The Republic of Mayoi Shigure is a massive, safe nation, renowned for its public floggings, keen interest in outer space, and stringent health and safety legislation. The hard-nosed population of 3.104 billion Mayoi Shigureans are highly moralistic and fiercely conservative, in the sense that they tend to believe most things should be outlawed. People who have good jobs and work quietly at them are lauded; others are viewed with suspicion.

The medium-sized government prioritizes Administration, although Defense, Law & Order, and Education are also considered important, while International Aid isn't funded at all. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 35.3%.

The strong Mayoi Shigurean economy, worth 181 trillion credits a year, is led by the Gambling industry, with significant contributions from Door-to-door Insurance Sales, Arms Manufacturing, and Automobile Manufacturing. Black market activity is frequent. State-owned companies are common. Average income is 58,478 credits, with the richest citizens earning 8.8 times as much as the poorest.

A little pushing and pulling is needed for big ships to pass, the hit new medical TV show "Home" prominently features the brand of painkiller the lead doctor is addicted to, exorbitant spending on icebreakers breaks the ice at every budget meeting, and homeowners on prime real estate have been seen dodging giant bulldozers with cartoon characters painted on them. Crime, especially youth-related, is relatively low, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Mayoi Shigure's national animal is the bear, which can occasionally be seen sifting through garbage in the nation's cities.

Mayoi Shigure is ranked 225,003^rd in the world and 1,648^th in Remembrance for Most Cheerful Citizens, with 48.52 Percentage Of Water Glasses Perceived Half-Full.