Government would like to recieve detailed information on the status of the retrofitting process concerning the old battleships of Meiji class.
Furthermore, you are hereby authorized to start the preparations of the operation "Sakoku"
and send representatives to Rheinland for possible joint cooperation in this operation.
Signed
Minsiter of Defence Kirihara Misaki
Republic of Kusari
Ohayou Minister Kirihara, the following are the results of reports from my closest officers.
After complete surveys of the Iwo Jima cloud we managed to recover seventeen hulls of Meiji class battleships that we were using as test targets. Unfortunately only eleven were still intact and could be used for retrofitting. In the last five months we managed to launch all eleven battleships after their required modernisation.
We reinforced all battleships with extra support structures to the stabilizing fins as it seemed this was the main/the primary reason for their decommissioning.
Four of them were slightly modified and turned into carriers. To make more room for fighters inside the structure we removed some internal armour plating. They are now slightly less armoured, but still very well armed and possess an even bigger threat to battle groups without a serious fighter escort .
Furthermore another seven were turned into heavily armed and armoured battleships. We managed to install additional armour plating on some external points and improved the scanner systems on all of them. In balance they now lack manoeuvrability but make up for their blitzing abilities with their effectiveness of controlling an area through persistent fire and threat.
Upon finishing the retrofitting of old battleships we are now starting to work on more of the new Sekigahara class vessels.
As for operation Sakoku, the officer I would have elected has recently gone missing, and I request the governments aid for use of resources to recover my asset. I have already diverted my most trusted to search for Ryoma, but I would appreciate your help in acquiring civilian aid to divert, in an effort to widen the search net. In his absence I will send Kaisho Hagoromo Gitsune to take care of any necessary preparations and dialogue with Rheinland delegates.
[color=#FFFFFF]Bakuryō-chō taru Kaishō Takahashi,
Kusari Naval Forces.