Chapter 560: Press Conference
"The Russians didn't suffer too badly. Thanks to timely intervention, Ambassador Chelsevski was unharmed. Although most of the embassy staff sustained minor injuries, the real issue is Russia's international image. Such an embarrassing incident won't be easy for the Japanese government to sweep under the rug—Russia will surely demand heavy compensation."
The East African National Defense Security Bureau was summarizing the success of their operation. Diverting the Japanese mob into the Russian embassy was, by all accounts, a brilliant move.
"Other nations with embassies in the district are also furious. They're using this opportunity to pressure Japan—or extort them. Our East African embassy is among them," said one of the agents, laughing at their own handiwork.
It was understandable. The Japanese police had disappeared from the embassy district on the day of the riots, allowing mobs to breach diplomatic compounds. Naturally, this outraged the international diplomatic community.
This was clearly a government tactic to target enemies. Even a handful of police on duty could have improved the situation.
Even if Japan had a problem with East Africa, letting mobs protest and storm foreign embassies without approval from the respective countries crossed a diplomatic line. If Japan could use this against East Africa today, what was stopping them from doing the same to others tomorrow?
Worse, the crowd attacked the wrong embassy. Instead of hurting East Africa, they brought disaster upon Russia.
Russia was probably delighted at the opportunity. Even if they couldn't force Japan to cede territory, they would definitely demand a large financial settlement.
While Russia and other countries applied pressure, East Africa stirred the pot even more. Ambassador Kade, upon hearing of the Russian ambassador's experience, felt only greater disgust toward the Japanese government. Had the Russian embassy not taken the blow, East Africa would've been the target.
He was sure Japan wouldn't compensate East Africa for any losses. In fact, they'd probably use the Southern Ryukyu Islands as leverage.
Disgusted, Kade muttered, "Filthy snakes, nothing but treachery."
An agent from the National Defense Security Bureau advised, "Ambassador, when we meet with other nations later, it would be a good time to propose placing the embassy district under international oversight. Use the argument that Japan's police are unreliable and that foreign diplomats aren't safe. We could turn this place into an extraterritorial zone."
"You mean a concession?"
"Call it what you like. Japan targeted us first, so we don't need to show them any courtesy. We also need to keep pressuring them until our naval fleet arrives in the Southern Ryukyus."
Of course, Japan would never agree to reinstate the humiliating system of foreign concessions. But East Africa didn't expect them to. The goal was to make life harder for Japan. Their negligence had left Ambassador Chelsevski hospitalized—classic case of a scheme backfiring.
While the National Defense Security Bureau and Foreign Ministry coordinated their next move, chaos gripped the Japanese government—especially the officials behind the failed attempt to pressure East Africa with public unrest.
Unsurprisingly, the Edo Police Department took the fall—as a gesture to appease foreign powers.
The police commissioner appeared at a press conference and bowed deeply to apologize, showcasing Japan's famous culture of humility.
"The recent incident occurred due to a scheduling error among our police staff. As the head of the Edo Police Department, I deeply apologize. I am willing to take full responsibility. I will personally cover the medical costs for Ambassador Chelsevski and other injured individuals, and after this is resolved, I will resign to make way for someone more suitable…"
Reporter: "Commissioner, what exactly caused this diplomatic incident? Some say the Japanese government orchestrated it. Do you believe it was tied to tensions with East Africa in Northeast Asia?"
"This is slander. Japan and Russia are close neighbors with strong ties. As for claims of conflict in Northeast Asia—they are completely baseless. Our cooperation in the region far outweighs any competition."
Reporter: "Commissioner, there's a rumor that the attack was meant for East Africa but hit Russia instead because the rioters didn't recognize East Africa's flag. Is that true?"
"Sir, the Japanese government had no part in this event. We had no knowledge of it, nor was it aimed at East Africa. Don't place faith in unverified rumors."
Reporter: "Then who is responsible for the incident?"
"The scene was chaotic, and we haven't identified the exact perpetrators. But we have several suspects. Once Ambassador Chelsevski identifies the attacker, we'll release an update."
Reporter: "Commissioner, what were the attackers' motives?"
Dodging the question, the commissioner said, "Most of them were students—misguided youth. Young people make mistakes. They're easy to influence and lack social experience."
Reporter: "So you're saying students in Edo led the attack?"
"I never said that. They were just part of it—secondary offenders at most. Students generally know enough not to confuse the Russian flag."
Though he planned to shift blame onto the students to deflect responsibility, he couldn't pin the full crime on them. Labeling them as misguided accomplices was a safe middle ground—worthy of only a stern warning.
But the press wasn't going to let him off so easily.
"Commissioner, earlier you said they couldn't distinguish flags. Does that imply Japan intended to target another country and accidentally hit the Russian embassy?"
"…"
He froze. He had spoken too much—and a reporter had seized on it.
"That's a baseless accusation. We had no intention of targeting any country. The mob acted on its own—our government had nothing to do with it!"
"Really? Just now you said the students were manipulated. That implies a planner. But now you're saying it was a spontaneous act. This contradiction is exactly why Edo's bureaucracy has a reputation for talking in circles."
Pfft… A wave of laughter rippled through the room. The reporter had driven the knife in deep.
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