Rebirth Tokyo 1986

Chapter 449 Switching Positions
Although Suzuhara Tetsuya didn't show it on his face, both of them clearly sensed it from his tone of voice.

Masato Takeshita's heart sank, but he said nothing. He simply glanced at Kalinsky and Tetsuya Suzuhara and asked softly, his tone unchanged.

"I heard that Sega suffered another serious loss this year. Do you two think we have a chance to acquire Sega as well?"

"Acquire Sega?"

Kalinsky and Suzuhara Tetsuya both gasped softly, their voices filled with shock.

This is Sega, Japan's second-largest gaming giant, and one of only two gaming giants in the world that possess both hardware and software capabilities.

"That's right, it's Sega. Our company can not only provide Sega with better chips, but also provide Sega with a lot of help in the fields of operating systems and games."

"If Sega seeks a partnership, we are the most suitable."

Throughout Japan, only the Seikai Group possesses strong R&D capabilities in both game software and hardware.

Unlike other companies, which either have strong hardware but weak software, or have good software but virtually no hardware capabilities.

It can be said that once Sega joins the Starsea Group...

His problems with chip hardware production difficulties and lack of game software can be resolved quickly.

Catching up with Sony's PS series game consoles in a short time is unrealistic, but maintaining a tie is still achievable.

“I think it’s a good idea. Xinghai Group and Sega are very complementary.”

"With our help on hardware, the cost of Sega's consoles will be reduced significantly. With our help on software, we can also solve Sega's problem of lacking flagship games."

Sega is currently one of the world's top three gaming giants, with not only a globally popular console brand but also a large number of high-quality game IPs.

However, Sega's shortcomings are also very obvious.

First, the company lacks sufficient strength and cannot compete with Sony in the technology field.

Ken Kutaragi, the father of Sony's PlayStation, once said something that, while a bit crude, was indeed the truth.

My game console costs significantly less to manufacture than yours, giving me a natural advantage.

This point was later established as the foundation of Nintendo's company development as it returned to the right track.

Nintendo no longer pursues the highest level of technology for its consoles, but only uses cheap and mature technology.

Instead of selling game consoles at a loss and then making money from game software, they are developing based on Gunpei Yokoi's ideas, where game hardware also generates profits.

However, this tactic is currently only available to Nintendo.

Because Nintendo is the strongest in the console gaming field, whether it's Mario, Pokémon, or the Zelda series, they have captivated countless players.

If it were just a hardware weakness, Sega wouldn't have suffered such severe losses.

The crux of the problem is that Sega's game software capabilities are also lacking.

The company has a ton of games, but none of them are good enough to carry the flag.

Yes, not a single one.

Sonic is indeed very well-known in the United States, and right now he may even surpass Mario and Pokémon.

But it's not soft!
Games featuring Sonic the Hedgehog are all speed-based games, which naturally limit the number of tracks available, resulting in low sales.

Furthermore, the current kingpin of the global console market is RPG games, which is precisely Sega's weakest link.

The company's best RPG games are at best third-rate in Japan.

A sales volume exceeding 50 is a great success, while exceeding one million is extremely rare.

Starry Sky Games is different; it not only has Final Fantasy, currently the world's number one RPG, but also Metal Gear, a top-tier title.

Although this game, developed under the leadership of Hideo Kojima, is not as famous as Final Fantasy, it opened a new chapter in cinematic narrative games.

While leading the development of the game industry, it also made Xinghai Games a fortune.

"The president is right, I also feel that it is indeed very suitable."

Tetsuya Suzuhara was so excited that he disregarded Kalinsky's thoughts and quickly agreed.

As someone who came from Sega, he desperately wanted Sega to join the company he now works for.

“Since Suzuhara-san also thinks it’s good, then there’s definitely no problem.”

Masato Takeshita first affirmed Tetsuya Suzuhara's words, and then continued speaking.

"In that case, let's adjust the work order first."

“Mr. Suzuhara is more familiar with Sega’s headquarters, so you can handle the acquisition of Sega here.”

“Kalinski is an American, so he’s definitely more familiar with how Americans do things. You’ll be in charge of acquiring Blizzard.”

After talking at length about Sega, Masato Takeshita finally revealed his true intentions.

The young man was very unhappy with Suzuhara Tetsuya's attitude just now, but he couldn't show it when the other man hadn't done anything wrong. He decided to find something better for the young man: a job change.

"Is this okay?"

Tetsuya Suzuhara really wanted to take over Sega's work, but he was also a little hesitant.

At that time, Sega's global gaming industry standing was far ahead of Blizzard's.

The current head of Starsea Entertainment is Kalinsky, which means that even if he wanted to, he wouldn't dare to snatch the more important Sega acquisition project.
"I think this is good. I'm not really familiar with Sega right now."

His former boss at Sega, Hayao Nakayama, had been persuaded to resign by Sega, and the new generation of leaders consisted of people who disagreed with him.

Kalinsky didn't want to make a fool of himself and be mocked and rejected by Sega.

Besides, he had some doubts about the chairman's current attitude towards Sega.

We were only talking about Blizzard before, but suddenly Sega was brought up. It's probably a trap set by the chairman because he disliked Suzuhara Tetsuya's arrogance towards Blizzard earlier.

With this in mind, Kalinsky's resolve strengthened, and he resolutely entrusted the Sega mission to Tetsuya Suzuhara.

Seeing that the two were still struggling, Masato Takeshita simply gave the order.

"Alright, there's no need to fuss over such a small matter. Suzuhara-san will handle Sega, and Kalinski-san will handle Blizzard."

"Yes, President!"

"The president of the Heavenly Assembly is the greatest, and the two of them immediately responded respectfully."

After leaving the Starry Sea game, Kalinsky tentatively asked.

"Chairman, isn't it a bit unrealistic to acquire Sega right now?"

"It is indeed quite difficult, but it's still worth a try."

Sega is not yet at its wit's end, so an acquisition would indeed be very difficult.

But it doesn't matter, it's just an attempt to transfer Tetsuya Suzuhara anyway.

At the same time, this is also the final test that the young man will give to Tetsuya Suzuhara.

If he passes, great, he'll get a promotion and a raise.

If I fail, I'll be very sorry, but I'll have to take a second-tier position in the company.

Of course, regardless of success or failure, he will be transferred from his position as president of Xinghai Games.

Xinghai Group does not need employees who are overly arrogant in business, and the higher the level, the less they need to be.

Being overly arrogant towards others will only earn you a lot of hatred.
It might attract a lot of sycophants with a servile mentality. But Xinghai Group has absolutely no need for these kinds of people.

The grasper has a short hand, and the eater has a short mouth.

While Masato Takeshita continued to expand the Seikai Group during the Asian financial crisis, he didn't forget the Liberal Democratic Party bigwigs who had contributed significantly. "Excuse me, senior."

"No, I'm overjoyed that someone would come to visit this old geezer."

Takeshita Noboru was very satisfied with his young junior, who could not only help him and his family with their financial affairs, but also assist him in strengthening the Takeshita faction in the political arena.

The Takeshita faction is able to firmly suppress the Abe faction and others, thanks to the political donations from his juniors and the votes cast by their companies every year.

Yes, currently, about half of the political donations made by the Xinghai Group each year go to the Takeshita faction of lawmakers.

As for the election of members of parliament, it is recommended to vote for the candidates of the Takeshita faction.

Of course, Xinghai Group would not directly mobilize its employees to vote for a particular member of Congress; it would instead use indirect methods.

For example, creating public opinion through rumors that make a certain person indispensable.

Or, to put it another way, turn your gossipy colleagues into insiders.

"Hey, you know what? I heard the company is telling us to choose so-and-so."

"Would I lie to you for a low price? Of course not, my uncle is the CFO."

"It's obvious, our guild leader and the Takeshita faction are generally on good terms."

What the superiors like, the subordinates will like even more!

Since their own chairman has a close relationship with the Takeshita faction, the employees below naturally have to align themselves with that faction.

With the Japanese economy facing such difficulties right now, nobody wants to lose their job.

Masato Takeshita was aware of the company's situation, but he was already deeply involved with the Takeshita faction, so he naturally didn't bother to clarify.

Unless the Takeshita faction declines one day, he will find another powerful figure to rely on.

The two chatted aimlessly for more than ten minutes before Takeshita Masato finally got down to business with a smile.

"I am so grateful to senior Takeshita and Prime Minister Hashimoto for giving us the opportunity to acquire a controlling stake in Yamaichi Securities without any pressure."

If it weren't for government pressure, the Furong Group, also known as the Yasuda Group among the four major conglomerates, would likely have chosen to go bankrupt Yamaichi Securities, giving its competitor, the Xinghai Group, no chance at all.

Indeed, as Xinghai Group has grown stronger, it has become a major domestic competitor, second only to the four major conglomerates.

This group is too powerful; we must target it as much as possible.

"This is all we should do. Besides, it's mainly thanks to Prime Minister Hashimoto."

"Yes, I know, so I'd like to ask you to pass on a message to the Prime Minister for me. I'd like to pay him a visit, but I don't know when the Prime Minister would be available?"

Prime Minister Hashimoto made a huge contribution to the acquisition of Yamaichi Securities by the Seikai Group, and the youth must do their part.

This is a tacit understanding formed among capitalists, politicians, and civil servants.

If you help me in the public eye, then I will help you rise to a higher position or make various forms of political donations.

Of course, this is far from enough.

Most large companies, including the Star Sea Group, are required to provide politicians and civil servants with respectable retirement jobs.

For example, whether or not to become a consultant at a large company is up to you.

You can skip work every month, but you still earn an annual salary of over one million yen.

"Okay, I'll call and ask for you right now."

After saying that, Takeshita Noboru quickly dialed Hashimoto Ryutaro's private number and briefly mentioned the time.

A short while later, Takeshita Noboru, who had returned to the living room, nodded to Takeshita Masato.

"There are no problems with the Prime Minister. He will have plenty of time after 3 p.m. this Thursday."

"Okay, Takeshita-senpai!"

"It's nothing, you're too kind."

Although Prime Minister Hashimoto was already overwhelmed by the Asian financial crisis, he still wanted to meet with the young man who had made such a great contribution.

If we could secure more sponsorships, we might be able to prevent several more companies from going bankrupt.

Masato Takeshita and Ryutaro Hashimoto met at the Prime Minister's official residence. They chatted politely for a while before gradually getting down to business.

"The Xinghai Group is very grateful for Prime Minister Hashimoto's support and trust. Without the government, it would have been difficult for us to quickly acquire Yamaichi Securities."

"The most important thing our government should do is to help suitable companies connect with each other."

The young man's words made Prime Minister Hashimoto very proud.

It was thanks to his efforts that Shan Yi Securities was able to be successfully established.

However, thinking of the even deeper and more powerful banking system, he looked at Masato Takeshita with anticipation once again.

"President Takeshita, do you remember when I came to see you last year?"

"Of course, the Prime Minister must be referring to the Changyin Bank matter."

How could a young man forget the control of a large bank?

However, the current conditions still seem immature, making it difficult to convince the behind-the-scenes shareholders of Changyin.

"That's right. Domestic banks have been affected by the crisis in Southeast Asia, and some are in a very bad situation. Changxin is one of them."

"Therefore, I hope that Xinghai Group can take the example of Yamaichi Securities and also acquire Changyin."

Ryutaro Hashimoto hoped to carry out a profound reform in the financial sector, and Changyin Bank was the breakthrough point in his mind.

However, this breakthrough is currently shrouded in mystery and difficult to see through, so he needs Xinghai Group to make an acquisition.

After this, it will be difficult for Changxin Bank to keep secrets in the financial field, making it easier for Prime Minister Hashimoto to act.

"No problem, we're available anytime."

Although he felt he was being used as a pawn by Hashimoto, the young man was still quite happy to comply.

Of course, this also reflects his skepticism about Prime Minister Hashimoto's ability to acquire Choshin Bank.

This giant is indeed teetering on the brink of collapse, but it can at least hold on for another six months.

There's no chance of winning over Ryutaro Hashimoto in the short term.

The young man was not optimistic that Ryutaro Hashimoto would be able to take over the Changyin during his term as prime minister, but he was optimistic that the future prime minister, Obuchi, could easily solve the problem.

On the one hand, after the prolonged devastation of the Asian financial crisis, China Bank will gradually lose sight of its former principles.

On the other hand, Xiao Yuan has more substantial capital in both political and economic circles, which allows him to easily control Changxin Bank.

Therefore, after the meeting with the Prime Minister, he immediately went to visit Keizo Obuchi's home.

"Senior, just relax, the opportunity is here now."

"Yes, an opportunity. Tax increases are never popular."

In early 1997, Japan was still discussing the possibility of an overheated economy and decided to implement a tax increase strategy.

But in July, everything changed.

Japan has once again fallen into an economic crisis.

But by then, the tax that offended the public had already been established in the form of law, and even if people regretted it, there was nothing they could do.

It can be said that the Japanese people now deeply resent the Liberal Democratic Party, which uses its supposed sense of justice to suppress them, and Prime Minister Hashimoto has absolutely no chance of being re-elected in the next election.

(End of this chapter)