The New World Technology Outflow Prevention Act is a series of laws and regulations enacted by the Japanese government in order to restrict the export of Japanese technology to the other nations of the New World.
The aim of this Act is to prevent the configuration and manufacturing process of all Japanese technology being known to the rest of the New World. In addition the Act ensures that no piece of military and civilian technology with dual-use application will fall into the hands of other countries.
Overview[]
When Japan was transferred into the New World, its current technological level was early 21st century while the technology of the surrounding nations, including the Third Civilizations and outside the civilized areas were still in the medieval and renaissance periods. The nations of the Qua-Toyne Principality and the Quila Kingdom immediately saw the potential advantage of Japanese technology and wished to import it into their lands. While the Japanese were willing to help improve these nations in terms of infrastructure and quality of living, they were quite adamant not to give to these nations technology with potential military applications. However, they would come to their defense in order to protect their import of food and natural resources.
When encountering the Third and Second Civilizations, the Japanese determined that those nations were in a perpetual state of war with each other and that any export of Japanese military technology would cause an arms race that would eventually threaten Japan itself. As a result, advanced military and defense technology are not exported to the other countries, even to their allies such as Mu and the Holy Milishial Empire. Furthermore, all books that can be bought in Japan do not explain how such technology is being produced, though there is a common misconception that a nation can improve its technology by visiting the local bookstore.
Civilian technology and services like healthcare are exported to other nations, but are of lesser quality or at the same level of current technology of the importing nation provided it is not used militarily. Manufacturing process of all exported civilian technology, including food and beverage recipes are closely guarded secrets and kept confidential by all Japanese corporations. This is to maintain their monopoly in the consumer market as well as prevent their applications toward military purposes.
The Technology Outflow Bill, however, can be loosened depending on the scenario, and on how far the requesting country is willing to cooperate. Due to Mu's relationship with Japan, the latter was allowed to establish and use Mu's airport for economic cooperation, and Mu was able to receive the technical data of some Japanese technology that is considered to be highly advanced for Mu but obsolete by Japanese standards. Things like the blueprints of Japan's First Generation Jet Fighter, although they must research Jet Technology by themselves. Another example is when they needed to have the La Kasami-class Battleship repaired and upgraded in order to fight the Gra-Valkas Navy on better terms. The Japanese couldn't replace the old steam engines with gas turbines (but in the LN, Japan replaced it with gas turbine engines since the LN version of La Kasami is equipped with diesel engine) but they could strengthen the hull and make it more efficient in moving through the water. Furthermore, the main armaments were improved with a rudimentary Fire Control system and the ship was equipped with better anti-aircraft batteries. Lastly, the ship was given a small arsenal of missiles and torpedoes and was re-christened the La Kasami Kai. These improvements helped Mu during the Battle of Otaheit Offshore. Since Mu is willing to fully cooperate with Japan and is considered a close ally, Mu is the first New World nation that is being considered for a technology transfer, specifically for the XF3-400 engine for its Shinden Fighter. This will not only prepare Mu for the eventual return of the Ravernal Empire, but will also put their technology level ahead of all the other superpower nations.
Due to the Technology Outflow Bill, Japan's military technology as classified as highly guarded secrets. This also caused resentment in some countries who wish to advance their current levels of technology and overall prestige. The Riem Kingdom, despite taking an essential role in the rebellion against the Parpaldia Empire felt that it had been cheated out of the spoils of that conflict. In all aspects save for magic, Riem is still very inferior to Japan in terms of military might and prestige. With the Technology Outflow Bill in effect, Riem could not enhance its military technology to be on par with the other nations of the Third and Second Civilizations. Partially out of fear of the Gra Valkas Empire and out of jealousy of Japan for the perceived betrayal, Riem has decided to side with the Gra-Valkas against the other nations during the New World War. Though they now have access to better military technology thanks to their alliance with the Gra-Valkas Empire, Riem doesn't realize that Gra-Valkas technology is still 70 years behind Japan's and made Japan into their enemy. Furthermore, this led to the Holy Milishial Empire to declare war on Riem.
Restricted or Non-Exported Technology[]
This is any kind of technology that has a dual-use application that could potentially become a weapon or weapons of mass destruction that threatens Japan. This includes nuclear, biochemical or guided munitions. This also includes space or satellite technology. Military defense secrets are closely-guarded, such as plans for a stealth fighter and the creation of nuclear weapons.
Weapons that are not advanced are allowed export albeit with restrictions depending on the circumstances. For example, the compound bow was not seen as a weapon that could substantially threaten Japan and was considered more for sports than for war. Therefore, the Japanese did not realize that the compound bow could change the face of warfare in the Third Civilization Area, mostly due to Japan's usage of modern firearms. During the New World War, Japan was contracted to mass-produce captured Gra Valkas small arms, to be used by the allied nations. Since these firearms were of World War 2 level of technology, they were not seen as a major threat compared to the Japanese assault rifles and portable anti-tank weaponry. It is unknown whether the contract also included armor used by the military, such as Kevlar and the Combat Helmet.
Japan does the establishment of a manufacturing factory outside the country, with concerns that this may expose or spill some of their technology by accident. Especially Japan's production industry is using robotic equipment. Every country that forms a diplomatic relationship with Japan can order some non-military technology to the Japanese company representative on each country. The only thing that was allowed for export is a workshop that mainly deals with repair and maintenance of equipment with strict supervision of the government of Japan.
Civilian Nuclear Technology is strictly prohibited for export especially due to the citizens of the New World lack of understanding of Advanced Physics and Chemical Science. The threat of radiation was the main reason why the Japanese Government prohibits the export of Nuclear Power Plant technology despite its civilian usage.
The methods of processing and refining high-grade metals, such as Titanium and Kevlar, are also not exported. Though the New World nations may be able to attain these materials, either legally or illegally, they still would not be able to reproduce them. Certain manufacturing processes, such as the use of automation and robotics are also considered as confidential.
Export Technology[]
Outdated technology or technology intended for civilian use are allowed for export, such as consumable goods and infrastructure products. So far, Japanese automobile is the most popular. The light-powered wristwatch is also a hot commodity as it is superior to the mechanical watches made by Mu. Other items that improve the quality of living include propane gas stoves, water-purification systems, and portable electric generators. Paved roads replace cobblestone and the train has greatly improved the transport of goods and services. Additionally, Japan constructed depots that serve as a workshop for the maintenance of infrastructure and to ensure that business remains operational.
In Mu, seaports and airports have been greatly overhauled to receive huge merchant ship and commercial aircraft from Japan. In fact, there is a ten-year waiting list for those who wish import modern merchant ships. Fuel processing and storage plants are also in demand.
One interesting thing to note is that despite the fact that Japan will not reveal any of their core technology, they do not stop anyone from learning the fundamental principles behind them, such as physics, chemistry, biology, etc. Learning the principles and structure is one thing and applying the principles and structure into practical usage is another thing. Nations like Mu are more than willing to give up their adherence to magic and learn the ways of science. The only condition is they must sign up to study in Japan since Japan holds the best lecturers to share the knowledge. Queen Lumies spent at least a year at a Japanese university to strengthen her knowledge in the Economy and Business Departments, in order to rule her kingdom more efficiently. Of course, Japan can do nothing if nations either discover or learn those principles on their own.
Japanese science magazines are the best source to gain information about Japan's technology whether it is civilian or military technology. Although the specification is shown, the methods of production is not revealed, not even to the Japanese public. Normally, under the agreement between producers, such as military or civilian factories and the publisher, some equipment and vehicles are exposed down all the way to the X-Ray mode where the structure of the equipment and vehicle can be made, while retaining the confidentiality of how to produce such things. The Gra Valkas Empire's technician Naguano was able to see the specifications of the Type-93 missiles through a magazine. How they are made and how to create the guidance systems remain confidential. As a result, the Gra Valkas' attempts to fool the missiles with their jammer that resulted in catastrophic failure. Mu attempted to study Japan's automobile turbocharger as they are trying to improve Marin's performance.
Although there is a risk that some New World countries, especially Mu will someday manage to put the scientific and technological principles learned from the Japanese into practical applications, or managed to reverse-engineer some Japanese technology by researching their structure and mode of operation, the process will take at least decades or even centuries judging from the massive technological gap between Japan and the rest of the New World. As a result, it is highly possible that by the time countries in the New World manage to reach Japan's 21st century tech level, the Japanese would have widened the tech gap further, in which all their 21st century technology would have been considered obsolete. Best example is that even if Mu or Holy Mirishial Empire managed to create perfect guided missiles or jet fighters sometime in the future, the JSDF would already create far more advanced jet fighters that have better stealth technologies and can travel at or beyond Mach 5 or hypersonic missiles. The JSDF could also already done developing countermeasures for 21st century guided missiles.