The Imperial Mandate of Iskusia is a massive, efficient nation, ruled by Emperor Hamamato with an iron fist, and notable for its pith helmet sales, keen interest in outer space, and punitive income tax rates. The hard-nosed, cynical, humorless population of 2.842 billion Iskusians are kept under strict control by the oppressive government, which measures its success by the nation's GDP and refers to individual citizens as "human resources."

The medium-sized, corrupt, well-organized government juggles the competing demands of Defense, Law & Order, and Administration. It meets to discuss matters of state in the capital city of Enyako. Citizens pay a flat income tax of 93.2%.

The frighteningly efficient Iskusian economy, worth 690 trillion Iskusian Yen a year, is broadly diversified and led by the Arms Manufacturing industry, with major contributions from Information Technology, Retail, and Beef-Based Agriculture. Black market activity is extensive. Average income is an amazing 242,827 Iskusian Yen, but there is a large disparity between incomes, with the richest 10% of citizens earning 910,944 per year while the poor average 45,236, a ratio of 20.1 to 1.

Teachers prefer to give 'Maybe, Maybe Not' tests when dealing with sensitive subjects, euthanasia is illegal, families consisting of more than three people are forced to split up, and the sound of office water cooler chatter has been replaced by the whirring of computer cooling fans. Crime, especially youth-related, is totally unknown, thanks to a well-funded police force and progressive social policies in education and welfare. Iskusia's national animal is the Swordfish, which is also the nation's favorite main course, and its national religion is Buddhism.

Iskusia is ranked 49,066^th in the world and 1,126^th in the Rejected Realms for Largest Automobile Manufacturing Sector, scoring 4,254.11 on the Henry Ford Productivity Index.