Rebirth Tokyo 1986

Chapter 394 Music Phone
As the two chatted, Masato Takeshita suddenly realized that Seikai Life also had a company that could arrange construction workers.

"Mr. Kobayashi, the logistics company that the group is about to set up needs a lot of people, which seems to solve some of the employment problems."

Logistics companies are major employers; in the initial stage, it is estimated that several thousand people will be needed.

Aside from a portion of professionals, the rest can be used to hire construction workers.

"The chairman is right, indeed, the logistics company will probably need a lot of people."

Hiroaki Kobayashi also suddenly realized this and decided to arrange logistics if possible, as the feeling of owing favors was unpleasant.

Even when working for their own company, the result is the same.

"Well, that's perfect. You can find an opportunity to let some of the more reliable and steady employees learn to drive trucks first."

"To prevent logistics companies from developing without having enough drivers."

Driving requires training, especially for large trucks.

In the early stages, Xinghai Life's other subsidiaries could borrow truck drivers, but sooner or later Xinghai Logistics will have to develop independently.

By taking this opportunity to train more employees to drive trucks, we can continue to develop normally even after employees from our sister company leave.

"No problem, I'll have my staff take care of that."

"Okay, just remember that."

The young man smiled and nodded, then found a good spot for Kobayashi Hiroaki.

"Also, the four newly established e-commerce companies will soon be short of staff, and we can also send some people there."

"Yes, I'll find an opportunity to ask."

That's what he said, but in reality, Hiroaki Kobayashi wasn't planning to go. He figured owing favors to one or two companies was enough; there was no need to ask for more.

"Okay, that's all for today. Once you've finished making the PPT, we can discuss it together at the meeting."

"Yes, understand!"

After settling things into his life with Seika, Masato Takeshita didn't have anything too urgent to do for the time being.

After thinking about it, he decided to go to Shanghai.

I haven't seen the mother and son for half a month, and I feel a kind of inexplicable longing for them.

"Hey, that's cute."

Eager to arrive at his home in Shanghai, Takeshita Masato grinned foolishly as he carefully examined Lin Xingzai, whose big eyes darted around.

Even when she occasionally wanted to get close to him, she only dared to gently touch his cheek.

Masato Takeshita was worried that because of their unfamiliarity with each other, getting too close would make the child cry.

"I didn't expect that she wouldn't cry or fuss when she wasn't sleeping."

"No way, this kind of thing is very rare."

Lin Qingqian was very fortunate that she could afford a high-end nanny. If she had to take care of him alone, he probably would have been driven crazy.

Babies are so difficult to deal with; they cry every hour or two, making it impossible to get any rest.

Since we're already here, we should naturally take a look at Xinghai Group's various investments in Shanghai.

"Wow, that's fast! They're about to officially start construction."

Masato Takeshita looked at the factory where various new machines were being loaded and filled with emotion.

The last time he came, the ground was littered with sand and concrete, and bricks and tiles were scattered everywhere.

This time, however, there were no remaining building materials on the ground; instead, a durable cement road had been laid.

The building was also completed, and the interior was all painted white.

In short, once the machine is installed, work can begin immediately.

In addition, the speed is also related to the factory configuration.

China doesn't lack industrial land; what it lacks is people to build factories. Therefore, the government allocated a particularly large area of ​​land to Xinghai Group, and the factory buildings were all single-story structures.

If it were the Hong Kong Island model, where manufacturing is all located in buildings, even the fastest pace would take one or two years.

Of course, Xinghai Group's new factories in China also include high-rise buildings such as government service centers and dormitory buildings.

However, the construction of those high-rise buildings will not affect the factory's operation.

Xinghai Group wouldn't be foolish enough to develop all the land at once, leaving workers with nowhere to live.

The company has only developed one-fifth of the project so far. The remaining part will be used to build dormitories and other low-rise buildings, while the other part will be used to build simple bungalows for the workers to live in.

As for a small number of scientific research talents and senior and middle-level leaders of manufacturing companies, they are given sufficient housing subsidies and then allowed to rent houses according to their own needs.

In addition to the reasons mentioned above, Xinghai Group also considered training workers when it did not develop all the land at once.

The factory was built to be too large, and there simply weren't enough qualified workers available. Especially those workers capable of management roles, who required Xinghai Group to provide them with training step by step.

However, Xinghai Group is considered to be in a relatively good situation.

The group entered the market relatively early and has a very good reputation among the public.

Whether they are skilled workers and managers trained by the group in the early stages, or experienced individuals who have resigned from government departments and state-owned enterprises, they are all willing to work for Xinghai Group.

As a result, the new factory is not so short of workers.

"Yes, but compared to the Special Economic Zone, Shanghai is still not fast enough."

Lin Qingqian had visited the special economic zone several times, and each time she was amazed by the speed of its development.

If projects in Shanghai were located in the special economic zone, the construction speed could easily be increased by one-third.

"They are indeed faster over there, but we don't need to compare ourselves. As long as they can complete the work on time and to a satisfactory standard, they are good construction teams."

"Ok, I know."

After a brief inspection, the two of them went to the staff canteen as usual.

"The food is good."

Masato Takeshita was very satisfied with the greasy food in the cafeteria; it was exactly what manual laborers needed.

Of course, there are also less oily dishes.

These are mainly intended for white-collar workers and workers who do not do heavy physical labor.

Takeshita Masato and Hayashi Seiki both ate the latter.

As for the taste, it's just so-so, like ordinary mass-produced food or fast food.

Besides the main staff canteen, there's a smaller canteen on the other side. It's a small shop, and like outside, you have to pay to buy food.

The two were there for an inspection, so naturally they wouldn't eat there.

"With you taking the cafeteria so seriously, who would dare to be careless about this?"

Every time Masato Takeshita visits a branch company, he goes to the cafeteria, so the group's management naturally has to strictly control the cafeteria.

They certainly don't want to lose their current jobs or opportunities for advancement because of issues with the cafeteria.

As a result, the canteen construction standards of Xinghai Group's various companies naturally far surpass those of similar companies.

Of course, that was also his goal.

A truly good company is one that ensures its employees are well-fed and well-clothed.

"hey-hey."

The young man smiled smugly, then looked up and casually asked.

"I'm a little thirsty, what would you like to drink?"

"Give me a bottle of mineral water."

"Okay, wait a moment."

Every canteen in Xinghai Group has a vending machine that sells beverages and water produced by the company itself.

Sales are very good; it's suitable for employees who don't like to talk much.

"Here you go." "Thank you!"

The young man, who had returned to his seat, downed a third of his cola in one go.

"Cool!"

"Drink less carbonated drinks, you're already so old."

"Okay, it's up to you."

Unbeknownst to many, Masato Takeshita has reached his 30s, a stereotypical mature and reliable middle-aged man.

However, perhaps due to the impact of the advanced internet in his previous life, his mentality is far less mature than that of his contemporary peers.

Despite being around the same age as Shin-chan's father, Hiroshi Nohara, he acts like a recent college graduate.

Takeshita Masato put down his drink, picked up his chopsticks again, took a few bites, and asked casually.

"By the way, how much money has the company invested in Shanghai so far?"

"Close to $35 billion."

"That's a lot. The total investment across China must be around 50 billion yuan, right?"

"Yes, it's 57 billion in total."

Shanghai is where Xinghai Group has invested the most in China; no other place in the country has as many investments as Shanghai.

However, as time goes on, Shanghai's share of Xinghai Group's investment in China will gradually decrease.

It will still surpass other cities, but the proportion will not be as exaggerated.

"It's grown to this size without us even realizing it. I estimate that in a few more years, it will break through the 10 billion dollar mark."

"Pretty much. China has become the second largest country for the company's overseas investment."

Although Masato Takeshita prioritized development in China, the economic conditions there were not ideal. Therefore, the Starsea Group's investment in the Bald Eagle far exceeded that in China.

Moreover, this surpassing is comprehensive. Even in China's core manufacturing sector, which attracts foreign investment, Xinghai Group's investment in the United States is larger.

However, this situation is gradually reversing over time, with Xinghai Group gradually reducing its manufacturing investments in the United States.

Of course, even in later generations, the United States would still surpass Japan in total investment.

Putting aside everything else, Xinghai Capital's investments in the US stock market are simply unmatched by those in China.

After a brief inspection of Shanghai, Masato Takeshita flew to Beijing.

The progress here is similar to that in Shanghai, and construction is expected to begin next year.

However, the temperature in Beijing is lower, so construction of dormitories and similar buildings has been suspended.

This is also a downside of the North, where large projects require longer construction periods.

After inspecting Beijing, he quickly flew to the special economic zone and Guangzhou.

Compared to the bustling cities of Shanghai and Beijing, Xinghai Group's investments here are relatively simple, mainly in the electronics sector.

This will be the place where Xinghai Group and Taiwanese electronics factories such as Foxconn, as well as Japanese electronics factories such as Sanyo, directly compete.

In this way, with the Guangzhou and Special Economic Zones having risen to power through fierce competition, the cities of Shanghai and Beijing, which were born into comfort, can be prevented from being gradually defeated.

Yes, the main reason why Xinghai Group wants to invest in the Special Economic Zone and Guangzhou is because of the fiercely competitive environment here.

Only managers who have undergone sufficient competitive testing are the managers needed by Xinghai Group's manufacturing companies.

Prime ministers must rise from local government positions, and valiant generals must emerge from the ranks.

In Xinghai Group, employees in manufacturing departments and management positions, especially in electronics manufacturing, must gain experience in the special economic zone and Guangzhou before they can be promoted.

Only in this way can Xinghai Group effectively cope with the impact of Taiwanese companies such as Foxconn, as well as mainland-based manufacturing companies.

Time always flies when you're busy.

Masato Takeshita didn't linger in the Special Economic Zone either, taking a quick look around before flying back to Shanghai.

"Why did you come back? Didn't you have to go back to Japan for some business?"

"It's alright, there's still time."

Tomorrow is Wednesday, so he can spend another day with his lover.

"There's no need for this back-and-forth travel. We have plenty of time to meet. Don't do this next time, okay?"

Lin Qingqian gently wiped away imaginary sweat from her lover's forehead, feeling both touched and heartbroken.

Traveling back and forth by plane like this would be exhausting even for someone with an iron body.

"Okay, whatever you say."

Masato Takeshita readily agreed, saying that as for next time, they would talk about it next time.

The main character is someone who appears earnest and sincere on the surface, but is actually full of rebellious tendencies.

The day passed quickly, and the two had no choice but to part ways, no matter how reluctant they were.

"I will come again before the New Year."

"okay."

Upon returning to Tokyo, Masato Takeshita went straight to the headquarters of the Seikai Group.

He planned to rest at the company for a while before starting the meeting.

"Let's hear your ideas. Everyone can share them now."

Some young people who hadn't slept well were too lazy to exchange pleasantries and directly asked everyone to express their opinions.

"Chairman, one of my subordinates, Tokugawa Taro, suggested an idea: to incorporate the latest MP3 audio compression technology from Europe."

MP3 audio compression technology originated from a group of members of a German space program, and was later developed into a usable audio standard with the support of large companies such as Philips.

However, the project is not yet mature and requires further supporting experiments.

"Adding MP3 functionality to a music phone is a very good idea; the lab could set up a related project team."

The development of music phones is still in its early stages, but that's okay.

Every advancement made by Xinghai Laboratory can add relevant patents to the company.

"Any more?"

"I think……"

After the first one, the relevant personnel in Xinghai Electronics' mobile phone R&D department began to speak more actively.

While many bizarre designs were proposed, such as placing the phone horizontally or launching a phone primarily for gaming, there were also some practical ideas among them.

For example, you can set alarms and ringtones on your phone, or adjust the phone's size and screen size.

While a large number of people may lead to a lot of conflicting opinions, it can certainly inspire more ideas.

"That's great. It seems I can put my phone aside for a while."

Today's idea is enough for Xinghai Mobile's R&D department to study for a long time. Even if he goes again, there won't be much room for him to contribute.

After all, there were only a few important design concepts in the era of feature phones—photography, music, color screen…and the developers of Xinghai Electronics' mobile phone division found them all.

The remaining design ideas, such as slider phones and dual-screen phones, are not yet technically mature, and it's not too late to develop them in a few years.

However, the most important research work in the mobile phone industry right now is still on batteries.

Battery life has become the most critical issue restricting the development of mobile phones.

There's not much young people can do in this regard; the only option is to give them money.

Large companies like Sony and Panasonic are in a similar situation, all waiting for a breakthrough in lithium battery technology.

As for the other important component, the screen, Xinghai Group has made very rapid progress in this area.

It is estimated that another breakthrough in mobile phone screen technology will be achieved soon.

(End of this chapter)