Japan must completely cast aside its primitiveness. The paranormal must be subjected to the objectives of the empire through the scientific lens. General Okakura, 1888 CE But IJAMEA does have a place in Japan's order. Only we stand as the vanguard against European encroachment of our collective heritage, the empire's and the rest of Asia. General Kurata, 1921 CE With all due respects, this is no longer a war among humans. This is a war against Japan itself. Our enemies sought to destroy all that is Japanese, and we urge you to oppose them. Not necessarily for our sake, but for yours and this sacred homeland. Lt. Colonel Sakamoto, 1945 CE We did not lose. I am still alive. I can fight on. Private Tanaka, 1968 CE Even if History called them monsters, they will always be our fathers and grandfathers. It is only correct for me – their descendant – to abide by their ways. General Ito, 2008 CE

Post-Restoration Meiji (1888–1912): Formation Official ensign of IJAMEA The Imperial Japanese Anomalous Matters Examination Agency (IJAMEA) can be regarded as a product of Meiji Japan's modernization program, particularly with regards to the paranormal. Although multiple individuals and organisations (e.g. Shūshū-In, Bureau of Onmyō) had played significant roles in responding to the paranormal in pre-Meiji Japan, many in the Meiji oligarchy derided them as primitive due to the use of so-called "magic" and other traditional methods. Instead, they called for a new organization which valued the scientific model and represented the new modernized Japan. This was the primary impetus to create IJAMEA; to rebrand Japan's interactions with the paranormal. Thus, representatives from the Imperial German Anomalous Matters Examination Agency (IGAMEA) was invited by the government to advise on paranormal matters under the frame of Western parascientific methodology. Chosen due to the compatibility with fukoku kyōhei and the Meiji oligarchy's favorable opinion of German military and legal systems, it effectively ascribed a military element in Japan's interactions with the paranormal during the 20th century. Following IJAMEA's formation, IGAMEA advisors were sent to Japan to train the fledgling organization on multiple paranormal subjects. Japanese subjects already involved with the paranormal formed the first batch of IJAMEA's soldiers, including the younger members of the Bureau of Onmyō and Shūshū-In. This was especially detrimental to the Bureau's operations, contributing to its dissolution in 1901. A major activity of IJAMEA is Operation Hakutaku , a holistic collation of all existing documentation regarding anomalous entities and phenomena throughout Japan. Temples, shrines, libraries, and private collections inter alia throughout Japan were raided for any noteworthy knowledge pertaining to the paranormal. This policy extended to territories colonized by the Japanese, which were termed Operation Go-Hakutaku (Taiwan) and Operation Hakutaku III (Korean Peninsula). While initially praised by many organizations, later iterations of Operation Hakutaku were criticized for attempting to frame various anomalies under a Japanese interpretation, thus asserting Japanese dominance in the paranormal sphere. During the Russo-Japanese War, IJAMEA was not mobilized in favor of the publicly-known Imperial Navy (IJN). The Veil Protocol meant that IJAMEA was perceived to be ill-suited for mobilization. This attitude led to an initial sense of animosity towards the Imperial Army (IJA) and IJN among IJAMEA. Taisho (1912–1926): Consolidation Alleged "Chinese occultists", following capture. The early years of the Taisho period coincided with World War I, which allowed IJAMEA an opportunity to display its military prowess. Specifically, it assisted in the occupation of Kiautschou and suppressed attacks led by Chinese occultists. Although IJAMEA insisted that said occultists were backed by the Republic of China, substantial evidence has suggested that they were independent entities. Nevertheless, IJAMEA used those incidents to justify the necessity of the organization in Japan's military apparatus. Despite the Veil Protocol, the secrecy shrouding the paranormal eventually became an opportunity. Throughout the 1920s, IJAMEA propagated the idea that only it could represent Japan's interests regarding paranormal affairs. This granted them a niche over both IJA and IJN, who contended to influence the civil government. Styling itself as Japan's representative regarding paranormal matters, IJAMEA collaborated with both the Foundation and Allied Occult Coalition (AOC). Nonetheless, IJAMEA has maintained its independence and its priority was always the Empire of Japan. Initially limited in governmental influence, IJAMEA sought to exploit the surge in ultranationalist organizations (e.g. Black Ocean Society, Black Dragon Society) for its benefit. These groups were infiltrated and gradually became public facades for IJAMEA to hold influence in Japanese society. Despite IJA's initial apprehension, it and IJAMEA eventually found common ground, unified in nationalist rhetoric. Prewar Showa (1926–1945): Total War IJAMEA Lt. Colonel Sakamoto The ascension of Emperor Showa is said to mark the peak of Japanese militarism, and this extended to IJAMEA as well. The organization began to strengthen its hold over the paranormal community in the Japanese Empire, eventually ousting the Foundation and halting their involvement with the AOC. Shūshū-In saw the writing on the wall, and pre-emptively withdrew from public life – allowing it to be relatively free from Imperial control. By 1932, IJAMEA became the primary authority over all paranormal matters within the borders of the Japanese Empire. Additionally, IJAMEA's growing ties with the IJA allowed them access to the puppet state of Manchukuo. IJAMEA platoons were mobilized to Manchukuo to conduct archaeological digs in the region, and initiated Operation Hakutaku IV. During the Second Sino-Japanese War and the subsequent Pacific War, IJAMEA was as involved as the rest of the Japanese war machine. Throughout the war, they attempted to identify the applicability of various anomalous entities and items in combat – as implied by the high number of IJAMEA Operations formulated during the period. They had even requested artifacts from the emperor's Seimei Gallery, which were mostly granted without issue. Among the initiatives spearheaded by IJAMEA, its most ambitious operation was its collaboration with IJA, the Special Autonomous Battalion or more commonly known as the Youkai Battalion. Manned purely by anomalous entities, the Youkai Battalion numbered over 500 strong at its height. Notably, officers tended to be humans (albeit, reality benders or thaumaturgists) whereas some enlistees were reported to be non-sapient. This project was relatively unsuccessful, due to any number of difficulties involved with wrangling and controlling anomalous entities, and was disbanded shortly before the end of the war. Despite increasing collaboration between IJAMEA and the IJA, evidence suggests of independent paranormal initiatives controlled fully by the IJA. One such example is the rumored "Unit Negative Numbers", sometimes termed "IJA Special Medical Force". In practice, many of IJAMEA's projects faced complications. Some (e.g. Youkai Battalion) were ineffective due to sheer unpredictability, while others (e.g. Operation Dakki) were irrelevant as either the IJA or IJN had fulfilled the same purpose. It can be said that IJAMEA's desire to prove itself over the other branches ultimately contributed to many poor decisions made by the leadership. Following Japan's surrender in 1945, IJAMEA was dissolved, along with all other branches of the military. Due to strong insistence from world leaders involved with the paranormal sphere, the majority of IJAMEA documentation and assets were transferred to Foundation control.

Following the dissolution of IJAMEA in 1945, many former operatives have since joined the Foundation and various Groups of Interest, ranging from the Global Occult Coalition and GRU-P to the Chaos Insurgency and Marshall, Carter and Dark, Ltd. Some even returned to civilian lives, choosing to forget their involvement with IJAMEA altogether. But there were some who continued to fight under the banner of IJAMEA. Among these remnants, two notable sub-groups can be distinguished: the 'Kakure Shogun' and the 'Jirai'. Note that these terms would be deemed derogatory to actual members of either sub-group, as most still refer to themselves as true agents of IJAMEA. Kakure Shogun "Kakure Shogun" – General Ito The Kakure Shogun ("hidden general") represents a postwar adaptation of IJAMEA against the backdrop of discredited militarism. As the Allied Occupation dismantled all aspects of Japanese militarism in the public sphere, the private sphere (i.e. the family) became the last safe haven for IJAMEA loyalists. Thus the family became the foundation for the Kakure Shogun's existence, drawing parallels to the Kakure Kirishitan of the Tokugawa period. In many respects, the Kakure Shogun are said to be exemplars of honne and tatemae – maintaining a strong public facade whilst keeping their IJAMEA allegiance to themselves, their respective families, and close allies. Despite its moniker, almost none of the Kakure Shoguns descended from shogunal clans, and only a handful were actually IJAMEA Generals. In fact, many hold a multitude of mundane occupations ranging from salarymen and CEOs to musicians and animators. The rank of General is widely believed to be self-designated, in those members' initial belief that they are the only remaining IJAMEA member(s). Later generations would also use the rank of General, claiming that they inherited their parents' titles. Holding the superficial commanding office, many Kakure Shogun continue to develop IJAMEA Operation Reports and exploit their occupations to further their goals. Many Kakure Shogun have exploited Japan's economic miracle to establish bases around the world, allowing them to operate with minimal scrutiny. Some are said to have backed right-wing political parties and supported Japan's remilitarization. While there are rumors that former IJAMEA members working within the Foundation and other groups are Kakure Shogun, it is speculated to be an exaggeration propagated to weaken or intimidate such organizations. The modus operandi of the Kakure Shogun vary by individual. While it might be easy to assume that they desire the destruction of America and conquest of Asia, some recovered Operation Reports drafted by Kakure Shogun suggest non-military objectives – e.g. protection of the paranormal community in Japan. It is postulated that these non-military objectives are simply tactics to gain a moral high ground and thus an alternate path towards victory – or as compensation for the military victory that could not be fully materialized at the time. Although the first generation of Kakure Shogun are exclusively male due to the demographics of IJAMEA, female Kakure Shoguns are not unheard of in subsequent generations. In very rare cases, there have even been incidents of non-human entities filling the role of Kakure Shogun. Jirai Essentially the IJAMEA counterpart to the Japanese holdouts, the Jirai ("landmine") are called so due to their secretive status and indiscriminate sudden attacks on anyone – military or civilian. Initially assumed to be the same as their IJA and IJN counterparts, subsequent decades have changed the characteristics that defined the Jirai. Contemporary paranormal academia thus classifies the Jirai into the following sub-categories: First-wave Jirai: Composed of MIA IJAMEA members who did not know of or believe in Japan's formal surrender. Over the decades, it is believed that some first-wave Jirai might have utilized anomalous means to remain in hiding and/or extend their lives.

Composed of MIA IJAMEA members who did not know of or believe in Japan's formal surrender. Over the decades, it is believed that some first-wave Jirai might have utilized anomalous means to remain in hiding and/or extend their lives. Second-wave Jirai: Believed to have been inspired by the Viet Cong following America's withdrawal from the Vietnam War. Known to publicize attacks to shape public opinion, and to expose the existence of Kakure Shoguns within the Foundation and other global organizations involved with the paranormal.

Believed to have been inspired by the Viet Cong following America's withdrawal from the Vietnam War. Known to publicize attacks to shape public opinion, and to expose the existence of Kakure Shoguns within the Foundation and other global organizations involved with the paranormal. Third-wave Jirai: Composed mainly of Kakure Shogun household members born after World War II. Apparently largely inspired by 21st century terrorist organizations. Known to express irritation towards the apparent inaction of their Kakure Shogun relatives, and thus take on direct actions. Despite the aforementioned classification system, the Jirai are poorly understood with drastic variations in modus operandi. The full extent of the Jirai is still unknown, but believed to be dwindling. Due to their isolation, the Jirai are typically less focused on IJAMEA Operation Reports, instead prioritizing action. That being said, the sheer diversity of the Jirai meant that exceptions are to expected – e.g. some recovered postwar IJAMEA Operations are carried out by members of Jirai splinter organizations.