The Magnificent Japanese Empire of Cantabola is a massive, cultured nation, ruled by Emperor Shinasu I with a fair hand, and notable for its ban on automobiles, daily referendums, and prohibition of alcohol. The hard-nosed, hard-working, democratic, devout population of 1.456 billion Japanese enjoy a sensible mix of personal and economic freedoms, while the political process is open and the people's right to vote held sacrosanct.

The relatively small, outspoken government juggles the competing demands of Education, Welfare, and Spirituality. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Naski. The average income tax rate is 12.2%.

The strong Cantabolan economy, worth 88.8 trillion Japanese Naru Coins a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Tourism industry, with major contributions from Trout Farming, Basket Weaving, and Cheese Exports. State-owned companies are reasonably common. Average income is 60,971 Japanese Naru Coins, and evenly distributed, with the richest citizens earning only 4.5 times as much as the poorest.

Claiming to have performed the Heimlich Maneuver is a popular defense for assault charges, the only soporific permitted during sermons is the preacher's voice, tourists need only sign on the dotted line to become citizens, and cash-strapped politicians frequently host bake sales to fund their campaigns. Crime, especially youth-related, is relatively low. Cantabola's national animal is the Red Panda, which frolics freely in the nation's many lush forests, and its national religion is Christianity.

Cantabola is ranked 13,099^th in the world and 1^st in The Shinasu Islands for Largest Cheese Export Sector, scoring 6,319.78 on the Mozzarella Productivity Index.