two weeks ago, the press had declared the beginning of the "SECOND QUARTER STORM" 一 the second batch of nationwide protests since the First Quarter Storm erupted prior to the controversial re-election of President FERDINAND MARCOS SR. Student groups, led by the National Democratic Movement and the Alliance of Students for a Free Philippines, continued demonstrations and some incidents of violence at college campuses and public parks across the capital throughout the holiday season. Flights out of Manila International Airport were temporarily disrupted by protests around the 19th to the 21st of December, 1971. During his Christmas Address, President MARCOS addressed the nation on the matter of the growing instability and violence, calling it "illegal, violent and disruptive to the national conversation". |

"There is not one excuse for the violence and immaturity being displayed by some groups during what should be a time of holiday cheer."

| Despite this, the protestors did not heed the call, and demonstrations continued through the new year and into 1972. The Congress had formally ratified a resolution in November 1971 approving the establishment of a CONSTITUTIONAL CONVENTION to begin drafting a new Philippine Constitution. Allies of the government and publicly-owned media defended the Convention as a "necessary effort to guarantee the continued stability and integrity of the Republic", while opposition groups called it a power grab by the corrupt elite. Demonstrations went hostile outside the convention hall at the Congress Building in Manila, where demonstrators established a pocket against the Philippine Constabulary and METROCOM 一 the special branch of the law enforcement established to defend the peace in the capital 一who were forced to retreat all the way to Manila City Hall. MAYOR OF MANILA, Ramon Bagatsing, one of the survivors of the PLAZA MIRANDA bombing, called for peace among students and urged the demonstrators to stand down. A member of the opposition Liberal Party, students were outraged when Bagatsing authorized the deployment of members of the ARMED FORCES to help quell the violence. |

| One of the catalysts of the demonstrations had been the PLAZA MIRANDA bombing, on August 21, 1971, where a rally of the opposition Liberal Party leadership were allegedly targeted by a bombing. Demonstrators alleged that the bombing was carried out by the Marcos administration, but a Congressional investigatory committee disavowed these claims. Nonetheless, demonstrations continued with greater volatility, especially after the Plaza Miranda bombing inspired renewed calls for a recount of the 1970 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, where Marcos was re-elected by a wide margin. |

| On 12 JANUARY, President Marcos addressed the nation and announced the deployment of over 2,500 members of the armed forces to the Philippine capital, citing the need to quell "communist insurgencies and infiltrations". He also signed a PRESIDENTIAL PROCLAMATION on 9 January granting METROCOM additional powers to make a greater number of arrests in the "spirit of defending the public peace". The opposition Liberal Party and protesting groups criticized the move, but some in the press have begun questioning 一 will these movements have any effect? Indeed, it already appears that the MARCOS government will prevail at the end. Reports are indicating that with the additional deployment of security forces, protestors and demonstrators are weakening. |

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, and 3 othersNew Provenance, Maziya, and Spain-

The State of Nippon-Nihon

1 day 1 hour ago

Edited

SHOWA 42 | APRIL 1967

日曜日の朝

SUNDAY MORNING

 S Ō D A I   H A R U ¹

_{オー・スネイル富士山に登ろうでも、ゆっくり、ゆっくり

O Snail; Climb Mount Fuji But slowly, slowly!}

HONGŌ CAMPUS — EVENING
_{TOKYO, Nippon-Nihon}

| In cities like New York, London, and Paris, citizens frequently use public transport on their daily journeys to work. Tokyo is no different. Tired of this chaotic life in the big city, 25-year-old college lady YOUKO HARA, wearing a beautiful flowered dress and carrying some books, dreams of living in a calm and peaceful place in a coastal city, but her obligations come first. YOUKO’s parents asked her to go to college because one day she would inherit the family’s small restaurant and since then she has kept her grades high, studying day after day. But that would change. On a day like any other at college, her best friend invited her to travel to a seaside town. This was an opportunity for YOUKO to escape the big city, but she refused, giving the excuse that she needed to focus on her studies. |

KYOKO HATTORI, _{University Student}

勉強に集中する必要があるのはわかりますが、時にはリラックスすることも必要です。

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

義務が第一です。

KYOKO HATTORI, _{University Student}

そして第二に、楽しみは来るでしょうか？

| As KYOKO laughed, her friend YOUKO looked at her with a serious look. |

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

間違っている！ 2位は課外活動です。

| KYOKO, however, insisted once again that YOUKO travel with her to the family’s summer home. |

KYOKO HATTORI, _{University Student}

この旅に一緒に行きましょう、お願いします！親友なしではビーチに行くのは嫌です。

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

あなたが勝ちます、私はあなたと一緒に旅行します！でも両親に電話しなければなりません。

KYOKO HATTORI, _{University Student}

あなたが考えを変えるだろうと私は知っていました！この旅行は楽しいでしょう、信じてください。

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

旅費を補助します。

| After her best friend left the room, YOUKO called her parents to tell them that she would be traveling with some friends to a coastal town. Her parents didn’t like the idea, but they didn’t ban her from traveling either. The next day, she and her friend woke up early, got ready, and called a taxi to take them to the airport. YOUKO was fulfilling a dream, she would finally spend time away from the big city. After spending hours stuck in Tokyo’s chaotic traffic, YOUKO and her friends finally arrive at Tokyo airport. While clumsily taking her suitcases out of the car’s trunk, YOUKO accidentally drops one of her suitcases. Not far from her, a friendly 30-something police officer walks towards her to help her, with a smile on his face, he picks up her suitcase. |

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

助けてくれてありがとう、私はとても不器用です。

ICHIRO NOMURA, _{Police Officer}

どういたしまして、困っている人を助けるのはすべての警察官の義務です。

| YOUKO noticed that he had a beautiful smile, and suddenly her heart began to flutter slightly. After ICHIRO finished speaking, YOUKO ’s face started to blush. Then her friend appears to warn her to hurry, but as the two walk, KYOKO looks back and sees the police officer. |

KYOKO HATTORI, _{University Student}

さあ、今すぐ教えてください！なぜあのハンサムな警察官があなたに話しかけてきたのですか？

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

彼はただスーツケースを持ってくるのを手伝ってくれただけです。時間を無駄にするのはやめて、飛行機に乗り遅れないように急ぐ必要があります。

TANESASHI COAST — MORNINGTIME
_{HACHINOHE, Nippon-Nihon}

| When the plane landed at Aomori Airport at 10:05 a.m., the two college ladies and their other friends got off the plane. When leaving the Airport, they rented two Toyota Corollas (E10) because the trip from Aomori to Hachinohe was long. But before leaving, they took a break to eat rice, miso with vegetables, sardines, tamagoyaki, bacon, and sausage. After more than an hour of travel, they finally arrive at KYOKO ’s summer home in Hachinohe. This trip left KYOKO tired, but YOUKO still had energy to spare. |

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

それを見るために街を散歩するつもりですが、ここにはとても美しいビーチがいくつかあると聞きました。

KYOKO HATTORI, _{University Student}

疲れているので、旅行は家で休みます。

| With KYOKO and her other friends settling in at the house, YOUKO then went for a walk around the city. She called a taxi to go to TANESASHI COAST, to visit one of the beaches. |

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

海はなんて美しいんだろう！

| When the taxi arrived at its destination, YOUKO was surprised at the price she would have to pay the driver, but she paid it. When she stepped onto the beach sand, the wind began to ruffle YOUKO ’'s hair, but she walked without caring about the wind. So she found a big rock, sat on it, and enjoyed the fresh sea breeze. Suddenly a bird appeared walking on the beach, it was a green pheasant. YOUKO got up from where she was and went to approach him and tried to pet him but was stung, she tried a second time and was stung again. |

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

それは痛い！

HARU, _Pheasant

私の羽に触れないでください！

| With an alarmed expression, YOUKO started screaming because she had never seen a talking animal before and then ran towards a crowd of people. A few minutes later YOUKO decided to return to the place where she saw the talking pheasant, but it wasn ’t there. She thought it would be better to go home, but this time it would be by bus. Waiting at the bus stop, YOUKO was reading a magazine she bought at a newsstand, and suddenly the pheasant appeared right next to her. |

HARU, _Pheasant

次のバスは午後 1 時 30 分まで来ません。

| YOUKO was a little scared, but she didn’t scream, instead, she spoke to the pheasant. |

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

驚くべきことに、あなたは人間のように話します!

HARU, _Pheasant

私が人間と話せる本当の理由を話しても、あなたは信じないでしょう。

YOUKO HARA, _{University Student}

信じます、私は話す動物と話しています。今では何でも信じています。

HARU, _Pheasant

さて、それでは私が人間と話す理由をお話しますが、すべては始まりました...

| The two talked until the bus arrived. If YOUKO had given up going to the beach and chosen to stay at the summer house with her best friend, she wouldn’t have met her friend HARU, but luckily she chose to go to the beach. |
__

_{¹ A Series: SŌDAI HARU A Japanese college lady, who lives above her parents’ restaurant in Tokyo, one day goes to the beach with some college friends. There she meets a talking green pheasant (Japan’s national bird), at first, she tries to run away from him because she is frightened by a talking animal, but later the two become friends.}

Rutannia, Amsterwald, Metropolitan Francais, Maziya, and 1 otherSpain-

The Republic of Finland of Teikoku

21 hours ago

Edited

Maanantai Iltapäivä
Monday Afternoon

 K A L A S T A J A N  T A R U

^₁

Ui kovemmin, kun määränpääsi näyttää kaukaisimmalta. Swim Harder when your Destination Seems the Farthest.

TURKU PORT- AFTERNOON
_{TURKU, FINLAND}

| In Mariehamn, nothing interesting was ongoing. The people were caged in the islands they called home, stuck to live less. . . adventurous life then most would presume. A young man came to visit his family: Savlmonsta Kaukasimmal, his friends called him Savl. Savl got a new job in Helsinki on the day of Christmas, his family called it his Christmas miracle. On the New Year, he went and traveled to his home town in the Aland Islands: Marieham. Again, Marieham wasn't a very active city. It was the only remotely large city in Aland. The young man was listening to light rock, Led Zeppelin to be exact. He left from Turku, and his ferry ride was scheduled to arrive a few hours from now. He might as well do something, there weren't many people on the boat alongside him. It was just Aland, after all. he approached the ferry captain, who frankly, looked bored as well, if not more bored, the Savl. He approched the boatman. |

| SAVL KAUKASIMMA ^{_{Accountant for the Bank of Finland}} | "Sir, would this boat happen to have any food or drink on board?"

| ANSWELLEV NEVPRUYENBEN ^{_{Captain of the Ferry}} | "No, I don't think so- wait here."

| The Captain went down to the ships bowels and searched for food or drink. He found a old Coca-Cola that had been sitting there for god knows how long. It was cold, though. He came back up to the boy, snapping open the bottle, then speaking: |

| ANSWELLEY ^{_{Captain of the Ferry}} | "Here, Kid."

| The Captain proceeded to toss Savl the bottle, which he caught with elegance. Then, the captain rose to the P.A. talking about promotional products, as he was paid to do. The young Savl came down to the only other 3 people on the boat, one of them he had recognized from school. Savl went over to say hi to his old friend on the boat. He approached his friend with open arms. |

| SAVL KAUKASIMMA ^{_{Accountant for the Bank of Finland}} | "Hey, Ben!" (The friend's name was Alsemmerbenfa, but his friends called him Ben.)

| BEN ^{_{Savl's Friend}} | "Oh, Savl! Long time no see, friend! What have you been doing after our school year?"

| SAVL KAUKASIMMA ^{_{Accountant for the Bank of Finland}} | "Pssht, Yeah, I got a job last Christmas at the State Bank, and it looks to be pretty profitable. What about you?"

| BEN ^{_{Savl's Friend}} | "I got my fishing licence, and I started fishing not too long ago. Going to Aland for its beauty of arctic fish. I heard it's some of the best fish in Finland, hell, in Europe! Let me tell you a story, actually!"

| Ben began to tell Savl of a old fisherman tale about Vellamo, the Finnish Goddess of Lakes and Rivers, a very old myth from Finnish paganism. The fisherman told him the tale of the goddess Vellamo and her fight with the monsters of the sea. The story was a epic told by famous poet and mythological writer in 1456, known as Vestapplan Bershen, one of if not the most famous poet in Finnish history, known for his mythological epics written in the time of the peak of Finnish paganism. The most famous quote, once used as the Finnish motto, from the poem, was:

"When your destination seems the farthest, Swim Harder."

The tale was lasting all the way until the arrival at Aland. Sval was very intrigued by the tale, when Ben gave his goodbyes at the port, Sval began to think about the meaning of the poem. He started on the way to his grandparents home about what Vestapplen meant, what he was trying to convey. The young man thought about it the whole mile he had to walk. Eventually, when he made it to his grandparents home, his grandparents cooked him dinner and they put the television on. As his grandma was sleeping, he snuck to her mini library in his grandma's room. He found an old book, titled the "Epic's of Vestapplen" a book which looked like it hadn't been touched in almost centuries. He read, and found the same tale. the author was simply "A Fisherman in Aland." no exact origin was pinned. The mystery intrigued Sval, and he decided to go out into the cold weather of Finland. He walked to the garden outside, where he found a fake plant. He pulled it, and something opened below. He dug it up: it was an old relic, one with the name "Vestapplen" written across it. His eyes widened as he threw the snow off of the relic and saw the name, eventually, he left and set down to bed. He did not know what he found, but whatever he did, it was importnant. |

Amsterwald, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, Maziya, and 1 otherSpain-

The Republic of Formosa-

17 hours ago

₁₉₇₂

_{^{REPUBLIC OF CHINA | 中華民國}}

𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙻𝙴𝙶𝙰𝙲𝚈 𝙾𝙵 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚆𝙷𝙸𝚃𝙴 𝚃𝙴𝚁𝚁𝙾𝚁 𝙸𝙸: 𝙻𝙰𝚂𝙷𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝙾𝚄𝚃 𝙰𝙶𝙰𝙸𝙽𝚂𝚃 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝚃𝙰𝙽𝙶𝚆𝙴𝙸 白色恐怖的遗产 2：毀滅黨外

A_{midst a shift in the geopolitical position of Taiwan, no longer considered the only China by most of the world, especially their so-called 'allies' in Asia such as Korea. It has become more critical than ever that the ideals of Chiang Kai-shek and the KMT must be upheld under all circumstances, the once tolerated idea of young Benshengren (native) Taiwanese and their aspirations for 'democracy' could no longer be tolerated amongst an increased crackdown by the government and a desire - no a need - to pursue an iron grip on the island.}

_{Empowered by the hardliners in the KMT who have all but overtaken most important positions despite the moderate presence of Chiang Ching-kuo, the military apparatus has began an aggressive offensive against dissenting voices, especially targeting those pesky Benshengren Taiwanese political collective known as the Tangwei movement. Hand in hand with the shadowy and feared National Security Bureau (NSB), the military government under General Hua has begun to wield a sword that aims to cut whatever it finds on its path. Officially under the excuse of 'suppressing Red dissent and stamping out the Communist threat', the McCarthyist attitude has hidden what has been an indiscriminate attack against any non hardline KMT nationalist.}

_{With no choice but to accept the desires of the KMT, Chiang Ching-kuo has begun to face his first real test since his father stepped down from party leadership and put him in charge. Ching-kuo has thus begun to put his Soviet upbringing and education to use, in turn identifying the need to step up the KMT's ideological and propaganda hold to ensure that the crackdown is succesful. Targetting what could be received as 'inspiring ideas of separatism', the KMT under Ching-kuo has launched a massive repression campaign against many pieces of press and literature, instead replacing them by KMT-sanction glorification of (revised) history and material that emphasizes Chinese nationalism, painting the idea of making Taiwan independent equivalent to treason.}

_{Extending beyond just these, the military government has also begun to draft a new educational curriculum in education through the Ministry of Education. With humanistic subjects being subject to strong KMT-approved revision to emphasize a specific Chinese identity while erasing most of the history of the island to do away with any notions of an independent Taiwan that exists without a greater China unified under the KMT.}

_{Seeping into the private lives of ordinary citizens. The military government and the NSB has made surveillance a pervasive fact of life - not that it was not before, just at a heightened level this time - with informants incentivized to report on neighbors, colleagues, and even family members suspected of harboring dissenting views. Arbitrary arrests and disappearances become commonplace, instilling a climate of fear and self-censorship among the populace. Restoring the legacy of the first White Terror to many Taiwanese citizens}

_{As the crackdown continues, its inevitable that there will be resistance. For now however, the crackdown has succeeded in temporarily driving the Tangwei movement completely underground, and ensuring that the KMT is without rival for the time being.}

-----------------------------

"If when I die, I am still a dictator, I will certainly go down into the oblivion of all dictators. If, on the other hand, I succeed in establishing a truly stable foundation for a democratic government, I will live forever in every home in China" ~ Chiang Kai-shek

Amsterwald, Nippon-Nihon, Metropolitan Francais, Maziya, and 1 otherSpain-

The Confederacy of Paceroplestopca

3 hours ago

Edited 2 hours ago

The Dawn of A New Age For Burma:
Using the pretext of restoring order and stability, initiate a purge within the military, targeting any officers suspected of disloyalty or sympathies towards democratic ideals. Burma is starting a propaganda campaign to justify the purge and emphasizing the necessity of a strong, centralized government to prevent chaos and foreign interference.Implementing strict social control measures to uphold traditional conservative values and maintain order within Burma. Enforcing strict censorship laws to suppress any dissenting voices and promote traditional cultural values through state-controlled media. Making plans to build more factories to produce goods for the nations economy .

Maziya and Spain-

The Federation of NewAuroria

2 hours ago

_{Canadian Government's Plan to Expand Oil Production}

Canadian Government's Plan to Expand Oil Production
_{Ottawa City, Ontario, NewAuroria — EVENING}

| The Canadian government, under the leadership of Prime Minister Robert Stanfield, has unveiled an ambitious plan to significantly increase oil production by two to three times by the end of the 1970s. This plan is a response to the steady rise in oil prices and the growing demand for energy both domestically and internationally. The strategy involves modernizing existing oil sands and fields in Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as the construction of new oil fields in the Northwest Territories oil basins. One key aspect of the government's plan is the modernization of existing oil sands and fields in Alberta and Saskatchewan. This involves implementing advanced technologies and techniques to enhance extraction efficiency and increase production output. Through investments in infrastructure and equipment upgrades, the government aims to maximize the potential of these resources while minimizing environmental impact. |

| In addition to modernizing existing facilities, the government is spearheading the construction of new oil fields in the Northwest Territories' oil basins. These untapped reserves hold significant potential for expanding Canada's oil production capacity. The development of these new fields will not only create employment opportunities but also contribute to the country's energy security and economic growth. Recognizing the importance of environmental stewardship, the Canadian government has made significant investments in research and development aimed at minimizing the impact of oil extraction on the natural environment. Millions of dollars are being allocated to innovative technologies that aim to reduce water usage, mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, and minimize habitat disruption. By prioritizing sustainability, the government aims to balance economic growth with environmental conservation. |

| The expansion of Canada's oil production will have far-reaching economic benefits, including increased revenue, job creation, and investment opportunities. The development of new oil fields and the modernization of existing infrastructure will stimulate economic growth in regions dependent on the energy sector. Furthermore, the increased production capacity will strengthen Canada's position as a global energy supplier, enhancing its competitiveness in international markets. The Canadian government's plan to expand oil production represents a strategic effort to address rising energy demands while fostering economic growth and environmental sustainability. Through modernization initiatives, construction of new oil fields, and investments in research and development, Canada is poised to significantly increase its oil output by the end of the 1970s. This ambitious undertaking underscores the country's commitment to meeting the energy needs of its citizens while safeguarding the natural environment for future generations. |

Ababemba
Abessinienreich
Adriatican Islands
Alzarikstan
Amsterwald
Anglo channel
Arcanda
Bayern kahla
Bescania
Brazil Toucan
Canovia
Cascadla
Central arstotzka
Connomia
East Germany DDR
Great Britain GB
Greater Kurdistane
Hashemite Kingdoms
Hatzburg
Honghai
Israelli
Kewtpuff
Kotakuan II
La Granadinas
Ma-li
Maziya
Metropolitan Francais
Moroavia
Nevbrejnovitz
New Provenance
Nileia
Nippon-Nihon
Nonador
Nosautempopulus
OsivoII
Paramountica
Paseo
Peking Zhongguo
Pontianus
Provenancia
Ranponian
Reyzen
Rutannia
Socialist Democratic Republic Romania
Spainard
Sri-lanka
Sudesam
Teymour
The black star-
The sun states
Turkiye 1st
Ubertica
Vancouver Straits
Victoria Harbor
Vietnam sv
Virnall

Maziya and Spain-

The State of Nippon-Nihon

96 minutes ago

Edited 75 minutes ago

SHŌWA 47 | FEBRUARY 1972

アジア初の冬季オリンピック

Asia’s First Winter Olympics

 ‘ 7 2   W I N T E R   O L Y M P I C S

君が代は
千代に八千代に
細石の
巌と為りて
苔の生すまで

May your reign 
Continue for a thousand, 
eight thousand generations, 
Until the tiny pebbles 
Grow into massive boulders 
Lush with moss

MAKOMANAI PARK — NOON
_{SAPPORO, Nippon-Nihon}

| The Emperor has declared the Winter Olympic Games open, which after 48 years has seen intense controversy over commercialism in skiing. On a sunny, blue-sky day, there were colorful balloons in the air as an enthusiastic crowd of around 50,000 people watched bands play and athletes parade on a newly built outdoor speed skating rink. At these Olympic Games, the Japanese passed up the parachutists, showers of roses, and other reenactments of the last Winter Games in Grenoble, France, and some liked it better that way. For so long monopolized by Europe and the United States, it will be the first time that the Winter Olympic Games will be held in Asia. There are 1,100 participating athletes, including 800 Japanese child skaters, and there were also 18,000 balloons, both filling the $4.4 million Makomanai outdoor skating rink with color, while a military band plays “The Ballad of the Rainbow and Snow.” |

| The opening ceremony opened at 11 a.m., Sapporo time. At around 11:45 a.m., a young Japanese lady dressed in white skated into the arena holding an Olympic torch that had been lit five weeks ago in Greece. The Torah was handed over to HIDEKI TAKADA, a volleyball enthusiast with no experience in winter sports, who climbed the 103 steps in 35 seconds and lit the Olympic cauldron. There will be 35 events across six sports in 14 locations over 11 days until February 13th. The Sapporo Winter Olympics hosted 1,125 competitors from 35 countries. Second only to the 1,293 from 37 countries at the 1968 Winter Olympics in Grenoble, France, the heart of winter sports. The 1964 Tokyo Olympics brought together 6,000 athletes from 94 countries. The largest number comes from the U.S., with 118 athletes, followed by 90 from Japan and West Germany and 84 from the U.S.S.R. For the first time, Taiwan and the Philippines participate in the Winter Olympic Games. But they have as many opportunities as a snowflake in Manila. The Japanese are trying, like everything these days, but hope for a medal lies with jumper YUKIO KASAYA. |

| All sports facilities, except the downhill events on Mount Eniwa, are half an hour from the center of Sapporo. Sapporo also overtook Oslo as the largest host city for the Winter Olympics. This metropolis of one million people, founded just over 100 years ago, is the prosperous commercial capital of northern Japan. While not at the forefront of winter sports like Saint Moritz or Lake Placid, the Japanese city had been established long enough to win the 1940 Winter Games title. Tokyo hosted the Summer Olympics in the same year, but with the war this did not happen. But after the Japanese again won the opportunity to host the Olympic Games, Sapporo dove headlong into the meticulous planning and careful rehearsals that characterized the Japanese efforts. All sports facilities were completed a year in advance and tested in pre-Olympic events. Both the Japanese Government and the business community provided generous funds to make Japan proud of the Winter Olympics. $600 million were spent to modernize Sapporo for the Games. |

Spain-