Tokyo Detective

Chapter 423 The Curtain Falls on the Second Dogeza Minister

Soon, a middle-aged man dressed in a gorgeous kimono walked onto the stage; it was none other than Defense Minister Shinji Kitada.

For some reason, Naoki Hanyu felt a strange sense of déjà vu about this scene. Indeed, former Defense Minister Juzo Tanaka once performed a dogeza (a traditional Japanese kneeling gesture) while wearing a kimono.

The reporters couldn't wait and started asking questions one after another.

"Minister, what is your opinion on the events that occurred at Yokosuka Port last night? I heard that you allowed America's military to shell the city?"

Shinji Kitada shook his head.

"That's not true. It was America Base that took it upon themselves to shell the city, which led to serious problems. They can only say they reaped what they sowed."

Reporters were shocked by these words. Normally, government press conferences wouldn't be so direct, but now the Defense Minister was pointing at America and saying, "You're all stupid, you deserve it."

Is this still the same Japan that never dared to say no to America?

The reporters quickly pressed for more information.

"Can you tell us the details of yesterday's events?"

Shinji Kitada took a deep breath.

"Of course we can. Last night, when our Ministry of Defense learned of the attack by the YMCA, we had already arranged for support. We also knew that Officer Yuzuru had used his own body to block the enemy. At that time, the American garrison requested support because it was relatively close, and we agreed. Who knew that their first step was to shell the city."

Goodness, just a short paragraph has already filled the reporter's mind with hundreds of words. Speaking of which, it seems that the former Defense Minister also openly criticized America once.

Just then, Shinji Kitada suddenly spoke.

"Regardless of the circumstances, the Ministry of Defense still bears responsibility for the shelling of Yokosuka Port. I mistakenly believed that America Base knew what was appropriate. I apologize to the public for failing to live up to everyone's trust."

As Kitada Shinji spoke, he naturally knelt down, his forehead touching the floor.

The current Defense Minister has performed the dogeza (a traditional Tibetan kowtow) for the third time.

"."

Many people who watched the live broadcast were deeply moved. Although the position of Defense Minister is often criticized, this time he was the one who took the blame for America's actions.

Kitada Shinji stood up after his head was on the ground for a few seconds, with a clear red mark on his forehead.

"I have an announcement to make here: I will be resigning as Minister of Defense so that a more suitable person can take over the position."

The room erupted in uproar. This was the first time in decades that a Defense Minister had resigned. After all, Tanaka Juzo lost his position while serving as interim Prime Minister. This was also the second minister in the current cabinet to resign voluntarily, the previous one being the Minister of Agriculture and Forestry.

The reporters quickly pressed for more information.

"Minister Kitada, who do you think can succeed you?"

"The government has many outstanding talents who are suitable for this position, far too many. It depends on who the cabinet chooses."

Shortly afterward, Shinji Kitada announced his resignation, officially ending the press conference. He even went to the Prime Minister's office and handed his resignation letter to Takashi Kitahara, causing the Prime Minister to hesitate for a moment.

"Kitada, you're too impulsive. I think you've done an excellent job as Minister of Defense; perhaps you're just a bit unlucky."

Shinji Kitada shook his head.

"I am now completely disheartened, and I have publicly stated my intention to resign. I beg the Prime Minister to accept my resignation for the sake of my last shred of dignity."

"."

Kitahara Takashi was speechless and could only sigh in the end.

“Alright, I will appoint Takaoka Akio as Minister of Defense. Please make sure to hand over the reins to him.”

"Yes."
.
On the other side, when Naoki Hanyu was returning to the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, he was blocked by two people. The middle-aged man in the lead was white, and the woman behind him was a black woman with very delicate features, but her skin color of chocolate mixed with milk did not meet Naoki Hanyu's aesthetic standards.

"Is something wrong?"

"My name is Adolf Andres, and this is my subordinate, Rihanna. We have a question for Mr. Yuzuru."

"Mr. Adolf, are you German?"

Adolf Andres paused for a moment, then retorted with a stern face.

"I am American."

"Oh, so you're of German descent. Please get to the point."

Adolf's expression couldn't hide his arrogance.

"Regarding what happened at Yokosuka Port yesterday, we have some questions we would like to ask Mr. Hanyu. Please come with us. Your cooperation is also America's cooperation."

Naoki Hanyu smiled when he heard this. He could sense the disgust and arrogance in the other person's heart. He had seen this kind of person before. Theoretically speaking, he was a white supremacist.

"Who are you? CIA, what level? Senior agents? Operations team leader?"

Adolf Andres could also see the sarcasm in the other party's eyes. As a high-ranking agent who was used to racial discrimination in America, and was also an inspector-level agent, he had never encountered an Asian who dared to give him a hard time.

He was very unhappy about being temporarily transferred from his home country to Japan because he was surrounded by Asians whom he looked down upon. His internal hierarchy of discrimination was pure white, mixed-race white (Latin American), black, and Asian.

"You don't need to know, you just need to cooperate."

Naoki Hanyu wasn't going to let them get away with it. Seeing two patrolling police officers passing by not far away, he immediately called them over and pointed at the two astonished CIA agents.

“I am Naoki Hanyu, the head of the Criminal Investigation Department. I suspect these two people are connected to the Youth Salvation Association. Please come with me to assist in the investigation. They may be carrying weapons on their waists.”

"."

Adolf Andres was stunned. He only had a few questions to ask, but the other party was planning to arrest the two of them directly.

Rihanna, who hadn't spoken a word, was speechless. She hadn't said anything because of her temporary supervisor's implicit discrimination, and just wanted to end this temporary overseas assignment as soon as possible. She never expected that this damn racist was like an idiot. Did he think that just because his father was a former assistant deputy director, he could do whatever he wanted?

Rihanna tried to salvage the situation.

"Mr. Yuzuru, you know we meant no harm, I..."

Naoki Hanyu interrupted.

“I will find out whether there was any malicious intent. You two will come back with me now for questioning. By the way, even the CIA cannot carry guns in Japan. You are not part of the American garrison.”

“We have no weapons,” Naoki Hanyu said calmly, pointing at Adolf Andres.

“He does, so he should obediently come back with me to accept the investigation. Under the current laws in Japan, suspects of illegal possession of firearms can be shot dead.”

"."

Rihanna was speechless. She really wanted to pry open the head of that damned second-generation official. He's over 30 years old and still has no intelligence at all. His supervisor clearly said that he should try not to bring guns when facing Japanese officials.

Gun and Knife Control Laws prohibit ordinary people from carrying guns, while the Status of Forces Agreement between the United States and Japan only allows active-duty U.S. military personnel stationed in Japan to carry weapons on bases or when performing official duties.

CIA agents are not part of the U.S. military, so they cannot be brought along.

Adolf Andres wasn't stupid; he was just unaccustomed to being on patrol in Asia for the first time. Seeing that the two patrolling policemen had already put their hands on the gun handles, he obediently surrendered.

Indeed, a pistol was found on Adolf, and the two were taken away in full view of the crowd.
.
Soon after, the assistant director in charge of the mission was stunned when he heard about it. Someone had been arrested by the Japanese police on the very first day. What was going on? Usually, the Japanese police wouldn't make things difficult if they heard it was the CIA.

"That's what the assistant reported."

"It was Adolf Andres. His target for questioning was Naoki Hanyu, and he also happened to be carrying a pistol."

Assistant Chief Alex Moma slapped his forehead.

"Damn it, it's him."

To be honest, Adolf was someone he specifically brought along, since he was the only son of his former boss. So he wanted to bring him out to earn some credit so he could be promoted to supervisor next year. Who knew that this guy would mess things up on the very first day.

"Smith, who exactly put Adolf in charge of Naoki Hanyu?"

"This person is the director. You instructed him to give Adolf an important mission, so the chief of agents assigned the mission according to your instructions."

"."

Alex slapped his forehead again.

"Alright, go find the police chief and ask him to help get him out."

"Yes."
.
Shortly afterward, an assistant named Smith brought a reply from the police chief.

He said it was inconvenient for him to get involved in cases handled by the Metropolitan Police Department, and told us to contact higher-ups at the Metropolitan Police Department.

Andres frowned instantly. He sensed something was wrong. Normally, the police department could interfere in cases handled by the Metropolitan Police Department.

"Go visit the higher-ups at the Metropolitan Police Department."

"Yes."

Three hours later, the assistant returned to the assistant director.

"I'm sorry, I failed to complete the mission. Despite the CIA's request, they still sided with Naoki Hanyu."

Deputy Chief of the Metropolitan Police Department, Futaba Jingu: Criminal Investigation Department matters are not under my jurisdiction. Go find the Commissioner and Deputy Commissioner.

Deputy Director Shiratori Ten'ei: Manager Hanyu has the support of the Director. Why don't you go ask the Director?

Director Koichi Uemura: I believe that Director Hanyu will handle this matter impartially. Please trust his abilities. Moreover, Deputy Director Shiratori has an even clearer understanding of the Criminal Investigation Department.

"."

Alex was filled with doubt. What was wrong with Japan? Why were the police officers not giving the CIA any face? It was very different from when he came here on official business a few years ago.

What he didn't know was that the police chief had indeed sensed a surge in antipathy towards the Japanese troops stationed in America. Forget about whether he could intervene in Naoki Hanyu's case, or even get Naoki Hanyu to back down; getting involved with the CIA at this time was not a good thing.

As for the higher-ups in the Metropolitan Police Department, they only said that because they're in cahoots with Naoki Hanyu.

"Go talk to Naoki Hanyu. If that doesn't work, then go to the Japanese cabinet."

"I'll go now."
.
When Smith arrived at the Metropolitan Police Department's Criminal Investigation Division, the two employees were drinking coffee, while Naoki Hanyu was glancing at Adolf Andres, seemingly unintentionally.

Since the CIA has been mobilized, perhaps it would be helpful to check the CIA's progress.

Just then, there was a knock on the door, and Miyuki Kobayakawa opened it and spoke.

"Minister, an American woman who claims to be the assistant director of the CIA is looking for you."

"Let him in."

Soon, Smith's assistant, who was in his fifties, walked in.

"Minister Hanyu, I'd like to talk to you about the two agents."

Naoki Hanyu tapped the table, giving an irrelevant answer.

“Adolf is illegally possessing a gun. You are not military personnel, so I have the right to arrest you.”

"Minister Hanyu, please calm down. You know very well that even if you make a big fuss, you won't actually be able to prosecute Adolf. You also know the power of the CIA."

Naoki Hanyu showed the other party a video on his phone. The video showed a protest by locals in Yokosuka Port against the America base. In addition to the locals, more and more people were added, and the number of people had reached tens of thousands.

"What do you think would happen if I revealed the CIA's operations? They already resent America's reckless behavior."

The assistant tensed up instantly. When did the protest begin?

"Minister Hanyu, we are from the CIA, and our representative is America."

"I'm still the one who saved your president's life. If you tell him this now and question him about how he repays a life-saving debt, what will he think?"

"."

Smith eventually gave in after consulting with the assistant chief.

"What do you want?"

“You can investigate all you want, but don’t bother me or the people around me. I’m still furious about the military bombarding me with naval guns. Don’t force me to do something that will upset everyone.”

"I understand."

On the surface, it's said that they should keep to themselves, but Naoki Hanyu doesn't really think so. He feels that America's influence in Japan is too great.

(End of this chapter)