Tokyo Bubble Life

Chapters 1567 and 1576, hurry up and get rid of this, I'm getting annoyed!

"Another unexpected bonus?"

Later that evening, Naoki Nagayama and Otomo Yoshimura received a report from the "investigation team." After hearing Mitsuko Miyazawa admit in the video that there was a team, and that Yamato Kishimoto from Sony was also involved, Naoki Nagayama laughed.

Yoshimura Otomo nodded in satisfaction:

"I already knew it was someone from Sony, but I didn't expect that Mitsuko Miyazawa would actually admit it so readily!"

"Yes, that way we can wipe them all out in one fell swoop!"

It's certain they'll pull some dirty tricks behind your back, but don't let them catch you red-handed!

Some things are fine if you don't weigh them, but once you do, they're incredibly heavy!

Just like during a prime ministerial election in Japan, they will definitely use some means to smear their opponents. But if such a thing is caught and the evidence is exposed, it will be a major scandal that ruins their political reputation!

"Naoki-san!"

Kijima Kyō spoke up.

"Should I go and bring back evidence of their conspiracy?!"

Kijima Kyō is getting better and better at secretly following, sneaking in, and taking photos!

"Haha, no need, no need!"

Naoki Nagayama quickly shook his head; he didn't want to expose his trump card like that.

"If this gets back to Sony's upper management, Kishimoto Yamato will definitely be fired. And if Morita Akio finds out, that guy will probably be blacklisted as well."

Akio Morita was a man who cared a lot about his image as an upper-class person; if his subordinates were too low-class, it would be a loss of face for him.

"All right!"

Naoki Nagayama looked at Masami Inada and gave the order.

"Give her one hundred million."

"Then directly file a lawsuit for extortion. The trial will be closed to the public."

"Please get this over with quickly, it's been dragging on for almost a month now. I'm fed up!"

"Hi!"

Masami Inada immediately nodded, patted Takayuki Numata's arm, and the two made a promise together.

We will handle it as soon as possible!

"Um"

Seeing that Naoki Nagayama was alright, Otomo Yoshimura waved for them to go out and do their work before continuing to discuss New Year's matters.

"Naoki-san, you said we should wait for news of Emperor Hirohito's death, that it was a turning point. But this matter..."

"It should be soon!"

Naoki Nagayama pondered for a moment, then remembered that in his previous life, Hirohito had passed away on January 7th, which was tomorrow!

I wonder if there will be any butterfly effect or something like that~

"In short, we need to be prepared to postpone the release date of 'Sorry, I Love You' to a month later!"

"Hey, I understand that."

Yoshimura Otomo nodded, then thought of another program and felt somewhat worried.

"But what about 'Neon Voice'? That show is going to air its final battle at the beginning of the year!"

"Ah, this."

Generally speaking, a program cannot span the new year, but this time "Neon Voice" is a little different. It also created the first real-time popularity chart in Japan, which involved a lot of effort and influence.

That's why the final suspense was set at the beginning of the year!

Actually, it's to maintain the momentum and make the real-time popularity chart an important list this year.

Naoki Nagayama said:

"Akina seems to be going to record the final results!"

"So Akina-chan really won after all?"

"Team Ha won. But they're not number one on the popularity chart anymore!"

Naoki Nagayama shook his head.

"Because I didn't participate in the Kohaku Uta Gassen or the Japan Record Awards, I can't compare to Seiko-san."

The entertainment industry is cruel; less exposure naturally leads to a drop in popularity, which is unavoidable. It's just that Akina doesn't care much about such empty fame these days.

Yoshimura Otomo joked:

"There's nothing we can do about it. Unless Akina-chan significantly increases her workload again."

"It's probably not going to work. Ren-chan is eight months pregnant and is starting to experience separation anxiety. Even when Akina turns her back to do something, he cries!"

"Huh? Is she this clingy?"

"Perhaps being away for a few days during the New Year period triggered his emotions."

Naoki Nagayama hadn't expected this either; everything was fine before the vacation.

"It'll be better when you're older~"

"Um"

"So what are your other plans for this year?"

Yoshimura Hirotomo steered the conversation back to the main topic.

What movie is Naoki-san planning to make?

"There aren't many choices."

Naoki Nagayama scratched his head.

"I can make sequels to commercial films like 'Jurassic Park 2' and 'Fast & Furious 2' as long as I go back and refine the scripts. My current plan is to make a maximum of two films a year!"

He looked at Yoshimura Daitomo:

"Otomo-san, the other projects depend on the directors we train!"

"Yes, that's true."

These are all large film production companies; they can't rely on Naoki Nagayama alone. They need to work on multiple projects together.

"Then there was the website that was planned before the new year; the special effects company wanted to try building it."

"Spend the rest of your time with your family!"

Naoki Nagayama was somewhat moved.

"Children really grow up in the blink of an eye. Their 'best before' period doesn't last many years!"

"."

Yoshimura Daitomo didn't know what to say about his friend's old-fashioned mentality, but he was probably quite envious. He had completely forgotten what his son looked like when he was a child!

"And there are some arrangements with TreeFriend Capital as well."

Naoki Nagayama is no longer worried about falling back into poverty; he should be able to cut off all the tentacles reaching out to him this year.

"In short, I'm quite busy!"

"Yes, yes, Naoki-san is the busiest!"

"."

At the Fujita Museum of Art in Osaka, Sasuke Fujita is touring the museum’s artworks with Shinzo Yamamoto, the head of the financial credit department of Norinchu Bank in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Yoshiteru Kanai, chairman of the Shizuoka Agricultural Cooperative Association, was also present.

"Minister Yamamoto, this Yao Bian Jian ware is one of only three complete Song Dynasty Jian ware pieces currently known."

Fujita Sasuke pointed to a Yao Bian Jian ware tea bowl and introduced it.

"Looking down from above, it's like seeing the universe!! Extremely rare."

Upon hearing this, Shinzo Yamamoto stood on tiptoe and looked down from above, only to see that the inside of the Jianzhan (a type of ancient Chinese tea bowl) resembled a shooting star in the night sky.

"Yes, absolutely wonderful!!"

Shinzo Yamamoto nodded in satisfaction.

"The Fujita Art Museum truly has many rare treasures!"

"These are all works of art collected over generations!!"

The two chatted amiably, discussing everything from Jian ware to Buddha statues. Anyone who didn't know them would think they were old friends! But in reality, they only met because of this scheme.

Shinzo Yamamoto came to this art museum in Osaka at the invitation of Yoshiteru Kanai!

After enjoying the sights to the fullest, the three of them went to the reception room, where fragrant tea was served, and then they began to discuss serious matters.

"Chief Yamamoto!"

Yoshiteru Kanai had a smile on his face.

Regarding the loan I mentioned to you before.

"One billion. That's no small sum!"

Shinzo Yamamoto spoke with caution. Even the headquarters of the Norinchu Bank rarely approves such a large loan, let alone a branch.

"Especially this year, the Japanese central bank has already hinted that it will reduce the amount of loans allocated to real estate projects!"

"Of course I know that."

Yoshiki Kanai laughed.

"But for Chief Yamamoto, the quota is definitely easier to adjust!"

"Well"

Shinzo Yamamoto wore a smug look on his face; he had indeed managed to get the quota adjusted from headquarters.

"Moreover, the Fujita family's project has a promising future!"

Yoshiteru Kanai continued to persuade him,

"The properties mortgaged this time, apart from the mountainous areas of Shizuoka Prefecture, are all located in prime locations in various cities and are of very high value."

"But I've heard that land prices are going to fall in the next few years! If the collateral isn't valuable enough, I'll be in trouble."

"Hahaha~"

Fujita Sasuke interjected with a smile,

"Minister Yamamoto, how could the real estate market be declining?!"

Even if it falls, it will rise again!! Everyone needs a place to live!!

This era has not yet experienced a bubble burst, and everyone believes that housing prices will continue to rise. Even those in the financial system are dependent on real estate revenue.

"And even if the collateral depreciates, you can ask the lender to increase the collateral or withdraw the loan! Just let the Yongshan family auction off their assets!"

"By then, the money will already be in our project, so we can treat it as if it has already been spent."

"We'll use this money to buy their assets at a low price."

"."

Yoshiteru Kanai made no attempt to hide his thoughts; his acquaintance was Shinzo Yamamoto, who already knew about the plan!

Shinzo Yamamoto had naturally conducted due diligence on the borrowers for this loan.

"But what about the Nagayama family's reaction?"

Fujita Sasuke scoffed:

"They're just whitewashed gangsters, and they've even disbanded their organization. What are they afraid of?!"

"These properties deserve to be managed by more suitable people!"

To justify seizing family business with such righteous indignation is the arrogance of long-established chaebol families.

"But doesn't the Nagayama family also have Nagayama Naoki, or Itsuki-yu?"

"TreeFriends Capital is out of money too; it's all been invested in long-term government bonds!"

Fujita Sasuke laughed.

"The money overseas can't be brought back for the time being. We don't have any money to lend to the Shimizu Nagayama family!"

"Chief Yamamoto, you should know that the real target of this attack on the Nagayama family and the Juyu Group is someone else. We are merely weakening the Nagayama family's power!"

"Is there someone else?"

I've never heard of Shinzo Yamamoto.

"So, we're just a small part of a larger plan?"

"Haha, that's absolutely true. One move affects the whole situation. We're just getting started in mobilizing our tree friends!"

Fujita Sasuke nodded.

"There's no danger. It's just a matter of taking over an asset."

"Tsk tsk tsk, that's really rugged."

"As long as it makes money, that's fine!"

Fujita Sasuke didn't care at all.

"Chief Yamamoto, when you leave later, I'll take the liberty of giving you the Buddha statue from the museum that you've been looking at for so long!"

"This won't do!!"

"Haha, it's just a gift exchange between friends!"

Fujita Sasuke blinked.

"It's just a 'craft item' anyway! I'll have Kanai-san buy it back when Mr. Yamamoto gets tired of it!"

The so-called value of artworks is simply a matter of inflating prices to sell at low prices, then reselling them several times at higher prices, thus laundering the money through an unspeakable transaction.

"Haha, thank you so much!!"

At this moment, Yoshiteru Kanai interjected:

"Mr. Yamamoto, what do you think of that loan?"

"For loans, the collateral still needs to be rigorously appraised!"

Shinzo Yamamoto's words were righteous and stern.

"I estimate it won't be approved until at least the end of the month!! You also need to get the holders to complete the procedures as soon as possible!"

"Hi"

"The end of the month is almost here!"

The three people in the waiting room were very satisfied!

After seeing Yamamoto Shinzo off onto the plane, Kanai Yoshiteru asked Fujita Sasuke:

"Fujita-san, regarding the actions taken against Akito in Tokyo, besides those in the entertainment industry, who else is involved?"

"I'm not entirely sure about the specifics!"

Fujita Sasuke shook his head. This attack on the Tree Friends was just a loose alliance, mainly composed of the Ayukawa Zaibatsu, but so far, they didn't seem to have made a move.

Those who have already taken action include the Fujita family, centered in Shizuoka, targeting the assets of Nagayama Kumahara and Nagayama Kaede; and Sony in the entertainment industry, targeting Itsuki's artist resources.

I heard that they've also made moves in the political arena. Kishida Fumio, from the Kishida family, which is on good terms with the Ayukawa zaibatsu, directly obstructed the budget for the cultural nation-building strategy, forcing Doi Tagako to increase fundraising from Juyu Capital. This directly led to Juyu Capital purchasing 1000 billion yen in government bonds, depleting its working capital.

There have been some moves in the financial sector, but it seems there has been little progress.

I have a feeling that Ayukawa Yaichi doesn't seem to be taking this matter seriously.

"Anyway, once the tree friend shows a weakness, they definitely won't let him go!"

"I see."

Yoshiteru Kanai and Sasuke Fujita talked as they walked.

Finally, Yoshiteru Kanai said:

"By the way, Fujita-san, we need to meet with Nagayama Kumahara and Nagayama Kaede! Otherwise, there will definitely be questions about this deal!"

"Ha, of course. After all, to seize someone's family business, you have to meet them first!"

Fujita Sasuke already looked down on this abandoned mafia, so going to see them even once was already a great favor.

"I hope it won't be too rude!"

"Both father and son were indeed very rough and rugged."

"Hahaha, you brute!"

"."

Inside the Prime Minister's official residence in Tokyo.

Shuichi Itō walked out of the "Cultural Policy Research Office" late at night.

It's almost midnight!

Since the start of the project, he has been staying in the office, organizing the relevant handover materials. After that, it will be handed over to Matsuno Kazuma and Tagami Masayuki. In the new year, he will be taking up a position at the Agency for Cultural Affairs!

Upon reaching the familiar smoking area, Itō Shuichi was surprised to find an acquaintance there: the Prime Minister's secretary, Kawabata Jutsuto, was smoking.

"Kawabata-san!"

Shuichi Itō stepped forward to greet him.

"Still not off work? Is Doi-san still in the office? Are you working overtime?"

Even the prime minister doesn't work 24/7!

"Ugh"

Kawabata Juto sighed.

"It started at the beginning of the year because Emperor Hirohito is seriously ill, and it's basically this month now. So the Prime Minister must be on standby at any time to witness the enthronement ceremony."

"Huh? This?"

Shuichi Itō also took out a swallow, and asked with some surprise,

"Can't this be done at home too?"

"No way! This is an attitude problem!"

Kawabata Juto shook his head.

"If this were before the war, the Prime Minister would even have to stand guard at the Imperial Household Agency overnight."

"Uh, this is so troublesome."

Shuichi Itō took a drag of his cigarette and said nonchalantly,

"He's just an old man."

"Shhh!!"

Kawabata Juto quickly stopped him, glancing left and right.

"Shuichi-san, you can't say that if you want to continue your career in politics!!"

While the Japanese political scene appears to be dominated by the left wing, there are quite a few right-wing forces that value tradition, and some even hold significant influence!

Even Doi Tagako was forced to take Emperor Hirohito's death seriously.

"."

Shuichi Itō sighed.

"It seems that Japan still has a long way to go before it becomes truly modern!"

"Haha. This is where you guys, Xiu-san, will have to completely transform the Japanese people culturally!"

The two chatted for a while in the smoking area, and just as Itō Shuichi was about to take his leave, Tagako Doi suddenly rushed out of her office!

"Kawabata!! Kawabata!!"

Hi, I'm here!

Kawabata Juto quickly ran over.

"What happened to Doi-san?"

"Prepare the car! We're heading to the Imperial Household Agency!!"

Doi Tagako said loudly,

"The Emperor has ascended to the throne!!!"

"ha?!!!"

The thing we were just talking about suddenly happened, and even Kawabata Juto was a little caught off guard!

Doi Tagako scolded:

"Get the car moving! What are you standing there for?"

Then I saw Shuichi Itō standing next to me, equally surprised.

"Shuichi-san, what are you doing here?"

"Oh, I'm working overtime."

"."

Such a serious reason left Doi Tagako speechless for a moment, and she was even a little moved. After a two-second pause, Doi Tagako subconsciously said:

"Perfect timing. We might need some manpower, and you'll be in charge of culture from now on. Come with me to the Imperial Household Agency!"

"This"

Somewhat confused, Shuichi Itō ended up sitting in the Prime Minister's car.

Seriously, the procedures following the Emperor's death have been rehearsed so many times, what would be the point of having an outsider like him?!

(End of this chapter)