Tokyo Bubble Life

Chapters 1534 and 1543: Only the most core interests can move people!

The policy of "building a nation through culture" has already brought together a large number of cabinet and political stakeholders.

Everyone knows that this national policy has a 90% chance of being passed, and that its impact will last for more than a decade. Therefore, politicians will use this policy as a qualification, officials will reserve their future benefits in advance, and various groups in the cultural industry will align themselves with the policy's core principles.

Unbeknownst to many, an alliance between the Japanese political, business, and cultural spheres has taken shape.

Once the "culture-based nation" policy is officially approved, this group can truly unite and become another political-business complex in Japan.

Although Prime Minister Tagako Doi is nominally the initiator, everyone knows that the real core of this policy is actually an office called the "Cultural Policy Research Office," which houses Shuichi Itō and the Shuyu Group behind him.

Without Shuichi Itō's leadership and the support of the tree friends behind the scenes, this design would probably take another ten years or so before it can be formally taken shape as a basic national policy in Japan.

With the final vote fast approaching, Shuichi Itō booked a high-end Japanese restaurant, gathering all the key members for a final pep talk.

"We are about to accomplish this great feat. Once the policy is approved, I assure you that I, Itō Shuichi, will not enjoy the glory all by myself!!"

On either side of a long table pieced together, sat policy researchers, young lawmakers, industry representatives, and some civil servants from the Ministry of Education—all core members of the cultural nation-building policy team.

Shuichi Itō raised his wine glass and addressed the crowd:

"Everyone, the vote is in a few days, so relax today and be your best afterwards!"

"Come on, let's do it!!"

"Xiu Yi Sang! Let's do it!" "Let's do it!!" "Just got my dad!!" "."

The atmosphere in the private room suddenly became lively, with everyone discussing the impact of the new policy after its passage.

New department, new budget, new resource allocation. Some officials in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology are already fantasizing about what kind of new car they'll get after their promotions!

After several rounds of drinks, Yoshihiko Noda clinked glasses with his fellow council members and then went to Shuichi Itō's side:

"Shuichi-san, let me toast you!!"

"OK!"

Shuichi Itō readily clinked glasses with Yoshihiko Noda, and after a sip of the yellow liquor, both of them regained a rosy complexion.

Then, looking at the young man who was with Yoshihiko Noda not far away, he asked in a low voice:

"How are things going with the young lawmakers Noda tried to recruit? The ones here are just ordinary members of the Social Democratic Party."

"Haha, Xiu-san!"

Yoshihiko Noda patted Shuichi Itō on the shoulder.

"Those famous congressmen are the type who won't act until they see results; how could they possibly make a public statement before the policy has even been passed!"

"However, these Social Democratic Party members are their close associates, which already shows their stance!"

Noda Yoshihiko refilled the glass and said with a smile.

"Shuichi-san, believe me. Once the vote is over, we can get at least ten well-known members of the Social Democratic Party to come and support us, including three members of the House of Representatives!"

Itō Osamu nodded:

"Of course I believe Noda-kun."

Then he added:

"Although I'll help you establish a new association at the celebration banquet later, if you can't manage it, there's nothing I can do."

We've already given you the title, the right to share the profits, and provided funding. If Yoshihiko Noda still can't win over a group of people, Shuichi Itō will have to consider finding someone else to support.

"I've already fixed it with the tape!"

Yoshihiko Noda is indeed very capable. With the strong support of his friends, he is now thriving among the younger generation of the Social Democratic Party and has gained a reputation among a group of bigwigs.

That's good~

Seeing how confident he was, Shuichi Itō didn't ask any more questions.

This is to help him build his faction, so of course he should be the one most concerned!

"Alright, Xiu-san, let's not talk about this anymore!"

Noda Yoshihiko smiled and said,

"Didn't we say we'd relax tonight? Where are we going next?"

"That's Roppongi, of course!!"

Haha, okay~~

"."

The Karune Club in Roppongi is very famous. The madam, Motoko Haraguchi, is very considerate, and the girls in the club are also very good at pleasing customers. The club is always packed every night, and it is very difficult to get a table.

But for Shuichi Itō, there was no such worry. He could simply book the most luxurious private room to make his core team happy.

"Ya Xiu Yi Sang! Sa Shi Bu Li!"

Upon seeing Shuichi Itō, who was leading the group, Motoko Haraguchi immediately went forward to warmly welcome him.

"It's been a long time since I last visited. I thought you'd forgotten about Karune~"

"Hahaha, how could that be!"

Shuichi Itō greeted him with a smile:

"I've been busy lately, so I came over as soon as I had some free time."

"And they brought so many people with them!"

Motoko Haraguchi greeted everyone who came. There were a few unfamiliar faces, but many were familiar guests. Among them was a member of parliament, Yoshihiko Noda, who hadn't been there for a long time!

For a time, Yoshihiko Noda was full of confidence and believed that as a young, powerful politician, he should be supported by businessmen, so he became a little estranged from his friend.

Then he discovered he was completely stuck in Tokyo, unable even to get credit from the club. That's when he realized he had no connections whatsoever. After recognizing his true situation, he quickly reconciled with his friends.

However, during this time, the fact that the Carune club wouldn't let him put his money on credit was humiliating, so he didn't come to the club much after that. But unexpectedly, he came here again with Itō Shuichi this time!

"Noda-kun, it's been a long time."

Motoko Haraguchi greeted Yoshihiko Noda with a smile. She had remained behind the scenes last time and hadn't actually fallen out with him.

"I thought you had forgotten me!"

"Haha, how could that be?"

Sensing Motoko Haraguchi's closeness, Yoshihiko Noda replied with a smile.

"Just busy. Just busy."

"As expected of a very busy senator!"

With so many people around, Motoko Haraguchi couldn't just talk to Yoshihiko Noda alone. The matter of finding Yoshihiko Noda that she wanted to discuss could only be addressed gradually.

Led by Motoko Haraguchi, the group arrived at a VIP room and invited the restaurant's most popular hostess to accompany them. She even sang a song with them, demonstrating her commitment to doing everything personally.

When she came out halfway through, another popular figure in the club, Keiko Yamada, approached her with a beaming smile:

"Is the person in the yurt room at the far end a distinguished guest of the tree enthusiasts?! Could you introduce me to them?"

"."

Motoko Haraguchi squinted at her. This girl was really shameless. She was competing with her for the position of madam, yet she could still so naturally ask me to introduce her to important guests!

"Oh dear, that won't do. Shuichi-san doesn't like unfamiliar faces! There are already enough people in the private room!"

"Haha, what are you saying, Haraguchi-san?"

Keiko Yamada was about to walk past her to go inside.

"In Roppongi clubs, what customer doesn't like something new! Maybe Shuichi is just too shy to ask!"

"Since Mr. Haraguchi doesn't want to introduce me, I'll introduce myself then~"

Anyway, she already has the support of the club's financial backer, so she's not afraid to steal customers at all!

Motoko Haraguchi stood in front of her, her eyes sharp:

"I said, there are already enough people inside!! Keiko Yamada, don't embarrass our club!"

"."

Seeing Haraguchi Motoko's determined look, Yamada Keiko stopped in her tracks. She didn't want to cause any bad news at the club, after all, she was going to be responsible for running the club in the future!

"Haha, since Haraguchi-san is keeping such a close watch, I'll let it slide this time."

As he spoke, he turned to leave, but then turned back to Motoko Haraguchi and said:

"But Mr. Haraguchi, one day you'll have to give me the guest list!"

"You wish!"

"Hahaha~"

Watching Keiko Yamada's retreating figure, Motoko Haraguchi's expression turned grave. Indeed, if the sugar daddy didn't change his mind soon, he would definitely let Keiko Yamada take over step by step!

"Looks like I can't take it slow anymore. Tonight I need to get Yoshihiko Noda to promise to back me up in front of my sugar daddy!"

Thinking of this, Motoko Haraguchi stopped her plan to greet the other guests, went to the restroom to touch up her makeup, put on her most gentle smile again, and went back into the private room. She then asked the other girl to move aside and sat down next to Yoshihiko Noda!

This naturally attracted the attention of the other guests present. Itō Shuichi even smiled; he was aware of the "rumored affair" between Haraguchi Motoko and Noda Yoshihiko.

"It seems that Haraguchi-san prefers Noda-kun!"

"Oh ho~" "Hahaha~" "After all, Noda-kun is young and promising!" "."

The others joined in the banter, making the atmosphere in the private room even more ambiguous. No one was angry; it was just a chance encounter.

The main character in the conversation, Yoshihiko Noda, was very proud of himself, even though he kept explaining. After all, there were other people of higher status present, but the madam chose to sit next to him, which made him feel very prestigious!

There's no way around it, men just have a weakness for this kind of thing.

The merriment in the private room continued until late at night, finally bringing this relaxing trip to an end.

Many people were drunkenly put into taxis, while Yoshihiko Noda naturally stayed overnight in Motoko Haraguchi's private room once again.

Her skin was flushed and she was drenched in sweat.

After the impulsive act, Yoshihiko Noda, now in a state of sagehood, silently lit a cigarette. He hadn't enjoyed Motoko Haraguchi's tenderness for a long time, which made him feel very relaxed. The smell of alcohol had also dissipated, and he felt refreshed.

At that moment, Motoko Haraguchi spoke up:

"Noda-kun, I've been bullied!"

"Ok?"

Noda Yoshihiko said unexpectedly,

"Who dares to bully our Madam Karune?!"

"It was a woman named Keiko Yamada."

Motoko Haraguchi accused him in a complaining tone,

"She somehow got involved with the major shareholder of Karune and wants to take the club away from me."

"."

A hand gently traced circles on Noda Yoshihiko's chest as Haraguchi Motoko recounted everything that had happened to her, then asked with a pitiful expression:

"Noda-kun, could you please put in a good word for me with the major shareholder and prevent that woman from succeeding?"

"Forehead"

At this moment, Yoshihiko Noda was on his toes. His first thought was whether he should offend the financial backer of Calune for the sake of a woman. After all, this was a private matter of their business, and it would be unreasonable for him to interfere.

Moreover, this is a crucial moment for the 'culture-based nation' policy vote, and this important matter cannot afford any risks.

"Mr. Haraguchi, it's not that I don't want to help you."

As soon as Yoshihiko Noda uttered those words, Motoko Haraguchi knew that the rest was just empty talk.

"However, I am currently at a critical juncture, and my 'culture-based nation policy' is facing a congressional vote. At this time, I cannot increase the risk."

Blah blah blah. It's all reasons! Excuses!

They just don't want to help!

Having spent so much time in nightclubs, Motoko Haraguchi knows that these men are all egoists who talk the talk but don't walk the walk!

What can move a man and get him to actually take action is only his core interests!

However, Motoko Haraguchi was just a madam; she couldn't push for policies or divide interests, and she didn't have any core interests to offer to Representative Yoshihiko Noda.

However, there's one more thing that can force a man to act: leverage over him!

Motoko Haraguchi's eyes sharpened. She got up, put on her coat, and decided to stop playing the gentle victim.

"Don't be angry, Haraguchi-san~"

Yoshihiko Noda realized that his words might have disappointed Motoko Haraguchi, so he quickly tried to comfort her.

"I really had no choice. If it weren't for the consequences, I would definitely help you!"

"."

Motoko Haraguchi, having fastened her belt, turned around, her gaze becoming increasingly menacing. If she waited any longer, Karune would be taken away.

However, her years of extravagant nightclub lifestyle had instilled in her a habit of making quick money, leaving her with almost no savings.

And after so many years in the club, all I've learned is how to please men!

She's not young anymore; she can't compete with the young girls in Roppongi. Is she destined to become a prostitute?!

No, absolutely not!!

"Noda-kun Karune is really important to me."

Motoko Haraguchi concluded with a pleading tone,

"I really can't live without the club."

"Private Marseille. At this time, news of me threatening nightclub shareholders would be extremely detrimental to policy implementation. Wait until I've handled my own affairs."

Yoshihiko Noda continued to use sweet talk, trying to brush it off with words. His tone even carried a hint of impatience!

"I can't wait any longer!"

"I'll say this loudly," said Motoko Haraguchi, then stood up and pointed to a corner of the room.

"There's a hidden camera in Noda's room!"

"???"

Yoshihiko Noda was stunned and didn't react for a moment.

"What?!"

"What do you think would happen if Bunshun published a story about a member of parliament having an affair with a sex worker, accompanied by high-definition photos and videos?"

Motoko Haraguchi said, word by word.

"What kind of impact do you think this will have on the policies led by Noda-kun?!"

"!!!"

Noda Yoshihiko felt his blood run cold, and still refusing to believe it, he pressed on with the question.

"Haraguchi-san, what are you talking about?! What photos? What videos?!"

"Noda-kun"

Originally just a nightclub madam, Motoko Haraguchi was always in a subordinate position in her relationship with Yoshihiko Noda.

However, when the threat was made, the two had already switched positions, with Motoko Haraguchi taking the upper position. At this moment, Motoko Haraguchi even felt a surge of pleasure, and her eyes looked at Yoshihiko Noda with pity!

As expected, there's a reason why the Japanese like to overthrow their superiors!

"Even the deeply entrenched Prime Minister Nakasone was embroiled in scandal and left in a sorry state, forced to bow and apologize!"

"Do you think a young legislator would have a future in politics if he were to be embroiled in an even more sensational scandal?!"

First they threatened the policies led by Yoshihiko Noda, and then they threatened him with his future.

Looking at Motoko Haraguchi in the dim light, Yoshihiko Noda felt as if he were seeing a demon!

"you!!!"

"Noda-kun, please think it over carefully!"

At this moment, Motoko Haraguchi walked out of the room like a victor.

"Help me defend the Carune Club. Then, none of this will happen!"

(End of this chapter)