Rebirth Tokyo 1986

Chapter 362 Gaining the Initiative
Five cities were quickly selected, with some having three production lines and others only one, all located in second- or third-tier coastal cities.

"Well, our company took environmental protection into consideration, which is why we placed it in a nearby city."

"Yes, yes, I understand, okay, no problem."

"Okay, bye!"

As Takeshita Masato hung up the phone, he couldn't help but shake his head helplessly.

He didn't expect that a few battery factories would alarm the managers of cities like Shanghai and Beijing.

"Sigh, we still need to increase productivity; we're treating even a few battery factories as a major undertaking."

It's just a few battery production lines; let alone the mayor, even the district head in later years might not care.

However, it was 1994, and Shanghai had just completed the restructuring of some enterprises, resulting in many workers being transferred to other sectors of society.

Let alone battery factories with some technological content, Shanghai wouldn't even look down on the more polluting foreign waste industry.

Unemployment has already emerged; ensuring people's basic needs for food and clothing is the most important thing.

Shanghai reacted the fastest, followed by Beijing and Guangzhou, cities where Xinghai Group operates.

That afternoon, a long-distance international call came to his office.

"Okay, no problem, don't worry."

"Well, sir, you're busy now. Goodbye!"

After finishing all the calls, Masato Takeshita simply called Chambers and Yoshiaki Takayama back to his office.

"The manager over there called, so we need to change the location of our factory."

“We will build one battery factory each in Beijing, Shanghai, and Guangzhou. The Shanghai factory will house four production lines, while the other two cities will each have three production lines.”

The leaders of the three cities all spoke of their desire for a battery factory, and the young people went along with it.

Putting aside everything else, the land occupied by the battery factory alone will become a huge fortune in the future.

Whether batteries will be profitable is unknown, but the factory will definitely make a fortune by relocating and selling the land in the future.

"Yes, President!"

The two exchanged a glance, then bowed happily in unison to accept the order.

It's always better to locate a factory in a big city than in a relatively remote area.

Investing one or two hundred million dollars in a battery factory is a minor matter. After giving a brief explanation, Masato Takeshita left the two of them to their own devices.

His top priority now is Xinghai Investment's major stock market retreat.

"So, how much profit have you made so far?"

"The six foreign investment funds have already made a profit of more than $560 billion, and the total profit is expected to exceed $700 billion."

Currently, the six zodiac-based private equity hedge funds have sold off most of their shares.

Excluding the initial capital held, and without considering subsequent sales, the profit is already 460 billion.

Even if all six zodiac-themed funds' stocks become junk stocks tomorrow, Xinghai Investment will still make a fortune.

"Great, let's leak the news to our clients and make everyone happy."

"Yes, President!"

The fund liquidation plan is nearing completion, and even if major investors find out about it, the impact will not be significant.

Since the chairman was so excited to tell the investors in advance, Jiaben Longzheng was naturally not foolish enough to spoil his fun.

"Did my personal funds and those of company employees sell according to my requirements?"

Masato Takeshita's personal fund and the company's employee fund also adopted a diversified management model, not putting all their investments in one basket. As a result, some of the stocks have also entered a loss-making state.

With this fund liquidation, Xinghai Investment has also sold off these shares.

"They've all been sold. Does the chairman have any plans to buy more?"

"Yes, buy US and European tech stocks."

In the 1990s, the world was in a period of rapid development in emerging technologies. Buying technology stocks generally yielded good results.

Of course, you shouldn't just buy from one company; it's best to diversify your investments.

If you don't know how to buy, you can directly buy an index that guarantees a profit.

Are these the companies?

Masato Takeshita took the list of technology companies handed to him by Takamasa Kamoto, glanced at it, and said with approval.

"That's right, but you can also try buying a small amount of shares in emerging companies."

"I've tentatively set the target at $5 million, and the same goes for the employee fund. You can decide for yourselves how to buy and sell at that time."

While stocks of companies like Intel and Nokia are indeed good, you shouldn't only buy stocks of these large companies.

Xinghai Investment also cannot be absent from newly listed small companies.

This way, the types of investments will be more diverse, and it will be less likely to expose flaws.

"Yes, understand."

Jiabenlong is very happy because there are funds available for employees to practice and improve their skills.

It would be even better if we could discover a few excellent traders in this process.

Most clients are notified by Takashi Kamoto, but a small number of clients require notification by Masato Takeshita.

The first person he visited was former Japanese Prime Minister Takeshita Noboru.

"Takeshita-senpai, I'm bothering you again today. I hope I haven't disturbed your rest."

"You're too kind, Junior Yaren. I'm currently free, so there's no question of disturbing you."

After exchanging a few pleasantries, the two chatted as they walked into the reception room.

"Naoko, brew a pot of tea."

"Yes, I'll go right away."

Naoko Takeshita was Noboru Takeshita's second wife, and his first wife in the true sense of the word.

Because Takeshita Noboru's first wife was a marriage his parents hastily arranged during World War II to prevent their son from being without a proper foundation.

After all, it's a battlefield; swords and spears have no eyes.

As a result, nothing happened to the college student who was forcibly conscripted into the Japanese army from Waseda University in 44, but his wife was strafed and killed by American pilots while doing farm work.

Because of this incident, Takeshita Noboru was fundamentally opposed to the United States.

But because of this incident, he may have been traumatized and only dared to oppose it in secret.

"I'm sorry to trouble you, Auntie."

"Not at all, you're too kind, junior."

Naoko Takeshita was also a graduate of Waseda University and provided much assistance to Takeshita Noboru during his political career.

Takeshita Noboru was able to become a member of the Shimane Prefecture assembly thanks in part to Takeshita Naoko, a typical virtuous wife.

After serving tea and snacks, Naoko Takeshita thoughtfully withdrew from the living room, closing the door behind her for the two of them.

She went to the living room to keep watch and prevent anyone from disturbing the two of them.

Masato Takeshita didn't immediately talk to his senior about making money; instead, he planned to discuss the domestic political situation first.

As they chatted, the topic turned to the prime minister's seat.

"Senior, who are you planning to nominate for the position of Prime Minister of Japan next?"

"Our chances are slim; it's likely that a non-party member will become prime minister."

Japan's economy is still in a mess, and those with prestige within the Liberal Democratic Party are unwilling to take over, while those who are willing lack the strength to do so.

In addition, the opposition is strong, so the Liberal Democratic Party will remain in opposition.

"Oh, doesn't the Liberal Democratic Party want to come to power?"

"Yes, everyone wants to wait a little longer."

Maintaining its position as the opposition party is a consensus among the various factions within the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP). Doing so has four main advantages.
First: It further exacerbates internal divisions within the coalition ruling parties.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) is too powerful; only a united opposition can counter it. However, each united party has its own interests, and internal strife will inevitably intensify once they secure the prime minister's seat.

The Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) wants to use the fierce infighting among the major parties to eliminate the opposition once and for all.

Of course, that's unlikely.

Even if the problem cannot be solved once and for all, the Liberal Democratic Party hopes that the opposition will not be able to rise again for decades.

Second, eliminate the public's impression of the Liberal Democratic Party's corrupt politics.

The Liberal Democratic Party's frequent scandals involving corruption have severely damaged the party's image among the public.

But it's okay, time heals all wounds.

Several years have passed, and new hot topics have emerged in people's minds, so they are less likely to dwell on this issue.

Third, keep the new prime minister under pressure so that the public remembers the good qualities of the Liberal Democratic Party.

Japan's economic problems cannot be solved in the short term. But people need to make a living, so they will direct their resentment towards the prime minister.

In other words, the Liberal Democratic Party's opposition will bear the brunt of the economic crisis.

At that time, the Liberal Democratic Party could more easily regain the prime minister's seat.

Japan made great strides forward during the Liberal Democratic Party's rule. Although there have been some minor setbacks in recent years, the good times have outweighed the bad.

Unlike the opposition party, which argues endlessly every day and can't manage the economy at all.

Fourth, it allows them to shirk responsibility.

If the Liberal Democratic Party doesn't come to power now, the blame for Japan's poor economic performance can be shifted to the opposition. And even if the Liberal Democratic Party regains the prime minister's position, they can take preventative measures when it comes to economic development.

It's all the fault of those political parties for messing things up, which has made the Japanese economy a mess.

We are currently in the foundational stage, and it will take some time before we see results.

In short, it's all the opposition's fault.

"Then, should we continue to let the opposition become the new prime minister?"

It is a widely acknowledged fact among Japan's upper class that the current Prime Minister, Tsutomu Hata, has not served long.

Everyone knows that a new prime minister will be elected, but no one knows who will be chosen.

"No, this time we want to become the ruling party again, only the prime minister will not be us."

"Coalition government?"

“That’s right, we can also find a political party to form a coalition government.”

Leaders of the Liberal Democratic Party, including Takeshita Noboru, have reached a consensus to lure an opposition party out of the coalition cabinet with the promise of the prime minister's seat.

This would both reduce the political strength of the opposition coalition government and eliminate parties that couldn't resist the lure of the prime minister's seat.

Because the political foundation of the opposition party is its opposition to the Liberal Democratic Party (LDP), if it chooses to cooperate with the LDP when its chances of securing the prime minister's seat are in jeopardy, it will definitely lose a large number of public support.

"A very good choice, allowing for flexibility in both advancing and retreating."

Takeshita Masato thought to himself, "As expected of a party that has been in power for so long, their tactics are ruthless and can be described as a fatal blow."

Small parties may only have this one chance in their lifetime to reach the top, so it's hard for them to refuse.

Besides, even if this one doesn't agree, the next one will most likely agree. There are eight major opposition parties in total; the Liberal Democratic Party can always find one willing to cooperate.

Having clarified the political landscape for next year, Masato Takeshita no longer cared about political issues.

He smiled and congratulated him, saying, "Senior, our fund has entered its final stage and is still making several times its initial investment."

"If you have a plan, you can start planning now, and we will complete the liquidation in August."

Xinghai Investment's moves were too big to be kept secret from those who were interested. As early as April of this year, Takeshita Noboru had already received relevant information.

Even so, Takeshita Noboru was still very happy, as this was official confirmation.

"Oh, can I inject all the funds again?"

"No problem, it would be an honor for our fund."

Fund units are indeed limited, but some people can't refuse them.

Takeshita Noboru was one of them.

"Forget it, I won't embarrass you."

Takeshita Noboru is well aware of the popularity of the Xinghai Fund.

Even he, a former prime minister, has people who indirectly want him to help them make connections.

Being too greedy will put your juniors in a difficult position.

"It's alright, the company will be setting up 12 private equity hedge funds in October. You can invest with confidence, senior."

Takeshita Noboru's eyes lit up. "Oh, okay, I'll double my bet next time."

"No problem, all set."

After stabilizing Takeshita Noboru, Takeshita Masato then went to Obuchi Keizo's house.

“The data from Xinghai Fund is very impressive; it has already made a profit of over 5 trillion yen.”

"Wow, junior is really amazing, he already has so many."

"Hehe, it's mainly because the employees are very capable."

Ignoring his junior's modesty, Keizo Obuchi changed the subject and asked...

"Why were we notified so far in advance this year? Did something happen?"

"It's nothing, I just wanted to let everyone know in advance so that everyone can plan their fund allocation. That way, when the fund raises funds again, everyone won't be unsure how much to invest."

Keizo Obuchi was clever. He tentatively pushed up his glasses and asked, "Oh, you mean I can put in more?"

"That's right, the fund size will double next year."

“Okay, then I’ll double the size too.”

There are too few legitimate ways to make money, so you can't let any opportunity slip by. Especially projects like Xinghai Fund, which generate tens of percent in profit every year.

Yes, the Star Fund's profit margin has dropped to around 50%.

Even so, it is still an extremely exaggerated number.

After all, the size of Xinghai Fund is what it is; even a 10% annual growth rate would be quite remarkable.

"Don't you want more?"

"No, there are still so many organizations and individuals involved."

The Starry Sea Fund has a limited number of units, and Keizo Obuchi is worried that taking too many would provoke hostility from major domestic organizations.

He heard that when Xinghai Fund holds its investment conference again this year, major organizations that weren't originally involved, such as agricultural cooperatives and Japanese health insurance companies, will also get involved.

It's so profitable, no one can resist anymore.

In fact, this is true not only for Japan, but also for the United States.

It is expected that this year, representatives of major financial groups such as Morgan and Rockefeller, as well as various pension funds, union funds, and university endowments in the United States, will all be looking to get involved.

"Indeed, the agricultural cooperative and the medical insurance department have called me many times. This year, I must have a certain share."

The repeated attacks from large organizations were also a major factor in the expansion of Xinghai Fund.

Xinghai Group simply couldn't withstand the pressure and had no choice but to compromise.

“Happy troubles.”

"That's right, everyone has their own troubles."

After visiting a group of politicians, Masato Takeshita also spoke with the presidents of various universities.

The third phase of the Xinghai Foundation project will also see universities double their size.

With finances becoming increasingly tight, everyone is waiting for the Xinghai Foundation to distribute funds.

(End of this chapter)