Aki Samejima

Aki Samejima (鮫島 燦) is a General in the Imperial Akitsukunese Army. She is the current Akitsukunese delegate to the Global Threat Discussion Forum, with effect from May 2017. Samejima has attained global notability for her work in CoN humanitarian missions as well as fostering military cooperation between Akitsukuni and other nations, and is known endearingly in some impoverished areas and military circles as "Aki-sama". She is also the Head Public Relations and Liaison Officer of the Imperial Army.

Samejima is also a writer, and is the author of the bestselling fictional military thriller series Crane Ascendant and several science fiction short stories.

Early life
Samejima was born and raised in Itomori on Miyajima. Her father was Isao Samejima, a Master Sergeant in the Imperial Army who later lost his life in the 1987 Mountain War. During her youth, she was involved heavily in certain alternate history discussion groups and cultural activities, which according to her helped to foster a sense of appreciation for global culture and history that motivated her to lead Akitsukuni's later humanitarian efforts worldwide. In junior college, she participated in an international summit that involved youths from around the world in the creation of a constructed world where Gungjuns had carried out colonisation of the world.

Military career
Samejima joined the Army at the age of 18 and was selected for the officer track. She later studied at the Imperial Military Academy in Heian, which is mandatory for all Akitsukunese Armed Forces officers. Rising through the ranks as an Armour officer, Samejima was initially a part of the 4th Armoured Division before being transferred to the 2nd Imperial Guards Armoured Division.

Her first exposure to international peacekeeping and humanitarian missions would be in 1999 in the aftermath of the ___ Tsunami, when the Imperial Akitsukunese Army was sent in to help with relief efforts, attaining domestic and global recognition in her command of the Akitsukunese segment of the operation. Following this and her public popularity, she was transferred to the Public Relations and Liaison Office, from which she began to arrange and lead the Imperial Army's outreach programmes and meetings with other state militaries around the world.

Recently, Samejima has been appointed the Akitsukunese delegate to the Global Threat Discussion Forum, replacing Admiral Mamoru Mori.

Personal life
Samejima has been known to enjoy studying the history and culture of other nations. She also continues to participate in worldbuilding and other roleplaying activities online, and enjoys travelling in her free time. She is also a fan of anime.

She is also an avid writer, and has published several military journals, fictional military thrillers and science fiction books.

Awards and decorations
Domestic Awards
 * Distinguished Service Award: Operation Soaring Crane, Tsunami relief effort
 * Distinguished Service Award: Operation Guardian Shield, CoN Peacekeeping effort
 * Distinguished Service Award: Earthquake relief effort in ___.
 * Imperial Army Recognition Award: For good service to the Imperial Army
 * Imperial Military Long Service Award: 20 years in the Imperial Army
 * Cordon of the Greater Empire of Akitsukuni: For distinguished service to the nation
 * Empress Kayako Award: For exemplary behaviour and dedication the nation as an Akitsukunese citizen
 * Imperial Golden Katana: For good military service to the nation

International Awards