By late 2025, social division in the United States had deepened rapidly over intensified crackdowns on illegal immigration by ICE and conflicting views on Middle East policy—specifically support for Israel and a hardline stance against Iran. Conspiracy theories and extremist ideologies spread across social media, escalating the conflict between the left and right into violent incidents. As friction between state and federal governments surfaced, domestic stability in the U.S. began to crumble.

In October 2028, during the final stages of the presidential campaign, the Republican president was shot and killed by a second-generation Central American immigrant youth. Although the Democratic candidate won the subsequent election, Republican supporters and some conservative media outlets claimed the election was rigged. Protest demonstrations became militarized, leading to a series of attacks targeting immigrants and Democratic supporters, occupations of state legislatures, and bombings. Eventually, several states, primarily in the South and Midwest, declared non-compliance with the federal government, and parts of the National Guard defected. Armed clashes with federal forces broke out, escalating into what became known as the Second American Civil War.

Meanwhile, in East Asia, China's economy was stalling due to the collapse of the real estate bubble and youth unemployment. Public dissatisfaction was mounting as no progress had been made regarding unification with Taiwan, which the government maintained was an inseparable part of its territory. The CCP leadership saw the American Civil War as a golden opportunity to divert domestic discontent and unify Taiwan. They secretly ordered preparations for an invasion of Taiwan and the occupation of the Senkaku Islands. Now, in May 2029, a new conflict is about to begin.

JS Shigure (DD-121) Specifications

A heavily armed general-purpose destroyer (DD) built in haste to serve as an escort and direct guard for the Maritime Self-Defense Force's pride, the Aegis System Equipped Vessel (ASEV). Based on the hulls of the Asahi and Akizuki classes, the hull was significantly lengthened and enlarged to accommodate an increased VLS capacity and two helicopters. A hybrid of the Asahi and Akizuki classes, this new vessel combines high-level anti-submarine (periscope detection) and anti-air (air defense) capabilities.

Main Specifications

• Ship Type: General-Purpose Destroyer (DD)
• Commissioned: September 7, 2028
• Displacement: Standard: approx. 5,800 tons / Full Load: approx. 7,200 tons
• Dimensions: Length: 162m / Beam: 18.4m / Depth: 11.0m
• Max Speed: 30+ knots (Gas Turbine drive)
• Crew: Approx. 110 (Highly automated + increased damage control and electronic warfare personnel)
• Propulsion: COGLAG (Combined Gas Turbine Electric and Gas Turbine) / 2x Gas Turbines, 1x Generation Gas Turbine, 2x Propulsion Motors
• Sensors:
  • Air Search Radar: FCS-3A Kai / OPY-1 (Updated) (Multi-target simultaneous engagement)
  • Surface Search Radar: OPS-48 (Automatic periscope/snorkel detection)
  • Sonar: OQQ-24 (Bow sonar & VDS/TASS variable depth sonar linkage)
• Armament:
  • VLS: Mk.41 VLS x 96 cells (64 forward / 32 aft)
  • Air Defense: ESSM (4 per cell, primarily aft) / SM-2MR / SM-6 Block I
  • Anti-Submarine: Type 07 Vertical Launch Anti-Submarine Rocket (VLA) / HOS-303 Triple Torpedo Tubes x 2
  • Main Gun: 5-inch/62 caliber Mk.45 Mod 4 x 1
  • Anti-Ship: Type 17 Anti-Ship Missile (SSM-2) 4-cell launchers x 2
  • CIWS: 20mm Phalanx x 2
• Aircraft: SH-60K Patrol Helicopter x 2
• Hangar: Independent double hangar (2x RSD recovery systems)