Prologue
In 2030, Japan was in turmoil.
The economy had stagnated, hereditary politicians dominated the government, democracy had become powerless, and the people had lost hope.
As politics degenerated, major corporations moved overseas, leaving small and medium-sized businesses on the brink of bankruptcy.
Amid this chaos, lawyer Hiroshi Abe harbored a radical idea:
"What if we ran the country like a corporation?"
This idea stemmed from his experience in the legal field, where he had witnessed firsthand how outdated the current laws and systems were, no longer suited to modern society.
Just as companies are run efficiently to generate profits and reward their shareholders, a nation could be managed in the same way.
Abe envisioned treating citizens as shareholders and organizing the government as a board of directors.
This was his concept for a new form of governance.
Chapter 1: The Awakening
Abe shared this idea with his friend, economist Takashi Kamikawa.
At first, Kamikawa was surprised and skeptical, but Abe’s passion inspired him to take the idea seriously.
"If the nation were run like a corporation, with citizens participating directly in management as shareholders, it could lead to a more transparent and efficient government.
We might even be able to reform the inefficient party politics and bureaucratic systems."
Together, they began drafting the National Corporation Law.
The law aimed to redefine the role of government, treating citizens’ rights and duties as those of shareholders.
Fifty directors, elected directly by the citizens, would decide the country’s policies.
Additionally, citizens would participate in governance through shareholder meetings, having a direct influence on the nation’s direction.
Chapter 2: The Challenge
Once the draft was completed, Abe and Kamikawa launched a campaign to promote the idea.
They used television and the internet to appeal to the public, introducing the concept of a "Nation Inc."
Initially, many people were skeptical.
"Running a country like a company?
That’s impossible."
But gradually, those suffering from economic hardship and the young people disillusioned with existing politics began to support their idea.
"Nation Inc." started to gain attention as a model that blended a new form of democracy with capitalism.
However, numerous obstacles stood in their way.
Politicians and bureaucrats who sought to protect their vested interests fiercely opposed the idea, and the media dismissed it as an "unrealistic pipe dream."
Yet, Abe and Kamikawa never gave up.
They organized a citizens’ movement, held lectures and demonstrations across the country, and gradually expanded their support base.
Chapter 3: The Revolution
After five years of tireless efforts, the National Corporation Law was finally brought before the Diet for debate.
Abe and Kamikawa lobbied the most influential legislators directly, using every possible means to persuade them.
They continued to stress the need to explore new paths before the nation collapsed entirely.
As Japan teetered on the brink of revolution, the National Corporation Law eventually gained the support of the Diet.
With the law’s passage, Japan began to change dramatically.
The government was restructured as a board of directors, and the bureaucratic system underwent a thorough overhaul.
Regular referendums, serving as shareholder meetings, allowed citizens to vote on national policies, making them directly responsible for the country's direction.
The nation, now run like a corporation, aimed not only to generate profit but also to promote public welfare and environmental protection.
Chapter 4: Glory and Consequence
In the first few years, Japan experienced remarkable growth.
Unemployment dropped, the economy recovered, and citizens felt a renewed sense of involvement in the governance of their nation.
It seemed as though Nation Inc. had succeeded.
However, cracks in the system began to appear.
As profit maximization took priority, social inequality widened, and environmental problems worsened.
Moreover, divisions began to emerge among the citizens as shareholders, leading to a deepening national divide.
The voices of rural areas were increasingly ignored, exacerbating the gap between urban and rural regions.
Abe found himself facing the unintended consequences of the system he had created.
He began to question whether running the nation like a corporation truly served the happiness of all its people.
Chapter 5: A New Choice
As the future of Nation Inc. grew increasingly uncertain, a new movement began to emerge among the citizens.
There was a growing demand for a political model that was more humane and focused on empathy.
Abe reconsidered his vision and proposed improvements to the system, though it differed from the ideal he had initially envisioned.
Once again, he collaborated with Kamikawa, drafting a new reform plan that aimed for a more harmonious and sustainable society, moving beyond the merger of the state and corporate models.
This new model emphasized not only economic growth but also social justice and environmental protection, prioritizing the well-being of the citizens above all else.
Epilogue
Abe once again stood before the people and spoke of his new vision.
Through the experience of Nation Inc., he had come to understand the complexity of governance and the human societal issues that cannot be solved by a simple economic model.
To be continued.
