NSA: The Cabinet of Ashikaga Yoshimasa

APPROXIMATE COMMITTEE SIZE: 25 DELEGATES

The cabinet and advisors to Ashikaga Yoshimasa face an unenviable task. The shogunate is being drawn into a succession dispute that has already begun to unravel central authority in Kyoto, but the Shogun wants no part in it. Despite being the brother of one successor and the father of another, Yoshimasa, also known as the Poet King, prefers writing poetry to governing or naming an heir.  Yoshimasa's patronage of the arts gives the Ashikaga name a cultural weight that can be used to project legitimacy, but projected authority pales in the face of angry peasants and disgruntled feudal lords. With the realm growing more unstable and political authority slipping away, delegates must press Yoshimasa to act decisively, preserve domestic loyalty, and turn the splendor of his court into a source of strength — all before the shogunate's influence fades any further.

CHAIR: Johsnson lin

ISSUES TO CONSIDER

Issue 1: Urge the Shogun to Act: Yoshimasa is indecisive and more interested in cultural pursuits than political leadership. How can the cabinet persuade Yoshimasa to take decisive action on the succession crisis and assert authority before his inaction leads to further chaos and the collapse of central control?  

Issue 2: Maintain Domestic Support: The Shogunate’s power is fragile, and Yoshimasa needs to avoid appearing weak to maintain loyalty and preserve legitimacy in Kyoto. How can the shogunate preserve domestic support and credibility while navigating internal divisions and attempting to stabilize the realm? 

Issue 3: Promote Cultural Prestige: Though criticized for political indecision, Yoshimasa's court remains a center of artistic and cultural life in Kyoto. How can the shogunate use cultural patronage and ceremony to strengthen its influence and preserve the prestige of Ashikaga rule during a time of growing instability? 

About the Chair

Johnson Lin is a member of the Walsh School of Foreign Service Class of 2029 studying International Politics. He is originally from Plainsboro, New Jersey (where the TV show House is from!)  He first started MUN in high school when he accidentally missed the bus. However he quickly fell in love with MUN and currently competes for GUMUN. He also has previously staffed NAIMUN and is currently serving as NCSC’s USG of Specialized committees. When Johnson is not doing MUN related activities he can be found at the pool table in Henle (some believe he might live there). He also loves playing pickup basketball, listening to music,and falling asleep in odd places such as the pool table!

He cannot wait to be your Poet King and is looking forward to Chairing for all of you in the spring!

About the Crisis manager

Kareem Nasr is a student in Georgetown’s College of Arts and Sciences Class of 2029, where he is unsure of what to major in at the moment, but trust, he has his life figured out. Model UN is fairly new to him, with limited exposure in middle and high school but has fully immersed himself in GUMUN and the collegiate circuit since college – previously staffing both NCSC and NAIMUN. Though he is from Westchester, NY, he insists that he does not live upstate, but the many NYC Georgetown students are raining on that parade a bit. Kareem is also a part of Georgetown’s Eating Society,  where he travels to many restaurants across DC with friends – a fitting hobby for someone labelled “Fatreem” by the previous NCSC SG (delegates don't even think about it). He is also on Georgetown’s Club Water Polo team, where he struggles to stay afloat while gaslighting himself that he is athletic but nonetheless he tries. He loves going out with friends, listening to music, trying new things, and is so excited to be your CM this NAIMUN!