YE 40 is the in-character Yamataian Calendar year that aligned with 2018. It began on January 1, 2018 and ended on December 31, 2018.

The themes for YE 40 are making the setting deeper (not just wider), faction diversity, and the heating up of the Kuvexian War.

• International Relations Conference of YE 40

• Hanami Festival of YE 40
• YSS Sakura II is refitted to the 2E standard for testing.
• YSS Kaiyō II returns from another universe and promptly begins a mission to Planet H.
• YSS Hana and the Ninth Fleet explore NorthWestern space, where the YSS Hana had encountered Elefirn the year before.
• Hanako's Star, Essia System, and other star systems are attacked by the Kuvexian Military.
  • YSS Eucharis assisted with the defense.
  • YSS Sakura II also assists with the defense, at the Scrapyard System front. It employs asymmetrical warfare and ambush tactics to thin a much larger force at the edge of the star system in the opening salvos.
• Essia System falls to Kuvexians and other nearby systems are threatened. Rebels on Essia fight back against Kuvexian Occupation.

• In the early days of YE 40, the Democratic Imperium of Nepleslia announces the renewed production of the ancient ID-SOL.
• The Vordachibean break loose; have become a pest on various Nepleslian worlds and are still being hunted.
• Delsauria re-discovers the Delsaurian Sandtrouncer and various underground caves; sparks a new age of colonial fervor and reinvigorates the economy of Nepleslia with new products and a more active Delsaurian population taking to the stars.
• The return of the Yellow faction; the New Yellow Relief and Developmental Society forms and begins putting an emphasis on improved lifestyles. They begin humanitarian relief and help form the Nepleslian Organized-Circuit Boxing League to provide new entertainment, better support for the children and orphans of Nepleslia, and create new jobs.
• A group of renegades raided a warehouse owned by the Funky City Thunder.

• Seismic activity increases on Nesha Prime.
• Neshaten scientists detect a strange anomaly to the galactic east, send's a scientific group to investigate.
• The Netrunu'marol launch an attack on Ne'ushae.
• SNV Furi'ken is launched.

• Section 6 is reformed into the New Dusk Conclave.
• Obsidia city is constructed as the seat of power for the NDC, on their new home world of Sirris VI.
• Forms alliance with Monarchy of Dovania.
• NDC engages in a war with a raider organization, the war ends in victory for the NDC after only three months.

• Akemi's Umbrella, a conglomerate holding business ventures of Koga Akemi, is formed.
• Ken-TEC forms on Kennewes; a small corporation with a focus on providing tools and services for the working stiffs of the Kikyo sector.
• The Exodus Fleet; a fleet of deserters from the increasingly totalitarian state, the OSO, leaves for the southeast of the Kikyo sector.
• Osman Heavy Industries; a business built around the sale of mecha/armored frames, is founded in the OSO and eventually leaves under economic pressure from the local economic syndicate.

• OIF Reaper launches on its first job
• OIF Karakoram sets off to combat piracy

These are some new technologies that debuted in YE 40.

• Star Army Exercise Uniform, Type 40
  • Star Army Exercise Bra, Type 40
• Star Army Survival Knife, Type 40
• Star Army Officer Sword, Type 40
• Plumeria-class (2E) Medium Gunship
• Chiaki-class (1B) Escort Destroyer