Zenkoku Nippō

[Zabuza825]

Draft instituted: All patriots called to serve in the military!
by Haruto Kirishima

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An Imperial Akitian Army soldier during training.

The National Legislature has passed a draft law, and starting next year all men above the ages of 20 will be required to serve at least 5 years in the military. However, men will have the option to start their mandatory service after graduation from high school or as soon as they turn 18, if they so choose. Women are also encouraged to enlist, though they will be exempt from conscription.

This marks the first return of a draft to Akitsu in 60 years, and a drastic departure from previous government policy which relied entirely on volunteer troops. The government has stated that this measure was passed in an effort to drastically increase the manpower of the military, which they say was lacking. Indeed, according to most international experts Akitsu had a military that was small an underfunded for it's size. Many of it's weapons, while still effective in a modern military role, were beginning to go out of date. The government has stated that it was this neglect of the military that is one of the root causes of Akitsu's decline, and further state promise to correct that.

"The previous governments unjustly gutted the military budget, in order to fund other spending that was unnecessary for the economy." said the Soto "We will correct this error of historic proportions and bring Akitsu to it's rightful place on the international stage. We will become a force to be reckoned with, a force that all citizens can be proud of."