ECONOMY
The Jade Empire operates a form of Rhine Capitalism. The state itself is a major employer, responsible for the Imperial Jade Navy, the Jade Marine Corps, schools, hospitals and the Imperial Crisis Response Units among other institutions. Emergency medical services and essential healthcare is free, maintained by the feudal overlords of each district, whilst private healthcare clinics and home-based technologies are widely available and often subsidized by the state.
Education is provided by the state and promotes both graduate degrees and trade and apprenticeship programs. Any individual may apply to the local authorities for the right to start up a private business. Private businesses are regulated by the government. Foreign businesses may apply for license to operate directly in Ingen, but must conform to Imperial regulations and laws. There is no minimum wage in Ingen, but companies cannot by law pay less than 95% of the industry average for
Education is provided by the state and promotes both graduate degrees and trade and apprenticeship programs. Any individual may apply to the local authorities for the right to start up a private business. Private businesses are regulated by the government. Foreign businesses may apply for license to operate directly in Ingen, but must conform to Imperial regulations and laws. There is no minimum wage in Ingen, but companies cannot by law pay less than 95% of the industry average for
any given position, nor can they offer unpaid positions unless they are a registered non-profit.
CURRENCYThe currency of the Jade Empire is the Jade Yen (sign: ¥, code: JY), which is split into 10 shillings. The Jade Yen is a fiat currency backed by the Jade Empire. As of 2487 AT, one Jade Yen had the purchasing power of approximately one universal Kaukra, or two NationStates Dollars. As of 2430 AT the physical Jade Yen has been a diamond coin with a diameter of 2 inches, whilst the shilling is 1.25 inches in diameter. This is due in part to the general abundance of diamonds on most terrestrial planets. This replaced the paper note system which had been in place since 2301 AT, which in turn replaced bronze and silver coinage. The Jade Yen was first officially circulated during the reign of Jade Emperor Shussan, in roughly 3AT.
The Jade Empire has embraced digital financial systems and 98.2% of all financial transactions in the Jade Empire are believed to be digital in nature. Holohand devices typically have payment functionality built in through short-range contactless systems. Credit is publicly available but personal debt is discouraged and strongly regulated by the government to prevent runaway inflation. Long-term investments such as mortgages, vehicle payments and other purchases are the most common form of credit used by private individuals in the Jade Empire. TAXATIONTaxation rates vary across the Empire, but typically taxes of all forms are restricted to 5% of the total value of any transaction or good. The Jade Throne tithes 20% of any tax levied by local authorities, and the taxation rates set in territories controlled directly by the Jade Throne, such as Seiiki City, are seen as informal guidelines for the rest of the Jade Empire. Inheritance is a complicated issue for the samurai class as it also entails political responsibility, and all land is ultimately held in fief from the crown.
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RESOURCES
The Jade Empire is rich in mineral wealth, having a comprehensive colonial mining operation that brings in much of the resource pool necessary to sustain the Empire, including umi-tetsu, vitredeur and the elements required to produce void-titanium. The Empire is also efficient at recycling, especially when it comes to metals and advanced technological parts. Ingen is also a net exporter of medical supplies and high quality lumber, and is famous for exporting shofu syrup, a luxury condiment that is derived from mildly psychoactive mushrooms. Individually-owned and small co-operative farms are widespread throughout the Empire, often providing a secondary source of income and food for families.
INTERNATIONAL TRADE
The Jade economy is open to foreign trade and is continuously working to increase the Ingenious presence in international markets. International trade is guided by the concept of wakon-yosai, literally 'our spirit, foreign talent', recognising that foreign ideas and resources are necessary for a successful economy but that they should be tempered by Ingenious ideals.
As such, imports are generally permitted without excessive or punitive tariffs, but are strictly monitored to prevent aggressive destabilization of the economy or a glut of certain items. The Jade Empire also regulates exports to prevent the export of crucial technology or vital goods whose loss would pose a significant detriment to the well-being of the Empire. Jade civilian vessels, whatever their function, are marked as JCV.
As such, imports are generally permitted without excessive or punitive tariffs, but are strictly monitored to prevent aggressive destabilization of the economy or a glut of certain items. The Jade Empire also regulates exports to prevent the export of crucial technology or vital goods whose loss would pose a significant detriment to the well-being of the Empire. Jade civilian vessels, whatever their function, are marked as JCV.