Rebirth Tokyo 1986

Chapter 352 The Company Must Root It in the Local Area

After finishing his work in Shanghai, Masato Takeshita decided to spend a few days with his lover before heading to Beijing to sign the final contract.

"Want to go outside and enjoy the evening breeze?"

In late June, the temperature in Shanghai was already quite high.

But even more unbearable than the high temperatures is the plum rain season in the Yangtze River basin from June to July. The air is not only highly humid, but also extremely muggy.

If it weren't for the air conditioning, it would be very uncomfortable both inside and outside the house.

However, pregnant women shouldn't always be exposed to air conditioning and fans, so Masato Takeshita decided to take advantage of the rare sunny weather today to stroll around with his lover.

Lin Qingqian was tempted, but after thinking about the child in her belly, she reluctantly shook her head and refused.

"I'd better not. Going out now would only cause trouble for myself and others."

The young man touched his girlfriend's belly and coughed awkwardly twice.

"Ahem, that's true. Let's take a walk in the yard then."

"okay."

Masato Takeshita's villa in Shanghai is quite nice, about the size of two farmhouses in the plains. The front and back yards alone are about one and a half acres.

The only difference is that the front and back yards of a farmhouse are for vegetables and grains, while the young people's gardens are traditional Chinese gardens composed of elements such as rockeries, pavilions, and ponds.

"The weather here isn't very good. How about we go to Chengde to escape the heat first, and come back after the rainy season ends?"

"No, I don't think it's necessary to make a fuss. It'll be over soon."

The girl casually responded while looking down and playing with the goldfish by the pond.

"Okay, it's up to you."

The young man looked at the goldfish, which was as fat as a pig, and wanted to stop it, but in the end he gave up.

The most important thing is for the girl to be happy; it's okay if the goldfish is a little chubby.

Traditional gardens in the Jiangnan region emphasize creating a scene at every step, making countless landscapes within a small space.

Therefore, even though the courtyard was less than one acre in size, the two of them still spent more than two hours walking around it completely.

"It's getting a bit cold, let's go back inside and rest."

Lin Qingqian also felt the coolness in the air, and she took her lover's arm and responded softly.

"okay."

Lin Qingqian didn't like playing video games, so the young man accompanied her to watch romance dramas in the living room.

At that moment, the TV was showing "Tokyo Love Story," which tells the story of a poor country boy struggling in Tokyo.

The overall atmosphere was positive and uplifting, filled with the belief that hard work leads to success.

Although Masato Takeshita has never watched this drama series, he doesn't know when it was released.

However, the era can be determined simply from the storyline.

This is definitely a TV series set in the late stages of Japan's bubble economy, or right after the bubble burst, when people were still indulging in a dream.

Because in contemporary Japan, television dramas no longer portray a world where humans can conquer nature. Even workplace dramas are filled with a melancholic atmosphere.

With so many people unemployed in society, the employment rate for college graduates is less than 60%.

If a TV series portrays a positive and uplifting message that hard work leads to success, it simply won't win over the audience.

"Do you think it looks good?"

"Yes, it's very interesting. I've wanted to watch this show for a long time."

The girl kept her eyes glued to the screen, not even glancing at her lover, as if afraid of missing a single detail of the story.

"Oh, I see. Then let's watch two more episodes tonight. And then we'll finish them together over the next few days."

"Yeah, okay."

The girl happily squinted her eyes into slits, then snuggled close to her lover.

She knew her boyfriend didn't really like watching urban dramas. Watching them with her this time was the greatest expression of his love for her.

"It's so beautiful. I wonder when we'll be as developed as Tokyo."

The young man smiled slightly and affectionately pinched his girlfriend's cheek.

"No need to be sentimental, it will happen very soon. I estimate that in another ten years or so, Shanghai's infrastructure level will be comparable to Tokyo's. In another twenty years, Shanghai's infrastructure level may even surpass Tokyo's."

"The infrastructure level of developing countries is always better than that of developed countries. Doesn't Tokyo, Japan, look more developed than cities like New York and London?"

After listening, the girl thought about it carefully and realized it was true. Tokyo's infrastructure was significantly better than that of London and New York.

However, I still find it hard to believe how long it has been.

"Ten or twenty years?"

"Yes, trust me, I won't make a wrong judgment."

Afterwards, Masato Takeshita explained to his girlfriend in detail why he made this judgment.

Japan experienced rapid economic growth in the 1950s and 60s, with GDP growth rarely falling below 10%. Even in the 1970s and 80s, when GDP growth slowed, it still managed to maintain an average growth rate of over 5%.

South Korea is in a similar situation, having been in a phase of rapid economic growth since the mid-60s.

Hong Kong Island and Taiwan follow similar development models.

"As Asian countries with Confucian culture, our economic development exhibits a convergent evolutionary phenomenon similar to that of animals."

"And after so many years of opening up to the outside world, China's GDP has been growing at a high rate of over 10%."

"It is only natural to conclude that Chinese cities will become more and more beautiful as GDP grows."

Lin Qingqian never expected that she could learn about the country's economic development patterns from a cultural perspective.

But thinking about it carefully, it does make a lot of sense.

National development is always influenced by cultural traditions, which determine a country's future.

As for the other two countries in East Asia.

One that is temporarily constrained by the times and political factors, but even so, it has strong military capabilities.

Another one initially belonged to a nomadic culture, but later became a hybrid of nomadic and Soviet cultures, and was not a Confucian country at all.

On the contrary, there are two Confucian cultural countries in Southeast Asia.

One is Singapore, which is very well developed and has a beautiful city.

The other one is Vietnam, which has great potential and has the opportunity to develop in the future.

"Alright, remember, have confidence in your country. I firmly believe that the 21st century will be an era of revival for the countries on the western Pacific coast."

After a lively discussion of some grand topics, the young people quickly returned to the present.

"You should keep an eye on White Rabbit and Zheng Guanghe from time to time. You're Chinese, so it'll be easier for you to communicate with them."

"Don't worry, I'll do it well."

"Well, it's about time. Let's go back to our room and rest."

"it is good."

Although the two slept in the same room, they did not sleep in the same bed for the sake of the fetus.

They were about 3 meters apart, so they chatted for a while and then went to sleep.

The next day, the weather was just as good as usual.

While the two were having breakfast, the young man gently asked, "Shall we go for a stroll along the Bund?"

During the day, there are security personnel, so there's no need to worry about safety issues; it's a great place to go out and relax.

"Yes, it's rare to have such nice weather."

The girl had wanted to go out for a while, so she didn't refuse.

On weekdays, the Bund isn't very crowded during the day. After all, the Bund is mainly known for its nighttime river views, which are somewhat lacking during the day.

However, this is better for both of them, to avoid any unforeseen accidents.

All good things must come to an end, and five days later the young man had to leave again.

He didn't have his lover see him off; instead, he traveled to the capital in a private plane with his subordinates.

Because of his status, this time, a high-ranking official once again personally went to the airport to greet him.

"I hope our two companies can cooperate happily."

In the capital, the differences remain significant.

If it weren't for the better impression left by Xinghai Group, and if it weren't for the mayor's insistence, the partner might very well have become Pepsi.

"Mayor Wu, please rest assured, we will definitely manage the Arctic Ocean well."

Yes, this time the young man won over the favorite of old Beijingers—Arctic Ocean Orange Flavored Soda.

The amount wasn't very large; it was more symbolic.

With the help of Arctic Ocean, the other beverage brands under Xinghai Group were able to quickly take root and flourish in Beijing.

"Well, I believe you."

Mayor Wu has great vision and genuinely trusts Xinghai Group. Unlike Pepsi, Xinghai Foods is a wholly-owned acquisition.

But in the end, it was Xinghai Foods that had the last laugh.

Of course, the fact that Beijing ultimately agreed to the acquisition was related to Xinghai Foods exposing Pepsi's strategy of hiding its products.

Selling it to PepsiCo would yield very little money, and the brand would be shelved. There's a nominal chance for a comeback, but who knows if it will actually happen?

Selling directly to Xinghai Foods would bring in a large sum of money, and the Beibingyang brand would also be promoted and developed.

Given the current circumstances, it's hard to say which side will be better in the future, but right now Xinghai Foods is definitely the first choice.

The capital city is under the emperor's nose, and Masato Takeshita did not make any rash moves. He still let the original team run the factory, only placing some people in finance, personnel, and procurement.

"General Manager Zhao, we'll be relying on you to oversee the construction of the company's new factory from now on."

"No trouble at all, no trouble at all, it's all my duty."

Zhao Wenjie was overjoyed. Not only was the factory where he had spent half his life saved, but it would also be further expanded. There couldn't be a better thing.

"Yes, we need to pay more attention to construction safety to avoid engineering accidents."

"Yes, I understand, please rest assured, Chairman."

Zhao Wenjie is very confident about safety because he plans to work for a central state-owned enterprise, whose employees are all former engineering soldiers.

Setting up civilian factories now is a piece of cake.

"That's good."

Masato Takeshita nodded in agreement, and then began to discuss the last and most important topic of the day: how to expand the Arctic Ocean soda product line.

Chinese soft drink companies all have product category issues.

The same applies to Arctic Ocean soda, which is only available in glass bottles and has an orange flavor, thus limiting its market to the local area.

The young man said straightforwardly, "The new factory will have plastic bottle filling technology, so we'll first develop our flagship orange-flavored soda. Then, taking advantage of the durability of plastic bottles for transportation, we'll distribute it directly nationwide."

"I understand, but what about marketing?"

Marketing is a major headache for many local state-owned enterprises; they simply don't know how to do it.

Masato Takeshita was well aware of this, and he directly adopted the same plan as Masahiro.

"Don't worry, Xinghai Foods will take care of the advertising and promotion of the plastic bottled soda. We only need to focus on production."

There are two major advantages to doing this.

First, the factory can focus on its core business; second, the relationship between the factory and Xinghai Foods will become increasingly close.

Of course, there are also downsides for Beibingyang Soda Factory, as it will become heavily reliant on Xinghai Foods' development in the future.

However, since the two families are now one, this can't really be considered a drawback.

"In addition to plastic bottles, the canning production line will also be introduced into the new factory. Don't forget to develop together."

"I understand, please rest assured, Chairman."

Zhao Wenjie had long wanted to develop Arctic Ocean soda in both aluminum cans and plastic bottles, but he had never had the opportunity.

Now that his chance has come, he's determined to show his skills.

"Yes, but while production should be taken seriously, research and development should be given even greater attention."

"We have too few soft drink varieties. We need to develop orange, apple, banana, and peach flavored soft drinks."

"If we make money in the future, we will also develop the production of juices from various fruits."

Each of Xinghai Foods' various soda factories needs to have its own development direction in the early stages.

Shanghai's Zhengguanghe mainly produces bottled water, purified water, and other drinking water products. Beijing's Beibingyang, on the other hand, develops fruit-flavored soft drinks and various common fruit juices.

As for Xinghai Foods' affiliated companies, they mainly develop energy drinks, tea drinks, and carbonated drinks.

Each of the three subsidiaries has its own development direction, which prevents internal strife in the early stages.

Once all three companies have grown stronger, they will reach a stage where each company has to rely on its own abilities.

Zheng Guanghe can enter the soft drink industry, and Beibingyang can sell purified water. At the same time, the two companies can also sell iced black tea and iced green tea together.

The Chinese market is so large that it cannot be monopolized by any single company.

The fierce competition among the three companies can actually increase the overall market share.

After outlining the future development direction of Arctic Ocean soda, Masato Takeshita did not linger at the factory and went straight home.

The person he longed for was in Shanghai, so even with a nanny, a cook, and a security guard, he still felt somewhat lonely.

After finishing his dinner alone, he quietly walked to the window and gazed at the night view of the capital.

However, if you look closely, you'll see that he wasn't looking out the window at all; he was thinking about something.

"If we could acquire Jianlibao, that would be perfect."

Xinghai Food Factory has firmly established itself in two of China's three most developed and three most promising regions.

In the far south, only instant noodles and energy drinks have a place.

If Xinghai Foods can acquire Jianlibao, it will be able to achieve a perfect layout in the food industry.

Unfortunately, this company is large and is in a phase of rapid growth and high profitability.

Xinghai Foods visited several times, but was politely refused each time.

Masato Takeshita unconsciously pinched his chin and continued to mutter to himself.
"Forget it, if we didn't succeed, we didn't succeed."

"With instant noodles, energy drinks, and the recently added White Rabbit candy, Xinghai Foods can still dominate the entire southern market with its other product categories."

Masato Takeshita was so confident because he had another trump card.

However, it's still early, so he plans to wait until Xinghai Foods' production capacity for various beverages increases before using them.

Besides, there's still a chance to acquire Jianlibao in the future.

This complex company needs an outsider to disrupt the balance.

As he pondered, the young man suddenly thought of a brand that only developed in the Lingnan region.

"My brain doesn't need to be fixated on Jianlibao at all; Wanglaoji seems more suitable."

Wanglaoji, a herbal tea beverage, is very suitable for the climate of the Lingnan region.

If Xinghai Foods can be acquired, it will be able to establish a firm foothold in Lingnan, which is more suitable than Jianlibao's nationwide expansion.

Takeshita Masato quickly returned to his study on the second floor to write it down, preparing to instruct his subordinates to investigate the intelligence the next day.

(End of this chapter)