Tokyo Bubble Life

Chapters 1532 and 1541, One Heart, One Body!

"Fujita?"

Naoki Nagayama scratched his head after hearing what Otomo Yoshimura said.

"We don't seem to have any conflicts with the Fujita family's financial clique, do we?!"

"The Fujita family is a local power in Osaka. The Fujita Group, which originated in the Meiji era, was a major financial conglomerate at the time."

After receiving the news from Kijima Kyō, Yoshimura Ōtomo naturally investigated the enemy thoroughly before reporting to Nagayama Naoki.

"However, since the founder's death, it has gradually become a second-rate zaibatsu. But the Hisahara family, which split off from it, has risen to become one of the top zaibatsu in Japan."

"Hitachi and Nissan were both founded by Fusanosuke Hisahara, but he later handed them over to Yoshisuke Ayukawa to manage while he went into politics. Now, they're the Ayukawa Zaibatsu."

His decision to leave business for politics was originally intended to elevate the family's status. Entrusting the company to his relative, Yoshisuke Ayukawa, was also a calculated move, hoping that with one in politics and the other in business, they could support each other and ensure the prosperity of the Hisahara family for generations to come.

Unexpectedly, after Hisahara Fusanosuke, the Hisahara family had no outstanding figures and gradually became an ordinary family. Even Nissan and Hitachi were taken over by the Ayukawa Zaibatsu.

"Tsk tsk tsk, Yoshisuke Ayukawa is really something. He actually managed to get the Fuji Group, Nissan, and Hitachi from the Yasuda and Hisahara families!"

Naoki Nagayama was amazed. This Yoshisuke Ayukawa was truly skilled, and the younger generation of the Ayukawa family was also capable.

In Japan, wealthy zaibatsu families are not static; even noble families in feudal society can decline. Although the Kuhara and Yasuda families are still wealthy, their real influence has diminished.

Upon hearing this, Yoshimura Otomo frowned deeply:

"It seems like the Ayukawa family is really in charge this time and intends to devour Naoki-san!"

"Yes, this idea probably started when they acquired Kadokawa's shares in Shuyu! And they've united many allies, wanting to collectively divide up Shuyu."

Naoki Nagayama nodded. It was impossible not to feel nervous in the face of such a powerful enemy.

Although Shuyou's wealth and influence are now comparable to some wealthy families, his foundation is still shallow.

The wealth is mainly concentrated in the financial industry, with little influence on real industries and no ties to other interest groups.

As the founder, he did not have any kinship ties with any long-established political families or wealthy clans to build a deep-rooted network of connections.

In the political arena, although the Social Democratic Party unexpectedly came to power thanks to the Licourt bribery scandal, the political arena has always been complex. Amidst the entanglement of various interests, factional leaders can easily be influenced by other financial backers.

As for their underworld connections, that's a negative factor. Legitimate wealthy families treat their organizations as fronts, never getting involved themselves.

Overall, while the tree-loving community appears incredibly prosperous on the surface, it's all superficial.

Yoshimura Daitomo had clearly considered these situations as well, and recalling the recent announcements from Shuyou Capital warning of an impending bubble, he appeared quite anxious.

"Naoki-san, it seems the Ayukawa family is still waiting for their chance."

"But if the bubble you mentioned really arrives, and the economy collapses, won't that draw more attention to tree enthusiasts? What if they unite then?"

"Then the higher-ups and the conglomerates will join forces to dismember the tree-loving people and settle the score."

The thought of his company being torn apart by wolves, like a piece of fat meat, made Yoshimura tremble.

"Hahaha~ Dismemberment? Settling accounts?!"

Upon hearing this, Naoki Nagayama laughed.

"Can tree friends settle a country's debts?!"

Yoshimura Daitomo's words made Naoki Nagayama laugh. He recalled the saying in the history of Tokyo University: "When Heshen fell, Jiaqing was well-fed." This was used to describe the extravagant corruption of the corrupt official Heshen, whose confiscation of his property could fill the national treasury of an entire dynasty.

However, while the total assets of the Shuyou family are less than 10 billion US dollars, which is a great fortune for a family, it is only a drop in the ocean compared to the size of Japan.

"That's possible!"

Yoshimura Otomo sighed and sat down on the sofa.

"When the bubble bursts, the wealthy tycoons who suffer losses won't complain about how little money they have."

"."

Naoki Nagayama rolled his eyes.

"Otomo-san, do you think that when the bubble bursts, it will be the big conglomerates and zaibatsu that suffer the losses?"

"Wrong. When the bubble bursts, ordinary people suffer the most!!"

"The chaebols have already made a fortune overseas!"

Naoki Nagayama approached Otomo Yoshimura and explained to him,

“Yuan Tai-san and I talked about the situation of Japanese capital in the US last time. Do you know how many chaebols have already sent their money to US stocks?! More than half!”

"Do you think the financial analysts that chaebol families hire at great expense every year are just sitting around doing nothing? Can't they see the irrationality of the current Japanese economy?"

"I'd already planned this! Now, while things are at their most frenzied, I'm just trying to make as much money as I can!"

"."

Upon hearing this, Yoshimura Otomo's mouth gaped slightly, somewhat surprised.

"More than half?! Have they given up on Japan?"

There's an old saying in the East: "There are only aristocratic families that last a thousand years, but no dynasties that last a thousand years."

Naoki Nagayama poured a cup of tea for Otomo Yoshimura.

"To ensure the continuation of the family business, diversifying investments and betting on both ends is essential. This reduces risk!"

In reality, during the three lost decades following the bursting of the Japanese bubble, apart from some families holding too much Japanese real estate and heavy assets who did suffer losses, the losses of the Japanese conglomerates were actually manageable.

Despite a prolonged period of economic stagnation, the overseas investment returns of Japanese conglomerates have somehow offset the decline in GDP, keeping Japan's gross national product stable. Isn't that absurd?

"."

Yoshimura Otomo silently sipped his tea without saying a word; he was still somewhat worried.

"But what about those groups that covet the interests of tree growers? They won't let go."

After all, he only became successful in middle age, and Shuyou was his only support in life. He absolutely did not want to see Shuyou fall and be devoured by other interest groups.

Seeing his old friend still looking worried, Naoki Nagayama could only offer some other suggestions to comfort him:

"Otomo-san, do you know that Yuan-tai-san's people in the joint investment circle have opened a factory in Shanghai?"

"Hi, I've heard about it. So, is the factory already up and running?"

"The site selection is complete. I estimate that the ribbon-cutting ceremony will be held soon."

Naoki Nagayama nodded.

"For this investment trip to Shanghai, we brought together partners including Nomura Securities, Daiwa Capital, and Itochu Corporation. Everyone has invested a lot in this project, and they have withdrawn funds from the stock market."

"Then, in our investments in the United States, Tree Friends Capital has already partnered with many small conglomerates."

Naoki Nagayama has made arrangements in the financial sphere, and his followers are not without allies there, so they cannot be easily moved.

Outsiders who want to target Tree Friends in these two areas will face resistance from Tree Friends alone. Those who are waiting to make money together will not allow anyone to block their path to wealth.

As for the underworld, once the "Anti-Organized Crime Law" comes into effect next year, Japanese gangs will be nothing but trash, so it's best to stay away from them as soon as possible!

"As for the political arena, Shuichi-san is already organizing a gathering. At this gathering, we will demonstrate the influence of the Tree Friends in the political arena!"

"."

"What is Shuichi-san going to do at the party?"

Yoshimura Daitomo was extremely surprised; he had never heard Shuichi mention this before!

"Ha, it seems that Xiu-san also understands the principle of secrecy and hasn't told too many people!"

Naoki Nagayama explained with a smile,

"We need to establish a new faction within the ruling party!"

Oh, so Shuichi-san has started hiding things from me too?! Can we still have fun at the club together?!

"."

After learning that Shuichi Itō intended to join forces with Yoshihiko Noda to establish an organization within the Social Democratic Party comprised of young lawmakers and party members, Otomo Yoshimura remained silent for a long time.

"Actually, it's not impossible. It would be nice to use it as the symbol of the Isshin-kai (一心会)."

"Let Shuichi-san take care of anything that can enhance the sense of collective honor!"

"Forehead"

Naoki Nagayama felt a slight itch on his head.

Filming for "Sorry, I Love You" is now underway at the filming location in Daejeon-gu.

Takuya Kimura, as a supporting actor, finally got his chance to appear, but his first scene was one of being rescued from drowning.

"It's so cold!!"

It's already late November. Although the daytime temperature is still around 10 degrees Celsius, the water is already very cold. When Takuya Kimura came out of the water, his lips were really white, and he was shivering from time to time while wrapped in a blanket.

Takuya Kimura is very competitive. He knew that this filming was a rare opportunity, so he worked very hard.

Takenouchi Yutaka works out regularly and has a relatively high resistance to low temperatures.

He took good care of this younger guy, even bringing him a kettle:

"How about it?!"

"Damn adhesive tape!"

"Um"

Looking at the trembling Takuya Kimura, Yutaka Takenouchi thought of himself when he first started working. This young man is probably even younger than he was back then!

"There's a bathroom in the crew's dressing room. I'll take a hot shower and dry myself off before coming out!"

"Arigato~"

Takuya Kimura nodded and looked towards director Tomonyuki Nishimoto.

"Are there any more underwater scenes? Do we need to reshoot them?"

"It shouldn't be like that. Director Nishimoto is a very straightforward director. If it doesn't work out, he'll say so on the spot!"

Takenouchi Yutaka comforted him.

"It won't torture the actors repeatedly. Luckily it's November; if it were a few days later, it might be even colder underwater."

"Hi"

Upon hearing this, Takuya Kimura held the thermos and remained silent; he had indeed not yet recovered.

"Take a half-hour break!"

Nishimoto Tomoyuki shouted through a megaphone,

"Actors who went into the water, go take a shower and rest. Production crew, come move the set!"

"Hi~~" XN

Just as Takenouchi Yutaka had predicted, the underwater scenes were over.

The two quickly took a hot shower and dried themselves before returning to the indoor set. However, the set wasn't finished yet, so they were able to rest a little longer.

Takenouchi Yutaka took out a cigarette and subconsciously offered it to Kimura Takuya next to him, then immediately took it back.

"Oh, you can't smoke yet."

"."

Actually, Takuya Kimura had already secretly learned it. However, he still had to maintain his image on set, because who knows where there might be cameras!

Takenouchi Yutaka lit a cigarette and started smoking. In the billowing smoke, he seemed to see the scene he had witnessed in the bar again. He hadn't told anyone else about Fukuyama Masaharu's meeting with Sony's people yet!

On one hand, Masaharu Fukuyama is a senior, and as a junior, would you believe him if he told on you like that?

On the other hand, he didn't know who to talk to. Was it director Tomonoyuki Nishimoto? Or was it assigned to his agent?

Would they even care about something like this?!

Also, wouldn't reporting him like this make him seem like a petty person?

Various concerns prevented Takenouchi Yutaka from deciding on something that was inherently harmful to others and himself.

"Takeno-senpai."

Takuya Kimura looked at Yutaka Takenouchi smoking with some confusion.

"Are you troubled?"

"Huh, you noticed?"

Takenouchi Yutaka was somewhat embarrassed, not expecting that even a teenager could see through it.

"But the senior was frowning, looking very troubled."

"."

After a few seconds of pause, Takenouchi Yutaka sighed.

"Kimura-kun, if you happen to discover a secret that might have a negative impact on certain individuals if you tell others, what do you think? Should I tell them?"

"Forehead"

Takuya Kimura suddenly felt a bit pressured; he had only mentioned it casually!

However, he still answered seriously:

"It depends on whether this secret will harm the people and things you care about!"

"Won't this hurt the feelings of those I care about?"

Takenouchi Yutaka nodded, looking at Kimura Takuya with some surprise.

"I didn't expect Kimura-kun to be so young, but he's so insightful about some things!"

"Haha. I was just thinking casually!"

Takuya Kimura scratched his head, a mixture of emotion and sadness in his eyes.

He has always been a very thoughtful person; otherwise, he wouldn't have been so determined to enter the entertainment industry. After joining Johnny's, everything he saw and heard forced him to think even more seriously.

Especially after joining SMAP, a sinister force was getting closer and closer to him, increasing the pressure on his mind.

It's good to have ideas!

Takenouchi Yutaka nodded.

"Kimura-kun, with your personality, you'll have a bright future in the entertainment industry!"

"Haha, Takeno-san is joking!"

"I'm not joking! Kimura-kun, you have excellent natural talent, and with your careful consideration, you have the potential to become famous!"

Takenouchi Yutaka shook his head, stubbed out his cigarette, and said to himself,

I should think about it more.

Looking at Nishimoto Tomoyuki, Miyazawa Rie, and the others, Takenouchi Yutaka made a decision.

He decided to tell his friend Masaharu Fukuyama about it!

After all, Shuyou is now with his agency. And the benefits and treatment have been excellent since he joined; the staff are all very friendly. He's very satisfied.

However, it would be idiotic to just go up and say, "Masaharu Fukuyama has reached an agreement with Sony and is going to transfer his company."

As an adult with work experience, Yutaka Takenouchi does not allow himself to be seen as a "whistleblower" by others!

This will have a significant impact on his future development!

"I'll find an opportunity to casually leak it out, so that the people in the firm will find out on their own!!"

(End of this chapter)