Shortly after the 20th century, the south eastern economy fell into a deep shadow of it's former self, and the nation's youth became out of control. In the 1940's, the Greater East Asia Republic developed Combat Experiment Program Number 68, a.k.a. The Battle Royale Act, as a way of 'controling' corruption among youth.
     This once controversial yearly program selects a single 9th grade class from a list of (up to) 50 possible canidates to engage in a gladiator-style death match. Worse yet, it is televised to the public, as "The Program". Declared necessary for national defense and safety, the first Battle Royale took place in 1947, and today, it has become a standard government policy.
     Participation in The Program cannot be refused, and families of participants view their children's sacrifice as a civic duty. However, as of the year 2000, the disaster's that plauged South East Asia, spread across the world, effecting:
Germany
Russia
Mexico
France
and North America

     Each country has passed similar Battle Royale acts. Though Japan was one of the first to pass this horrific act, probably some of the most brutal Battle Royales happened in North America, with 75 possible canidates are selected and transport to a random battleground, where the participate in the worst reality show ever in recorded history:
The Program.