The Impact of North America's Disappearance Runs Around the World

The sea level has dropped by about 3 meters, and the sea area has increased by approximately 6,7%.

If North America, which has a surface area of about 24 million square kilometers, were to completely disappear into the ocean's depths, the sea level would retreat by about 200 meters. In other words, only the surface of the North American continent has vanished somewhere. Where North America once was, a shallow sea with an average depth of 50 meters is now there.

This area is called the Former North American Shelf.

- ほうこうおんち

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Matsuoka, who had returned to the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, conveyed the information he had received earlier from the British Embassy to Minister Ichizō Kobayashi. However, this Minister of Commerce and Industry was not merely a figurehead, but had been appointed to the position as a representative of the business community. In practice, the real authority lay with Deputy Minister Nobusuke Kishi.

Nobusuke Kishi, a graduate of the Faculty of Law at the University of Tokyo, had chosen to join the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce, which was considered a secondary ministry at the time, instead of the Ministry of Home Affairs. When the Ministry of Agriculture and Commerce was split into the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, he was assigned to the former.

In 1936, Kishi traveled to Manchuria and implemented the "Five-Year Industrial Development Plan." He had extensive connections across the military, finance, and government sectors. Kishi was sharp, but also had connections with the military and opium traders, which gave him a somewhat dubious reputation. However, in times of emergency, such qualities might be exactly what was needed.

'That's some guts.'

While Kishi did not show any signs of panic, unlike Minister Kobayashi, who was sitting in on the report, Matsuoka, who was the one delivering the report, initially looked flustered. But as he observed Kishi, he regained his composure.

While surprised internally, Kishi was mainly focused on using his mind to plan for what was to come.

Then he said, "We can't just take the British side's word for it. They might have just deceived us. I'll have the Navy look into it, and we can investigate on our side as well. Until then, don't do anything. That will be fine, right, Kobayashi-san?"

"Do nothing?"

"That's right. Don't do anything. This is beyond your authority to interfere with. You may leave now."

Though Matsuoka was dissatisfied, he left the minister's office in silence. However, he was soon called by Kishi for a meeting... at a Japanese restaurant.

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"You should lay low for a while," Kishi said, pouring Matsuoka a drink and speaking in a Chōshū dialect.

Matsuoka, feeling tense as his superior served him, asked for clarification.

"You know there was also a member of the Special Higher Police at the meeting with the British diplomat, right? Along with their investigation of the diplomats, you have also been placed under surveillance."

"What? I thought I had asked the Special Higher Police to keep watch over me to ensure my own innocence. Isn't that the case?"

"They don't operate on that kind of logic. It's their job to suspect everyone. That's why it's better for you to lay low for now. I'll ensure your innocence, so please remain quiet until then."

When Kishi had been assigned to Manchuria, he became acquainted with Hideki Tōjō, who was then the Chief of Staff of the Kwantung Army and now the Army Minister. Using Tōjō's influence, Kishi planned to have Matsuoka removed from the surveillance list of the Special Higher Police.

"You are scheduled to be transferred to the Total War Research Institute which will be established next month, right? You'll be taking the same position as me, the Deputy Minister of Commerce and Industry, or was it the Minister of Commerce and Industry? In that role, I think you'll also be working with Tōjō-san. At that time, you might propose opinions that could overturn what the Army has been doing so far. Listen, it's not the content of the opinion that's important. What matters is who said it, and what kind of person they are."

"I don't quite understand."

"There aren't many great leaders in the world who will listen to an opinion just because someone they dislike said it. If you voice an opposing opinion, you'll likely be purged. But, if someone favored says something, even if it's painful to hear, people might still listen. Do you understand?"

"I understand. But does this mean I need to flatter General Tōjō to do that?"

"That's not necessary. But you must make sure you're not seen as a traitor or someone working against the nation. You need to firmly establish the impression that you're a patriot. Regardless of what you truly feel, you must present yourself this way. You've been chosen for the Total War Research Institute, and you've been recognized by British diplomats. You can't act like an ordinary citizen anymore. You need to conduct yourself properly. Do you understand?"

"I understand."

"Then, do your best. Your opinion might be crucial to Japan's future."

"Thank you for the lecture. I'll keep it in mind."

At this moment, the direction of Seijūrō Matsuoka's life was determined.

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On September 14, a survey team was dispatched by the Navy. The heavy cruisers Tone and Chikuma from the 8th Cruiser Division were sent.

The Navy, without waiting for instructions from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, had already noticed unusual activity and had planned an investigation. The British had only shared the information about the disappearance of America with Matsuoka from the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, keeping it from others. Ambassador Craigie had spoken to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and military attachés had shared information with the Navy. Additionally, various connections, including the trading companies and former ambassador to the UK, Shigeru Yoshida, had been used to send the information to Japan. Some dismissed it as absurd, while others took it seriously.

The Navy decided they needed to verify the information themselves and ordered the 8th Cruiser Division to deploy. The Tone and Chikuma, stationed in Maizuru facing the Sea of Japan, had been spared from the tsunami damage that came from across the Pacific Ocean. However, ports such as Yokosuka facing the Pacific and Kure in the Seto Inland Sea had suffered damage due to delayed evacuation from their ports.

The Tone-class heavy cruisers were equipped with six seaplanes, giving them superior reconnaissance capabilities. Additionally, they were fast, traveling at 18 knots and with a range of 8.000 nautical miles. They could reach the American mainland without needing to refuel. While an oil tanker was prepared for the return journey, the two ships were urgently dispatched first. The 8th Cruiser Division had originally been scheduled to be sent to Hainan Island by September, and because preparations were already in place, it was selected as the survey fleet.

Meanwhile, preparations for an investigation of America were underway on the northernmost island of the Kuril Islands, Paramushir. An airfield was being built in a rush job.

The Navy's Mitsubishi G3M land attack bomber, known for its long operational range and famous for its "overseas bombing" missions to places like Shanghai, would be used. These planes would be equipped with additional fuel tanks and would conduct the investigation using the transport variant of the G3Ms, which were stripped of armament. The same type of aircraft, the "Nippon," had flown around the world, and at that time, it made a non-stop flight from Nemuro to Nome in Alaska. Given that Paramushir was closer to Alaska, a round-trip flight would be possible.

On September 15, the decision was made to postpone the Imperial Conference to decide the pros and cons of the Tripartite Pact between Japan, Germany, and Italy. This was because the results of the investigation had to be reviewed first.

On September 20, two G3M transport planes arrived at Paramushir and took off on the 21st after refueling. They flew over the Aleutian Islands. They confirmed the presence of Akutan Island, but were stunned to discover that everything east of it had disappeared. The landmass of Alaska itself was nowhere to be found.

On the same day, the 8th Cruiser Division arrived off the coast of Seattle. They raised the flag signaling their intent to dock and sent out a wireless message requesting permission to enter. However, the communication was swallowed by empty space, and there was no response. The Tone and Chikuma launched all their seaplanes. If the United States existed in that area, this would be considered a violation of their airspace and would result in being shot down. But no matter how far the reconnaissance planes flew, they could not find any land.

Both the northern G3M transport planes and the 8th Cruiser Division from the homeland sent the same report to Tokyo: "We cannot confirm the presence of the American continent. While continuing the investigation, it is judged that the possibility of its disappearance is extremely high."

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The report of the disappearance of North America spread throughout Japan via the newspapers. During this time, countries around the world were also reporting the incredible fact that North America had vanished. The world was shaken.

Japan had been in conflict with the United States over China's interests. There had been several instances of embargoes imposed on Japan. There had also been restrictions such as the exclusion of Japanese immigrants' law. Though Japan had signed a non-aggression pact, the US was considered the Navy's hypothetical enemy.

However, most Japanese people did not rejoice at the disappearance of America. They visited shrines and offered prayer tablets wishing for the safety of many Americans. While the newspapers reported that America had been struck by divine retribution, the citizens prayed for the safety of a potential future enemy.

Meanwhile, in Germany, celebratory toasts were being made. The United States had been a supporter of the United Kingdom. To pressure Britain, sinking the merchant ships carried by America was the quickest way. The battleships and U-boats sent to the Atlantic were deployed for this reason. The military alliance with Japan was also motivated by the desire to threaten America from behind and prevent its entry on the side of Britain. Now, America had vanished. Britain's support was gone.

Now, Germany could win against Britain!

In the midst of the Battle of Britain, Luftwaffe Chief Hermann Göring and others were hosting parties, happily drunk. The more ascetic and nervous Führer Adolf Hitler did not engage in such revelry.

However, he too hoped: 'Now, the war with Britain, who are of the same Aryan race, might end.'

The main focus for Germany was the communist state of the Soviet Union. Hitler wanted to quickly resolve the Western Front and focus on fighting the Soviet Union. His goal was to expand Germany's Lebensraum (living space) to the east.

Regarding the now-irrelevant Tripartite Pact between Japan, Germany, and Italy, Hitler was more than willing to accept Japan's request for a postponement of its signing. There had also been mysterious tsunami damage to France's Atlantic coast, so there was no reason to refuse Japan's offer.

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Amidst all this, with countries focused only on their political and economic goals, it was an English fisherman who first noticed the anomaly. Despite the dangers of submarines and disguised cruisers lurking in the waters due to the war, fishermen had to fish to survive. Because of German commerce raiding, fishing was also crucial for securing food. However, the fishing was poor. The catch was nonexistent in the Dogger Bank, which was famous for its rich fishing grounds.

"This is strange. I've never seen it this bad before."

Meanwhile, fishermen in Spain and Portugal also noticed that they were catching fish farther south than usual. The disappearance of North America created a connection between the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. This was the first sign of Europe's crisis due to the disappearance of the Gulf Stream and the North Atlantic Current.

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An update will be posted at midnight on the date.

- ほうこうおんち