This plan might not be flawless, but for Watanabe, it was the best option under the current circumstances. Why? Because according to his plan, as long as the person he sent to pose as a student could build a solid relationship with Alexis within the next two months, they could then lure her out of New York under the pretense of an invitation to spend the New Year holiday in Hawaii. Once Alexis set foot in Hawaii, the mission would essentially be complete.
Hawaii, after all, had a substantial population of Asian Americans, particularly Japanese Americans. Finding an operative from their country's Cabinet Intelligence and Research Office in Honolulu would be effortless. And although Hawaii is part of the United States, Japanese influence there is significant. If Alexis were successfully lured there under the guise of a vacation, once she landed in Honolulu, Castle's reach would be effectively nullified.
Watanabe Taro's plan bore some resemblance to the Rocksat Organization's earlier plot to abduct Alexis and use her as leverage to force Castle into surrendering his technological secrets. However, after meticulously studying Castle's influence in New York and the U.S. at large, Watanabe refined his strategy to a degree that set it apart. Instead of a direct abduction within the U.S., Watanabe decided to first remove Alexis from New York or the mainland entirely before executing his plan.
Why not target Northrup-Grumman or DuPont, the companies that held those technologies? The answer was simple: neither Watanabe nor his semi-colonial military-industrial complex could afford to provoke such behemoths. Even targeting Castle in New York was a non-starter, as the CIA's disastrous attempt to kidnap Alexis had already proven. Castle had turned the tables and humiliated them thoroughly.
This is why Watanabe looked down on the CIA. Their plans were laughably crude compared to his. While they went for a straightforward snatch-and-grab, his plan involved carefully orchestrated psychological manipulation: sending a peer to befriend Alexis, then using that bond to lure her away under a harmless pretext. Once in Hawaii, far from Castle's sphere of influence, she would be entirely at their mercy.
Initially, Watanabe's interest in Castle's creations had been limited to the formula for the next-generation high-explosives. He wanted to secure it before the U.S. Congress realized its value. However, Castle's refusal to cooperate ignited Watanabe's suppressed violent tendencies. Now, if he was going to act, he wanted it all. In addition to the explosive formula, he now desired the groundbreaking semi-autonomous flight control systems Castle had designed for Northrup.
Japan's military-industrial aspirations, especially since the Meiji Restoration, had long mirrored those of their European mentor, Britain. Both nations were island powers with parliamentary systems and significant navies. However, unlike Britain, Japan lacked the geopolitical leverage to exploit rivalries among continental neighbors. Europe's intricate web of conflicts allowed Britain to play the "balance of power" game, stirring political rivalries for its gain. Asia, however, offered no such opportunities. Neighboring powers like Korea, Russia, and the fragmented China of the warlord era did not present the same dynamics.
Japan did have a fleeting moment of glory following its victory in the Russo-Japanese War. Their defeat of Russia and capture of key territories, such as Port Arthur, enabled them to extract substantial resources from a then-fractured China. However, after World War II, Japan was thoroughly humbled, subjected to American occupation, and dominated by figures like Douglas MacArthur, a man more adept at acting than governing. To this day, Japan remains host to a significant U.S. military presence, including naval assets in Sasebo and other bases.
The abuses committed by U.S. forces over the decades, along with economic humiliations like the Plaza Accord in the 1980s, have left deep scars in Japan's national psyche. Once dreaming of "buying America" during its economic peak, Japan was swiftly brought to heel by the Reagan administration's calculated moves.
Despite harboring resentment toward the U.S., Japan has little choice but to comply due to the geopolitical realities of the region. Hostile neighbors like North Korea and lingering tensions with South Korea leave Japan reliant on the U.S. for security. Without American troops, conflicts would likely erupt almost immediately.
Against this backdrop, Watanabe maintained an outwardly humble demeanor while interacting with U.S. legislators, but internally he saw himself as a modern-day samurai, drawing inspiration from figures like the Chinese historical hero Goujian, who endured great hardship to achieve ultimate victory.
U.S. lawmakers, preoccupied with internal political battles, remained oblivious to Japan's true intentions, readily approving most of Watanabe's arms requests. Excluded from these approvals were certain advanced technologies like the B-2 bomber, Northrup's cutting-edge drones, and the SR-91 "Aurora." However, even these concessions didn't prevent Watanabe from obtaining four downgraded F-22 "Raptor" jets, a significant achievement facilitated by Lockheed Martin's aggressive lobbying.
Lockheed Martin's desperation to sell the F-22 stemmed from its financial struggles. The U.S. government had initially promised a purchase of over 400 units but scaled back drastically due to budget constraints, ultimately acquiring only 180 units. Lockheed Martin's financial losses were substantial, prompting them to push for export sales despite the Pentagon's reluctance.
Having secured these jets, Watanabe grew increasingly emboldened. He understood that the U.S. government's willingness to arm Japan was driven by their desire to use the country as a counterbalance in Asia. This knowledge reinforced his belief that Japan remained valuable to the U.S., giving him the confidence to act against Castle. With Washington's tacit support, Watanabe saw this as the perfect opportunity to acquire Castle's prized technologies and further Japan's ambitions.
(End of Chapter)
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