Sakushi

Sakushi (: 朔志), officially the Republic of Sakushi (Cheonja: 朔志民國, Sak'ushi Minkok) is a nation in central Bangju, within the cultural spheres of Aenusphere and Sinju. It borders Wamu to the north while facing the East Sea to its west. Sakushi is divided into 8 administrative divisions comprising 6 provinces (州), the Koipikan Prefecture (浪速府) and the Kiohin Metropolis (京濱都).

Sakushi was first settled by Aenuic migrants from Wamu in search of warmer lands. Later around X CE Fusenic migrants arrived introducing advanced agricultural and artisanal techniques, but also competition and conflict, which ended with the admixture of the Fusenic and Aenuic peoples through intermarriage. A culture and language distinct from Wamu formed, leading to the establishment of a confederation of feudal clans in 1453 to assert common interests. Then, with Fusenese imperial expansion into Bangju in the 16th century the Sakushin Confederation broke away from Wamu, aligning with Fusen. This lasted until the late 17th century when the Fusen-led coalition including Sakushi was defeated in the Bonghwang Wars by the Jeongmi-led coalition. Subsequently Sakushi fell behind the rest of Sinju in and was subject to many unequal treaties by the Sinjuan industrial powers, while Sakushin national identity was emerging. ideas spread to Sakushi through Fusen and Sakushins grew discontent with deteriorating conditions, starting the War of Sakushin Unification in 1891 to overthrow the feudal confederation. The war ended in 1894 with the establishment of an unitary republic.

Today Sakushi is a and, with a high-income economy built on a balanced mix of industry and services. It is also an active participant in international diplomacy, as a member of the Congress of Nations and Sinju Union.

Etymology
Sakushi's name comes from the Aenuic words 'sak' (summer) and 'ushi' (place), describing how the lands of Sakushi were warmer than the lands of modern-day Wamu from which Aenuic settlers arrived.

Prehistoric to classical era
Sakushi is believed to have been first settled by Aenuic peoples migrating south from modern Wamu, in search of warmer lands. These Aenuic migrants primarily practiced alongside rudimentary, and lived in villages of around 5-10 households.

Around 200 CE Cheonjean traders arrived in Sakushi and found its inhabitants in much the same condition. They observed that villages appointed prominent males as chiefs or Kotankorkur (コタンコㇿクㇽ), who were responsible for leading religious rituals, mediating disputes, and representing the village to other villages. While Sakushi was not qualified to participate in the Cheonjean tributary trade system, there was considerable private trade with visiting Cheonjean traders, with Sakushi exchanging dried meat and seafood, furs, and wild herbs for alcohol, iron, lacquerware, silk and rice.

By 400 CE, under the influence of Cheonjean ideas of social class and centralisation, the villages throughout Sakushi had evolved into led by hereditary chieftains called Utarpa (ウタㇻパ) who controlled multiple villages. A rudimentary system of 3 social classes consisting of nobility, commoners, and slaves developed. Slaves known as Utare (ウタレ) were drawn from those who had committed serious crimes, or captives taken in battle. The chiefdoms routinely fought against each other over resources, but combat during this period was ritualistic and limited in duration and intensity, rarely resulting in the destruction of chiefdoms.

Around 800 CE the Aenuic peoples residing in modern Wamu united under the Kingdom of Iwankotan, and subjugated the chiefdoms of Sakushi as vassals. Iwankotan was a centralised, bureaucratic state in the mould of Cheonje that predominantly practiced agriculture. The Aenuic people of Sakushi continued to specialise in hunting-gathering to procure natural resources for trade with and tribute to Iwankotan.

From about X CE Fusenic migrants began to arrive on the coasts of Sakushi bringing with them advanced agricultural and artisanal techniques, such as wet rice cultivation and iron smelting. This created competition with the Aenuic people for resources and thus conflict, which ended with the admixture of the Aenuic and Fusenic peoples through intermarriage. These Aenuic-Fusenic people shifted to agriculture as the primary means of subsistence while continuing to practice some hunting-gathering, giving rise to an increase in village sizes to over 100 persons on average. During this period the first towns also developed along the coast and at the confluence of rivers, where distinct classes of and  specialising in the processing of raw resources and trade respectively emerged.

Confederal era
Admixture with Fusenic people and Fusenic cultural influence led to the development of a culture and language distinct from the rest of Wamu. Coupled with the increasing population and strength of Sakushi, this led to demands for greater recognition from the early 14th century onwards. In response Wamu appointed prominent chieftains of Sakushi as dukes (公), granting them recognition and support to rule over other chieftains, who came to be known as marquises (侯).

Subsequently 3 of the dukes formed the Sakushin Confederation in 1453 to facilitate their common interests in trade and security. The confederation expanded through diplomacy and warfare to include 6 duchies by 1515. As the Fusenese Empire expanded into Bangju in the 16th century, the Sakushin Confederation obtained formal independence from Wamu with Fusenese support, gaining territory from Wamu in the process. Sakushi was to be a close ally of Fusen from then on, until the defeat of the Fusen-led coalition including Sakushi by the Jeongmi-led coalition in the Bonghwang Wars between 1640-1680. The wars ended Fusenese influence in Bangju, and saw Sakushi cede most of the territories that it had gained during Fusenese imperial expansion to its neighbours.

By the mid 19th century Sakushi had fallen behind central Sinju, with the nobility divided as to how they should react to. Many marquises advocated for modernisation by imitating the Sinjuan industrial powers, while most dukes were resistant as that would introduce democratic influence and undermine their authority. Thus Sakushi developed at a slow pace, and Sinjuan industrial powers imposed many unequal treaties upon it. Cheaper, machine-made goods flooded the market and the Sakushin economy slumped, while the dukes attempted to offset the shrinking tax base by raising taxes. Simultaneously, a Sakushin national identity began to develop with the expanding study of history and language in the region, coupled with the increased publication of Sakushin-language texts. ideas spread from Fusen to Sakushi and Sakushins became disgruntled with feudal rule, agitating for the establishment of an unitary republic. Numerous pro-modernisation marquises sided with the republican movement, while all but one of the dukes opposed them.

War of Sakushin Unification
Tensions came to a head on 16 Sibirwol 1891 with the outbreak of the War of Sakushin Unification. On 14 Sibirwol, the Duke of Kanup (上野公) intercepted communications between marquises from his domain and those from the neighbouring Duchy of Reppet (三川國), where republican sentiment was widespread. The communications suggested that these marquises were preparing to revolt, and on 15 Sibirwol the Duke of Kanup sent forces to capture the conspirators. The republican marquises put up fierce resistance as they understood that they would be severely punished, and fighting spread into Reppet. The Duke of Reppet had been relatively open to modernisation and sympathetic to the republicans, but hesitated to openly support them. His key advisors convinced him to do so, reasoning that he had now been identified with the republican movement and would soon be attacked by the other dukes. As such, on 16 Sibirwol he dispatched an army to assist the republicans against the Duchy of Kanup, inspiring republicans across Sakushi to rise in arms.

Modern era
In 1894 the last of the confederal lords surrendered to the republicans and a republic was promulgated on 15 Guwol, which is celebrated to this day as National Day (國庆日).

Sakushi's involvement in the Great Eulhae War began in X, when Sakushi jointly invaded Wamu with Fusen. Fusen sought to eliminate an independent state aligned to Jeongmi in its neighbourhood, while Sakushi sought to realise its territorial claims against Wamu. They partitioned the country, with Fusen entitled to most of Wamu while Sakushi was given a relatively small stretch of Wamu's south.

On 29 Siwol 1944 the Sakushin government adopted a new constitution espousing liberal democracy, in accordance to the terms of its settlement with the Allied powers. Freedom of expression, religion, and the press were enshrined. The office of the president which was seen as having had disproportionate influence was reduced to a ceremonial role with some custodial powers, turning Sakushi into a parliamentary republic.

Sakushi embarked on aggressive through  in the 50s, but economic growth remained sluggish till the 60s due to war damage and outstanding reparations to Wamu. The government promoted and  industry through preferential financing and tax incentives. Industries were rationalised through the encouragement of and  to achieve greater economies of scale, while  were set up to coordinate exports. along with energy and transport infrastructure were constructed at public expense. After Sakushi paid off reparations to Wamu in the 60s, the economy grew an average of 7% per year between 1970 and 2000 led by the industrial sector.

Geography
Sakushi has a total land area of 160,816 km2 including about 2,187km2 of water bodies, and straddles the 45th parallel north. It stretches over 650 km from Wamu in the north to X in the south. Terrain along the west coast is predominantly flat, the interior to the east is mountainous, and the northeast is dominated by the Urardai Plateau (霞臺高原).

Climate
The climate of Sakushi is temperate; most of the country has an with warm summers, while winters are cool and damp. Mountainous areas have a with short and cool summers, while winters are very cold and snowy. Inland areas tend to be drier than coastal areas, particularly in summer.

Environment
In the aftermath of the Great Eulhae War Sakushi focused on economic recovery and experienced a period of rapid growth, during which environmental issues were neglected by the government. Worsening pollution and increasing pluralism in politics led to a stronger emphasis on environmental regulation from the 80s onwards, with Sakushi today having some of the most extensive environmental protections in Sinju. Notably, about one-third of Sakushi's land area is designated as (國家公園) with restrictions on access and use to ensure their preservation. Currently, major environmental issues include, , and.

Since the introduction of nuclear power in 1993 nuclear power plants have progressively replaced coal-fired ones, with the country completely phasing out coal by 2016. Subsequently Sakushi aims to achieve carbon neutrality by 2044, on the 150th anniversary of the country's founding.

Politics
Sakushi has been an unitary state and parliamentary republic since its latest constitution of 29 Siwol 1944. The bicameral Parliament (國會) is composed of an upper House of Elders (元老院) with 51 seats based on, and a lower House of Representatives (衆議院) with 339 seats based on geographic constituencies. Both houses are elected by vote for 5-year terms, with universal suffrage for all citizens 20 years of age and above subject to household tax contribution requirements.

Legislative power is largely vested in the House of Representatives, with the House of Elders having limited custodial powers. The upper house cannot initiate legislation but may veto legislation (except those pertaining to budget or international treaties), sending them back to the lower house where it must gain a two-thirds majority to be passed. Amendments to the constitution require majority approval by the electorate through a in addition to passage in Parliament. Citizens may also introduce legislation through an provided that they gain the support of at least 2.5% of the electorate, upon which Parliament is obliged to debate and vote on it.

Executive power is held by the Department of State Affairs (國務省) which is led by the head of government, the Prime Minister (総理). The Prime Minister, currently Kinatuipa Oupekapinne (草刈 正雄) is appointed by the head of state, the President (元首) on the advice of the House of Representatives. According to the constitution, the President is to appoint the candidate whom they consider most likely to secure majority support, rather than the candidate with the most recommendations. The President, currently Tumtatni Taisan (武樺 泰山) is elected by the House of Elders for a lifetime term. The office is mostly ceremonial with limited custodial powers.

Political culture
Sakushi has a tradition of which developed in the turbulent first half of the 20th century, when the government sought unity between labour and industry to improve its military-industrial capacity. Representatives of government,, and regularly meet to discuss policy, business plans, and labour relations. Contemporarily, the relatively high at around 65% and low incidence of  have been attributed to tripartism.

The Constitutional Democratic Party (立憲民主黨, commonly abbreviated to 立民黨) has been since its foundation in 1949, winning all but 3 national elections since. It is a and  party accommodating factions whose positions vary from centre-left to right-wing. The balance of power between factions has continuously shifted according to electoral performance. This flexibility and strong networks have been credited for the party's enduring success. Nevertheless, Sakushin politics has become more pluralistic since the 90s, with the Constitutional Democratic Party increasingly reliant on support from other parties.

Major opposition parties include the Democratic Progressive Party (民主進步黨, commonly abbreviated to 民進黨) and Sakushi Reform Association (朔志革新会, commonly abbreviated to 革新会). The former is a party with substantial support in cities, while the latter is a  and  party strong in Koipikan and Hepuniosmak Province (栄後州).

Administrative divisions
Sakushi is divided into 8 administrative divisions, comprising 6 provinces, the Koipikan Prefecture, and the Kiohin Metropolis, each of which is overseen by an elected Governor (知事) and Assembly (議會). The provinces are further divided into a total of 7 special cities (特別市), 35 cities (市), and 59 counties (郡), while the prefecture and metropolis are further divided into a total of 29 special wards (特別区).

Alternatively Sakushi can also be divided into the 3 geographic regions of North Sakushi, East Sakushi, and South Sakushi respectively. These regions do not have official status outside of the judicial system, which has a High Court serving each of these regions. The government unofficially uses these regions for some statistical, geographic and meteorological purposes.

Foreign relations and military
Sakushi has been a member of the Congress of Nations since X, and the Sinju Union since X. Its foreign relations have been characterised by since the end of the Great Eulhae War, while the Sakushin economy has continuously grown more open and dependent on international trade. According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (外交部), the three guiding principles of Sakushin foreign policy are: upholding international law, promoting international cooperation, and supporting peace throughout the world.

Sakushi has maintained a policy of since 1944, and does not participate in  or interstate conflicts. It maintains a military capable of independently potential threats. Historically, armed neutrality was supported by for all fit males over the age of 20. As the security environment in Bangju grew more benign, conscription obligations were reduced in X, before being suspended in X.

The country's military, the Sakushi National Armed Forces (朔志國軍), is currently an all-volunteer force composed of four branches, in order of seniority:
 * Sakushi Army (朔志陸軍)
 * Sakushi Navy (朔志海軍)
 * Sakushi Air Force (朔志空軍)
 * Sakushi Cyber Force (朔志網軍)

Sakushi's military employs about 63,000 active and 12,000 reserve military personnel, and is actively involved in around the world, including anti-piracy, counter-terrorism, humanitarian assistance, and peacekeeping. The nominal Commander-in-Chief of the military is the President, while the de facto commander is the Minister of Defence (國防部長). Military expenditure in 2020 was about $9.136 billion or 2.3% of GDP.

Law and enforcement
Domestic security is provided by the Sakushi National Police (朔志國家警察), which is overseen by the Ministry of Internal Affairs (内務部). At sea, a component of the Sakushi National Police, the Maritime Security Bureau (海安局) is responsible for law enforcement in the country's and. As of 2020 general rates of crime were low relative to the rest of the world, and rates of violent crime such as murder, robbery, and sexual assault very low.

Organised crime has been significant since the end of the Great Eulhae War, when membership in criminal organisations sharply increased due to high unemployment. In 2020 there were an estimated 8,300 members of criminal organisations, with revenues amounting to around 1% of GDP.

The Firearms Regulatory Law (銃器管制法) restricts civilian ownership of firearms, banning automatic firearms and limiting the ownership of short firearms such as pistols to security companies or shooting clubs. Residents who are at least 20 years of age with no criminal record or serious mental illness may obtain a license to own up to 5 shotguns. After 5 years of shotgun ownership, they may further own up to 5 rifles.

The Narcotics Countermeasures Law (麻薬対策法) strictly prohibits the cultivation, dealing, import, and export of drugs, with harsh penalties comparable to those for violent crimes. The possession or consumption of drugs is not illegal, with drug abuse regarded as a health problem and abusers encouraged to seek treatment. In practice, the legality of drug possession has made it easier for drug producers and traffickers to avoid prosecution, making Sakushi a hub for such activities.

Economy
As of 2020, Sakushi's high-income was the 51st largest in the world in terms of nominal GDP, and the 58th largest in terms of PPP GDP. Sakushi had a labour force of about 9.369 million workers, and a low unemployment rate of 3.43%. Around 10.4% of the population was in in 2020. Distinctive characteristics of Sakushin capitalism include strong unions, the prevalence of strategic alliances and export cartels in manufacturing, and the high proportion of agricultural, fishery, and consumer. About 68% of workers were unionised, and an estimated 31% of the population were members of a cooperative.

The Sakushin economy is highly internationalised, with exports and imports making up 60.4% and 54.6% of GDP respectively in 2020. Top exports are electrical machinery, industrial machinery, oil and mineral fuels, plastics, and iron and steel, while top imports are electrical machinery, industrial machinery, oil and mineral fuels, precision instruments, and motor vehicles and parts. Major trading partners include Basanreseri, Fusen, Jeongmi, Kaisa, Kinshū, Meisaan, and Wamu.

The currency of Sakushi is the Sakushin En (朔志圓) issued by the country's central bank, the Bank of Sakushi (朔志銀行). It is kept on a within an undisclosed range, to maintain the stability of the highly trade-dependent Sakushin economy.

Primary sector
Sakushi's accounted for 2.3% of GDP and 6.0% of employment in 2020. It is dominated by the agriculture and fishery subsectors, which are mostly composed of cooperatives at the locality level. The government incentivises the formation of cooperatives, which allow farmers and fishermen to achieve economies of scale in purchasing supplies and making investments. The sector is also well-supported by government grants to insulate it from shocks and encourage investment in enhancing productivity, with the goal of maintaining a degree of food self-sufficiency. On a calorie basis, Sakushi had a food self-sufficiency rate of 48% in 2020.

Secondary sector
The Sakushin made up 38.5% of GDP and 32.3% of employment in 2020. It is dominated by the manufacturing subsector which made up 31.4% of GDP alone, and is known for the production of consumer electronics, semiconductors, machinery, pharmaceuticals, railway vehicles and components, and firearms. A majority of companies in manufacturing participate in strategic alliances, typically centred around an end product manufacturer with its suppliers to increase intragroup efficiency. Export cartels are also widespread, sharing the costs of exporting and maintaining common standards of quality.

Tertiary sector
In 2020, the made up 59.2% of GDP and 61.7% of employment in Sakushi. Major subsectors are banking, insurance, retail, telecommunications, tourism, and transportation. are common, providing credit, household goods, housing, insurance, and medicine at near cost.

Sakushi attracted about 10.196 million international tourists in 2020, with the top countries of origin being Fusen, Jeongmi, and Kaisa. Relative to those countries, Sakushi has a slower pace of life, more temperate climate, and weaker currency.

Science and technology
Throughout 2020 Sakushi had about 78,000 researchers with over $15.448 billion in funding, who filed 5,508 patent applications. The government encourages private sector investment in research and development through the provision of credit, grants, and tax incentives.

The National Space Agency (國家宇航庁), supervised by the Ministry of Science and Technology (科技部) administers the Sakushin space program. It has sent 12 satellites into orbit since 1999, all of which were launched abroad. Currently 9 of these satellites are operational, comprising 3 communications satellites and 6 earth observation satellites. The government is considering the construction of a domestic, and had put out a in 2020 to assess potential options.

Taxation
The Sakushin government's tax revenue (including social contributions) stood at 21.7% of GDP in 2020, with taxes collected at the national and provincial, prefectural, or metropolitan levels. , and  taxes at the national level are the largest sources of tax revenue. Corporate tax is a flat 20% and income tax is, varying from 2% to 22% while value-added tax is a flat 5%. At the provincial, prefectural, or metropolitan level the largest source of tax revenue is, at 2.5% of the unimproved value of land per annum. The country is notable for not having or  taxes, and also for having a. A tax of 0.01% to 0.1% is levied upon the sale of designated financial instruments held for less than 30 days.

Additionally, all residents are required to deposit 10% of their monthly income into the pension Public Savings Fund (公共貯蓄基金). The fund invests in bonds issued by the nation's, the Sakushi Investment Corporation (朔志投資公社), and the profits accrue in full to the account holders. Upon reaching a certain age between 55-65 (depending on one's sex and year of birth), they may withdraw a lump sum with the remainder paid out in monthly instalments. Residents who emigrate from Sakushi are also able to close their accounts and retrieve the full sum within.

Energy
In 2020 Sakushi consumed 111,288 gWh of electricity, amounting to an average of 5,384 kWh per person. Sakushi produced 119,327 gWh of electricity throughout 2020, of which 67.5% was produced by nuclear power, 18.3% by hydropower, 9.2% by fossil fuels, and 4.0% by renewables excluding hydropower. Sakushi has no fossil fuel reserves making it dependent on imported fuel. This drove its adoption of nuclear power from 1993 onwards to insulate itself from the volatility of oil, alongside a desire to shift away from fossil fuels due to growing emission concerns.

The distribution of electric power is a monopoly under the Sakushi Electric Power Corporation (朔志電力公社) which purchases power directly from electricity producers. Its nuclear power sector has one of the highest shares of national electricity generation in the world, and is entirely owned by the Sakushi Atomic Energy Company (朔志原子力株式會社) which is in turn majority-owned by the Sakushi Electric Power Corporation. Other forms of power generation are privatised, with the hydropower and fossil fuels markets dominated by 2 oligopolistic companies in the north and south respectively, while the renewables excluding hydropower market is highly competitive with numerous firms.

Transport
Sakushi's transport network is composed of air routes, highways, railways, and waterways. Due to the high share of rail transport, Sakushi's transport system is relatively energy-efficient, consuming less energy per person or unit mass than many other countries.

Air transport is the preferred means of international travel but is not widely used for domestic travel. The medium size of the country makes domestic air transport uncompetitive with, which is almost as fast but cheaper. As such, Sakushi has relatively few airports at just 30. Kiohin International Airport (京濱國際空港) in Reppet Province is the largest and busiest airport, recording over 12.166 million passengers in 2020. Other major airports include Ukotpet International Airport (合川國際空港) in Kiohin which recorded over 6.395 million passengers, and Koipikan International Airport (浪速國際空港) in Koipikan Prefecture which recorded over 4.615 million passengers.

The total length of the Sakushin highway network was 128,493 km in 2020, of which 2,548 km were. All expressways in operation today are, run by private companies on with the government. Cities and towns are served by, link different cities and towns, and feeder buses connect villages to towns. Intercity routes are privatised, while most transit and feeder routes are operated by local governments or their private contractors.

In 2020 Sakushi had 12,044 km of railway track. Rail is the preferred means of medium range transport in Sakushi, with railways linking cities and almost all towns. systems serve the 3 largest, where they are also the preferred means of short-range transport. The interregional, high-speed National Trunk Lines (國家幹線) are operated by the state-owned Sakushi High Speed Railways Corporation (朔志高鉄公社), rapid transit systems are operated by local governments, and railways are largely privatised.

Sakushi has 3,510 km of waterways, most of which are rivers. Its largest and busiest port is the Port of Pisoika (濱越港) which handled over 4.628 million TEUs in 2020, making it the world's 41st busiest port.

Water
As at 2020 access to and  were almost universal. 97.6% and 91.1% of the population were connected to public water supplies and sewerage respectively, with the remainder mostly using private, on-site systems. However, trust in tap water is comparatively low with about 65% of Sakushins drinking it. Prior to 1981 access to drinkable tap water was uncommon at less than 50%, and several water contamination incidents occurred in the 80s and 90s. As a result, many older Sakushins are sceptical about the safety of tap water.

Demographics
According to the Statistics Bureau (統計局) of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, Sakushi was estimated to have a population of 20,669,511 in 2020 of whom 1,098,437 were, making it the world's 71st most populous country. It also had a population density of 128 people per km2, making it the 67th most densely populated country. As of 2020 86.9% of the population lives in urban areas, with over 7.641 million or almost 37% living in Kiohin's metropolitan area.

Sakushi's government does not collect information on ethnicity, but based on and country of origin it is estimated that the 2020 population was 94.1% Sakushin, 3.1% Wamese, 1.6% X, and 1.2% other. The Wamese minority is concentrated in the north and the X minority in the south, while other minorities are predominantly foreign workers residing in major cities.

The (TFR) of Sakushi was slightly below replacement rate at 1.97 in 2020, a decline of 0.01 from the previous year. TFR has been stable since the 2010s at between 1.9 and 2.0, and is relatively high among developed countries. The high degree of work-life balance, generous subsidies for parents, and availability of quality part-time jobs have been cited as possible reasons.

Education
Sakushi's current system of elementary schools (小学校), junior high schools (中学校), vocational schools (専門学校), senior high schools (高等学校), and universities (大学) was introduced after the 1950 education reforms. All children are required to attend 9 years of free basic education, comprising 6 years of elementary school and 3 years of junior high school. 2 years of pre-school prior to elementary school are optional, but widely seen as integral to basic education today due to government subsidisation and encouragement. The vast majority of junior high school graduates go on to attend 2-4 years of vocational school or 3 years of senior high school, both of which are heavily subsidised. The former prepares students to take up a skilled trade with the prospect of pursuing applied studies in university, while the later is purely academic and prepares students for university. As of 2020, the highest educational attainment of 25-34 year olds in Sakushi is approximately 30% university and 60% vocational school. Relative to other developed countries the rate of university attendance is low and the rate of vocational school attendance high, reflecting the country's balanced view of academic and vocational education, and the competitive job prospects of vocational education.

is uncommon, with the only compulsory standardised test being the Junior High School Completion Examinations (中学校修了試験) at the end of junior high school, which determines the eligibility of students to enter different vocational schools or senior high schools. Students wishing to enter university must also take the University Entrance Examinations (大学入学試験) to determine their eligibility for different courses in different universities.

Health
Sakushi has a  system, provided through the National Health Insurance (國家健康保険). The National Health Insurance is primarily funded by compulsory monthly contributions from all residents, and supplemented by revenue from alcohol and tobacco taxes. It covers around 65-85% of the cost of most healthcare services depending on how frequently utilised and costly they are, and excludes new and high-cost technologies or treatment for rare diseases.

Healthcare is delivered through a combination of hospitals and clinics, most of which are private. Public hospitals are established to ensure sufficient capacity for emergency, intensive, obstetric, and paediatric medicine, while public clinics are established in rural areas to ensure access to general care. In 2020 Sakushi had 3.0 physicians for every 1000 residents.

As at 2020 the average life expectancy at birth was 70.4 years, with women averaging 73.3 years and men averaging 68.4 years. This is relatively low compared to other developed countries, and has been attributed to the high prevalence of drinking and smoking among the Sakushin population, limited national health insurance coverage for cancers and heart disease, and low availability of advanced treatments for them.

Language
Sakushin is the national language of Sakushi and is known domestically as the Kokgo (國語), meaning 'national language'. It is a member of the language family, alongside Wamese and Seriyedang. The official scripts of Sakushin are Cheonja and, with a combination of both being the most common today, even though Sakushin was initially written in Cheonja only.

has a co-official status, and can be found alongside Sakushin on public signages, and in publications for international consumption. It is also taught from elementary school onwards, with the majority of Sakushins today having at least professional working proficiency.

Wamese and X are recognised regional languages in parts of the north and south, where their speakers are concentrated. There local governments use the languages alongside Sakushin to communicate and provide government services.

Religion
The Sakushi government does not collect information on religion, but it is believed most Sakushins practice Kamuiru (神道), a syncretic mix of Aenuic folk religion and Nichido, with a large minority also practicing. Aenuic folk religion and Nichido are both and, rooted in the belief that supernatural beings known as Kamui (神) in Sakushin inhabit all things. Kamui from Aenuic folk religion are believed to be inherently good or evil, whereas Kamui from Nichido are believed to be neither good nor evil. Kamui were solely worshipped through rituals in Aenuic folk religion, but the influence of Nichido which uses both shrines and rituals for worship led to the introduction of shrines worshipping Kamui from Aenuic folk religion as well. Today the distinctions between Aenuic folk religion and Nichido are weak, with some similar Kamui from both religions combined, and shrines or rituals simultaneously worshipping Kamui from both traditions common.

is guaranteed by the latest constitution of 1944, giving individuals the right to profess, propagate, and practise their religion. In practice any association of 10 or more persons must be registered with the government, which has been known to reject applications from religious groups deemed incompatible with the prevailing religions of Kamuiru and Buddhism. religious groups are often rejected on these grounds, and participating in the activities of an unregistered association is illegal.

Culture
Contemporary Sakushin culture combines Aenuic and Sinjuan influences, in particular from Cheonje, Fusen, Jeongmi, and Meisaan. An unique indigenous culture first emerged in Sakushi between X and 1300 CE, when Fusenese migrants settled in Sakushi and intermixed with the Aenuic natives.

Architecture
Sakushi's tumultuous history saw repeated destruction and reconstruction between the late 19th century and mid 20th century, leading to an eclectic combination of architectural styles.

Traditional Sakushin architecture is characterised by elevated floors and the use of wood and plaster as the primary materials, but displays a class dichotomy in roofing. Upper class architecture typically features elaborate Cheonjean style curved tiled roofs, while lower class architecture uses thatched roofs. Today, traditional architecture of the upper class variety can still be commonly found in cities and towns, usually in the form of preserved districts or streets. Lower class traditional architecture on the other hand is less well preserved, and can only be found on a few heritage sites.

Sakushin cities and towns exhibit a relatively low concentration of and  respectively, due to laws protecting the 'right to sunshine'. These laws restrict the height and shape of new buildings to ensure that existing properties continue to receive adequate sunlight, although property owners can trade these rights for compensation. An effect of these laws is the prevalence of high-rise buildings built on the eastern edge of large plots of land, so that they mostly only encroach upon the sunshine rights of other buildings in the same plot.

Art
Historically, Sakushin art has been due to the belief that realistic depictions of things possess a Kamui, with the potential to become malevolent if not carefully managed. With increasing exposure to foreign and decreasing faith in traditional beliefs from the late 19th century onwards, realism has become an established part of the modern Sakushin art scene. Today, the vast majority of Sakushins are open to consuming realistic art, although some still have reservations about displaying realistic art on their properties.

Prominent Sakushin traditional arts include crafts such as blades, wood-carving, and textiles, performances of dance, storytelling, and theatre as well as practices of flower arrangement and martial arts. Contemporarily has been popular since its introduction from X in the early 20th century, with a sizeable domestic manga industry emerging in the mid 20th century to meet the local population's demand for manga that expressed Sakushin culture.

Cuisine
Traditional Sakushin cuisine combines the influences of Aenuic hunting-gathering with Fusenese agriculture, with a typical meal pairing staple food in the form of rice or wheat with Ohau (オハウ), an Aenuic hot pot dish. Ohau consists of fish, meat, and/or vegetables simmered in a pot of soup stock, and the evolution of its ingredients between the Xth and 14th centuries illustrates the transition from hunting-gathering to agriculture. The use of meat in general decreased as the population rapidly increased while hunting declined. Farmed meat, mainly chicken and pork largely replaced game meat like bear and deer, which became an occasional delicacy. Seasoning shifted away from the use of animal oils and fats to fermented condiments such as and. Subsequently, with the advent of Ohau was developed into "fast" Ohau (即席オハウ, commonly abbreviated to 即オ), where large pots of pre-cooked Ohau are kept on low heat, and single portions scooped out on demand.

and have been popular in Sakushi since their introduction from Fusen, while Aenuic people have traditionally used Tatniwakka (樺漿), the sap of  trees as a beverage and sweetener. With the transition to agriculture, this practice not only survived but expanded with the cultivation of birch for its useful timber. Sake production techniques also inspired the creation of Tatniwakka wine (樺漿酒, commonly abbreviated to 樺酒) in the late 10th century, where birch sap was mixed with flavourings and left to ferment. Tatniwakka wine is known for its refreshing and slightly sweet taste. In the early 19th century spread to Sakushi, and local manufacturers created Tatniwakka soft drinks (樺漿清涼飲料, commonly abbreviated to 樺清飲) by adding birch syrup and sugar to carbonated water.

Holidays
Sakushi currently has 16 official public holidays. Since 1988, several of them have been pegged to Woryoils to increase the number of long weekends. National Day (國庆日) falls on 15 Guwol and commemorates the founding of the republic in 1894. Memorial Day (志士記念日) falls on 16 Sibirwol and was originally intended to commemorate those who had died in the War of Sakushin Unification, but has since been expanded to commemorate all who have died in service of Sakushi. Constitution Day (立憲日) falls on 12 Iwol and commemorates the promulgation of the country's first constitution in 1915. Armed Forces Day (建軍日) falls on 20 Owol and commemorates the establishment of the Sakushi National Armed Forces in 1895.

New Year (正月) falls on 1 Irwol and lasts 3 days, celebrating the start of a new year and the coming of spring. Customarily, Sakushins return home to their families, with most employers operating only half the day on New Year's Eve to facilitate this. Arwanonuman (七夕) falls on 7 Chirwol and celebrates romantic love, with most Sakushins who have romantic partners spending time with them on this day. Shutnomi (祖祭) falls on 15 Chirwol lasting 3 days, whereupon Sakushins traditionally return to their family homes to maintain their ancestral graves and perform rituals honoring their ancestors. Chuknoshike (秋中) celebrates the harvest and falls on 15 Parwol, with Sakushins customarily engaging in moon viewing and worship on this day.

Coming of Age Day (成丁日), which congratulates those who have attained the age of majority (20) in the past year, falls on the first Woryoil of Samwol.

Media
Daily newspaper circulation per 1000 residents was 440 in 2020, one of the highest in the world. Almost all counties and cities have their own local paper. Newspapers first became widespread in Sakushi during the mid 18th century, and historically enjoyed a higher degree of freedom of press than television and radio due to the relatively decentralised nature of the industry. Even today, regulatory standards for print media are less stringent than those for television and radio, making them the primary outlet for low quality sensationalist content.

Television and radio were state monopolies before deregulation took place under the 1944 constitution, opening up the industry to commercial broadcasters. Sakushi's oldest and largest broadcaster is the state-owned Sakushi Broadcasting Corporation (朔志放送公社) which was founded in 1925 as the Ukotpet Broadcasting Station (合川放送局), commencing radio broadcasts in that year.

In 2020 Sakushins consumed an average of 184 minutes of television a day, more than any other type of media. There are 4 public and 8 commercial free-to-air channels, with the public channels having nationwide coverage while all but 1 of the commercial channels are regional. was introduced in early 2006 and analogue terrestrial television was phased out by mid 2012. Numerous pay television channels, both local and foreign are also available through and. Sakushi has successfully exported drama, news, and variety programmes abroad since the 2000s.

Radio consumption has been continuously declining since the 1980s and was just 33 minutes a day on average in 2020, lower than most countries. The main audiences for radio today are those born before 1970, workers who perform tedious and repetitive jobs, and housewives.

Sports
Traditionally archery, known as Kuwaru (弓道), is considered the national sport of Sakushi. Archery has deep roots in Sakushin culture, being an important tool used by Aenuic hunter-gatherers to hunt and obtain meat. After the shift to agriculture archery remained a valued skill, especially among warriors and the rural population. Subsequently, schools focusing on mental cultivation rather than hunting or combat emerged, and gained a following among the nobility. As the bow fell out of favor as a hunting tool or weapon of war due to the advent of firearms, schools focusing on mental cultivation outgrew those focusing on practical utility.

Cuju was known to Sakushi since the 9th century, but did not catch on as the hunter-gatherer lifestyle then practiced made it difficult to gather sufficient players, of which Cuju required about 20. After the adoption of agriculture in the Xth century, village sizes increased and lifestyles became more sedentary, facilitating Cuju games. It has been a popular sport since, with most elementary schools today providing instruction in the game, while the government has constructed numerous public Cuju fields.

During the early 20th century the government provided instruction in to school students, loosened gun control, and encouraged the establishment of shooting clubs to enhance military preparedness. Although school instruction in shooting and subsidies for shooting clubs were abolished after the end of the Great Eulhae War, a shooting culture had taken root by then and the sport remains fairly popular since.

Today Kuwaru, Cuju, and shooting are the three most popular sports in Sakushi, with the country producing several international champions in archery and.