Shimajiro Today

Cappedore · July 4, 2025, 2:30pm

SHIMAJIRO TODAY STANDARD ISSUE
4 July 2025

FPP: Shinsuke Mizuno could “wiggle his way back into the party” following Kazuya Igarashi’s resignation, party members fear

MEMBERS of the Free People’s Party have feared the return of Shinsuke Mizuno to the party, following Kazuya Igarashi’s announcement of his resignation in June.

Mizuno, the party’s former leader and former Imperial Chancellor, had a highly publicized falling-out with Igarashi in 2023, leading to his suspension and eventual expulsion from the party. Although he remained an independent member of the House of Representatives, Mizuno chose not to contest his seat in the 2025 election, after which he announced he was “looking to create a new left-wing party” to rival the FPP, whom he believes has failed the left-wing of Shimajiro.

Ayane Arima, a close friend of Mizuno’s, has announced her bid to contest for the FPP’s leadership in June, and is currently counted as one of the favourites to win. However, many within the FPP believe that Arima as leader could lead to Mizuno’s return to the party, and return to mainstream Shimanese politics overall.

“For too long have the FPP allowed themselves to be trampled upon by the right-wingers in the Democratic and WOTP parties. Their growth tells us one thing: Shimajiro needs a united left-wing. My leadership will promise that.” Arima stated in a campaign speech.

Despite concerns of a returning Shinsuke Mizuno, Ayane Arima appears to be most likely to win the leadership election, and therefore the most likely to become the next leader of the Free People’s Party, evidenced by a strong support from her peers in the House of Representatives and a sizeable party following, including some supporters outside of the party.

Cappedore · July 12, 2025, 2:20pm

SHIMAJIRO TODAY STANDARD ISSUE
12 July 2025

GOVERNMENT: Shimajiro to “abolish” prison sentences for petty crime and fraudsters, insiders report

IN A RECENT struggle to free up space in Shimajiro’s correctional facilities, provisions are being made by the Ministry of Justice to abolish rehabilitative sentances for petty criminals, including those found guilty of fraudulent behaviour and embezzlement.

Hajime Kawaguchi, the Minister of Justice, today announced a government initiative to preserve prison space for “Shimajiro’s most wanted and most dangerous criminals”, including murderers, those convicted of sexual offenses, those convicted of assault charges, arsonists, and those convicted of theft.

Should such an initiative, which would require legislative approval, come into effect, minor criminals could see themselves released by 2026, instead being offered alternatives such as house arrests, suspended sentences and curfews.

“We have the opportunity here to do something big,” an insider from the Ministry of Justice told Shimajiro Today, “for too long have we struggled to find appropriate room in correctional facilities across Shimajiro for the nation’s most dangerous offenders. Soon, this could all be a thing of the past, and we could perhaps serve a bit more compassion and understanding as a country should we all play our part.”

The move has been met negatively by some, positively by others. Many across Shimajiro suggest that the initiative could have “devastating consequences” and could heighten the reoffending rate. Others welcome the initiative, believing that prison sentences for minor crimes are “wholly cruel and unjust.”

Cappedore · July 18, 2025, 1:16am

SHIMAJIRO TODAY STANDARD ISSUE
18 July 2025

POLITICS: Ayane Arima SKYROCKETS TO VICTORY in Free People’s Party leadership race after opponents drop out

Representative Ayane Arima of the FPP, pictured in April 2025

AYANE ARIMA, a member of the House of Representatives, has won the Free People’s Party leadership election after her two opponents dropped out of the race.

Her two opponents, Hifumi Miyazaki and Sun Hayashi, today announced that they would be dropping out of the race after losing massively to Arima in the representative’s first round votes. Arima also recieved the most nominations from peers in the Imperial Diet initially and was the favourite candidate to win amongst the membership. She has been elected as the new Leader of the Free People’s Party.

Former leader Kazuya Igarashi, who has today told his constituency that he intends to resign as a representative, congratulated Arima on her monumental victory. He wishes her the best of luck in leading the FPP into a “brighter, grander future”.

Fellow party leaders, Imperial Chancellor Sayuri Fujimura and Leader of the Opposition Kazuyuki Nakabayashi have been quick to congratulate Arima on her victory, saying that they both look forward to working with her in the House of Representatives.

Former FPP leader and Imperial Chancellor Shinsuke Mizuno has also offered his own personal congratulations. Arima was a close political ally and advisor of Mizuno’s throughout his tenure as party leader and Imperial Chancellor. Some suspect that Mizuno may now be welcomed back into the FPP under Arima’s leadership. Truly, only time will tell, and it could even mean that Mizuno and Arima use her new position to create a new political party, some have conspired.

Arima’s leadership will surely define the next five years of Shimanese political opposition. Watch all the action and information unfold only on Shimajiro Today.

Cappedore · July 29, 2025, 9:53pm

SHIMAJIRO TODAY STANDARD ISSUE
29 July 2025

POLITICS: New FPP Leader Ayane Arima says “no place for Shinsuke Mizuno” under her leadership in shocking revelation

THE NEW LEADER of the Free People’s Party, Mrs Ayane Arima, has today announced that she has “no intentions” of reinstating former chancellor Shinsuke Mizuno’s party membership in a confusing and sudden statement.

Arima, who was elected as party leader on July 18th, had reportedly “conferred with Mizuno” after her election to the party leadership, and said that the two were “unfortunately unable to arrive at a mutual understanding.” Mr. Mizuno has declined any requests for an interview. It is understood he is still endeavouring to form his own new party.

Mrs. Arima has said that her decision was “upsetting”, with her reportedly being “excited to welcome an old friend back into the party” - however, the pair may be more politically unalike than what is to be believed. She has stated that their polticial and professional relationship remains “close and empathetic” to this day.

Chancellor Fujimura: Shimajiro is closer to UNAC membership

IMPERIAL CHANCELLOR Sayuri Fujimura has said that the nation can look forward to a much closer relationship with the United Nations of the Auroran Continent in the months to come.

Though not yet ready for a full membership deal, which she has persisted is very much still in the works, Chancellor Fujimura has said that our relations with the Auroran continent are at the closest they’ve ever been in history.

Sayuri Fujimura “very much looks forward to” completing a deal which she believes will bring the country much closer to prosperity. Time will only tell.

Takumi Saito: Shimanese pop legend has died aged 82

Takumi Saito, one of the greatest Shimanese pop music icons of the late 80s and 90s, has died today at the age of 82.

Saito’s colourful and instrumental on-stage persona, and his lyrical expertise and his ability to move minds (and eyes) with his moving pop-rock ballads brought him great musical distinction for which he will forever be remembered. His advocacy and status as a Shimanese LGBTQ+ icon will be etched in history as groundbreaking and heartwarming.

Princess Asuka issued a statement this afternoon describing Saito as “one of (her) greatest musical inspirations”, alongside her sister-in-law, Princess Sumire.

Saito’s family and close friends have requested privacy during this difficult time. It is understood that Saito battled with colon cancer for much of the past seven years.

Shimajiro Today remembers Takumi Saito.
24 January 1943 - 29 July 2025.