Mirai City
Welcome to Mirai City, a city of the future within the now, home to cutting-edge technological research, where the superhuman ability Power Curriculum program was created, and maybe, just maybe, sometimes home to a touch of secretive magic of the old world.
OVERVIEW
Mirai City is a bustling metropolis with a population of approximately 2.2 million residents. The majority of the population is of Japanese descent, reflecting the city’s location, roughly two hours by train from Tokyo. However, the significant proportion of international students and visiting or recruited researchers from around the globe creates a vibrant and multicultural atmosphere.
Approximately 40% of the city’s student population have developed extraordinary abilities through the city’s Power Curriculum, which range from telekinesis to elemental manipulation. Students are scored on their abilities during the twice-yearly System Scan, and assigned a Level ranking from 0 to 5, with 5 being the highest. Mirai City is considered a unique center for superhuman research, with many laboratories and institutions dedicated to studying and harnessing these unique talents.
The official languages of Mirai City are Japanese and English. Japanese serves as the primary language for daily communication and administration, while English is widely spoken, particularly in the business and academic sectors.
GEOGRAPHY
Mirai City is bounded by a 10-meter high wall that encircles all city districts, including some mountainous foothills as well as the river that meanders through the heart of the city. The river banks are adorned with parks, promenades, and cultural landmarks. The river also serves as a hub for recreational activities, with boat cruises and riverside festivals being popular attractions. The foothills provide a location for a more naturalized park setting, a darker sky region for advanced telescopes, as well as higher spots for telecommunications arrays and skyscrapers with views across the urban landscape.
DISTRICTS
Mirai City is broken down into 23 Districts. These districts serve as both administrative units and reflect the city’s commitment to specialization and efficiency. While many of these districts are primarily oriented toward specific industries or research activities, they are all designed to provide essential services and amenities to their residents and visitors and commonly have some portion dedicated to basic stores, utilities, and some limited residential zoning.ARCHITECTURE
Spurred in part by its status as a ‘City of the Future’, most buildings are of ultra-modern construction, and buildings over 10 years old subject to evaluation and a usually a full rebuild to bring them up to the city’s standards. While industrial buildings tend towards functional concrete and steel construction, administrative and research facilities are high-tech steel and glass, with educational facilities a more warm fabricated wood and stone. Eco-friendly additions such as green roofs are common, and one district even specializes in carbon-neutral green buildings.CLIMATE
Mirai City has a humid subtropical zone climate similar to nearby Tokyo. Summers are hot and humid, with a crisp fall and damp winter that lends itself to occasional snow that never truly sticks around (except for possibly a thin coat at the observatory and sometimes in the forest/shrine area.) Wind generally comes from the west and south, though sometimes a cold wind will carry mountain breezes from the north.ECONOMY
One of the cornerstones of Mirai City’s economy is its educational sector. The city is renowned for its specialized schools and universities, which attract students and scholars from around the world. The presence of these institutions not only drives intellectual growth but also contributes substantially to the local economy. Tuition fees, research grants, and academic collaborations generate a steady stream of revenue, making education a vital economic pillar.The high-tech industry is another major player in Mirai City’s economic landscape. The city is home to numerous high-tech firms, research and development centers, and manufacturing facilities. These entities often enter into leasing agreements with the city to access state-of-the-art infrastructure, research facilities, and a skilled workforce. The revenue generated from leasing arrangements forms a substantial part of the city’s budget, further solidifying the city’s reputation as a technological hub.
Mirai City’s economic influence extends beyond its borders, impacting regional and global markets. Although many technologies are kept secret within the city (including the details of the Power Curriculum), many of its other innovations and technological advancements are sold or licensed out to other companies across the world , further cementing its reputation as a global economic powerhouse.
TRANSPORTATION
Mirai City leverages cutting-edge technology to enhance transportation services. Smart traffic management systems, real-time updates for commuters, and automated fare collection make navigating the city’s transportation network effortless and efficient. Several highways run through the city, although generally elevated or underground, and multiple monorail and metro lines keep the city’s populace connected and ready to get anywhere they want to go.
Free transit passes are provided for all students, and bus lines generally shut down at curfew, whereas metro and monorail lines only shut down for a maintenance window between 1am and 4am. Metro stations are set up for maximum safety, with barriers between the waiting platforms and the tracks, and all are monitored by security cameras. Public transit also had a reduced schedule to some areas on Sundays, mainly reseach focused areas like biotech, financial, and aerospace.
EMERGENCY SERVICES
There are both above and belowground shelters, but in general emergency services attend to problems very quickly. In monsoon season it can get a bit rainy, but Mirai City always seems spared from the worst of the flooding and wind, and so far it has never experienced a major earthquake.More damaging, to be blunt, are the students. Fire department helicopters are quick to scoop water from the river to put out fires, and construction crew equipped with exosuits can rebuild an average single-digit-story building at a high rate of speed. Businesses are always fairly compensated and accommodated in cases of a student exercising their abilities in a destructive way.
SECURITY
To enter Mirai City, one must pass through security checkpoints at the city’s wall. Entry and exit are strictly monitored, and security requires an unlock and check of any electronic devices passing through the checkpoint, since industrial espionage has been a problem in the past. Drones and other high-tech security systems are present to ensure integrity of the barrier between Mirai City and the rest of the world.Within the city, security measures are less obtrusive. All major city streets and facilities have CCTV cameras, and emergency services are distributed evenly across the city to respond quickly to any events. At night the city streets are well-lit for maximum safety, although not everywhere gets the same level of treatment – places where the workers have gone home for the day and there’s little reason for anyone to be there after dark often have larger distances between streetlights – district 19 and 10 being prime examples of this.
As much as the city is encircled by a wall of armed drones and concrete, the internet is surrounded by its own firewall. Much like getting through checkpoints, pulling data from the wider internet is no problem – Mirai City doesn’t resist or block access to any sites for incoming traffic. However, outgoing is a different story. Encrypted messages going out are only permitted from a restricted set of sources. It is generally safe to assume any messages going out of the city are read or searched in some fashion.
GOVERNANCE
Mirai City’s unique demographic composition, with the majority of its population being students, has led to a distinctive governance structure. The city itself is operated as a city-state independent from Japan, and is overseen by a Board of Directors who have ultimate say over how the city is run. This board is composed of individuals who have significant investments or involvement in various aspects of Mirai City’s development and research goals, and are selected based on their expertise, experience, and contributions to the city’s growth. Many members of the board are prominent figures in fields such as education, technology, research, and business.NEWS AND MEDIA
Mirai City’s major news outlet, Sol, (digital only, free online) covers city events, announcements and classifieds. Serious news does get covered, but as Mirai city tries to ensure a safe reputation, it’s always heavily emphasized in incidents that ‘no one was hurt’ ‘limited property damage’ ‘antiskill on the scene immediately and culprit apprehended’ and so on.A blimp circulates around the city advertising latest events (including upcoming system scans) and weather forecasts, which are always 100% correct.
The city’s official social media app, Circles, is a mix of Line and Wechat; a personal feed of friends, one for companies and other follow-ables, a page you can post your own updates on (including video), and private messaging, as well as banking – although many people still pay by card or even cash. If people allow you can also see friends of friends, post gaming scores, and so on. The official API supports quite extensive programming, including custom encryption to allow for totally secure messages to be sent between two parties. Non-residents cannot get a Circles account, and it is not accessible from outside city connections towers.
EDUCATION
Mirai City is a global education hub with a remarkable concentration of schools and institutions that cater to a diverse student population. This educational landscape comprises a staggering number of elementary and middle schools, a significant number of high schools, and several university and college campuses, including annexes from prestigious international universities.Most, though not all, schools offer the Power Curriculum program, and many middle and high schools have requirements not just for academic performance, but also for Level of ability.
Elementary and Middle Schools: Mirai City’s commitment to education is evident in its extensive network of over 5000 elementary and middle schools. These institutions provide a strong educational foundation for the city’s young residents. The city’s focus on primary education ensures that students receive a solid grounding in various subjects, preparing them for more specialized studies in the future.
High Schools: Mirai City is home to nearly 1000 high schools, offering a wide range of academic and vocational programs. These high schools provide students with opportunities to pursue their interests and passions, preparing them for higher education or vocational careers. The diverse curriculum and teaching methods reflect the city’s commitment to fostering well-rounded individuals.
University and College Campuses: Mirai City boasts a vibrant higher education landscape, with several university and college campuses scattered throughout the city. These institutions offer diverse academic programs, research opportunities, and a multicultural environment. What sets Mirai City apart is the presence of annexes from prestigious international universities, fostering global collaboration and attracting students and scholars from around the world.
With Mirai City’s focus on education and unique curriculum, it should be no surprise that it also has several youth assistance programs to help pay for basic care and schooling in the case of children who are orphaned or abandoned.
TOURISM
Although there is a reasonably large hospitality district, with all manner of entertainment and hotels for all budgets from the thrift to the affluent jet-setter, the district is usually at a low hum outside certain times fo year. Simply put, because of the entry requirements, there are no standard ‘tourists’ in Mirai City except for certain times of year (generally festivals and parent-teacher meeting weeks.) Tour groups fall mainly into two categories: prospective students and research-releated guided tours.
Common souvenirs from Mirai City include allowable tech like miniaturized cellphones and AR displays (patented), unusual food options, and postcards of the city from above (in a beautiful drone shot).
AGRICULTURE
Self-Sufficiency in Food Production: Mirai City is renowned for its forward-thinking approach to food production. Utilizing advanced techniques such as greenhouses and vertical farms, the city generates more than half of its food supply locally. These controlled environments allow for year-round cultivation of a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, reducing the city’s reliance on external sources and minimizing its carbon footprint. In addition, the city invests in artificial textured protein production, offering alternative protein sources that are not only sustainable but also highly nutritious.Culinary Experiments and Flavor Innovations: Mirai City is a haven for culinary experimentation and flavor innovation. The city’s diverse population and commitment to research and development have given rise to a vibrant culinary scene. Numerous restaurants, cafes, and food laboratories can be found throughout the city, where chefs and food scientists collaborate on novel dishes, unique flavor profiles, and groundbreaking culinary techniques.
Food Science and Technology: The city is home to several cutting-edge food science and technology centers, where researchers explore the possibilities of food production and flavor enhancement. From molecular gastronomy to the creation of entirely new taste sensations, Mirai City’s experts push the boundaries of culinary art and science.