Hollywood starts with an agent

Chapter 603 Should We Open the Casino?

As the Dawn Group achieved greater success in Japan, it merged its Japanese businesses to form Universal Japan Entertainment Group.

Universal Japan Entertainment Group, which includes Dawn Universal International Pictures Japan, Monster Games, Universal Records Japan, and other companies, is responsible for the distribution and release of Dawn's films, television, music, animation, games, and home entertainment in Japan.

Universal's films, music, and TV dramas, including those from Aurora and CBS, are all promoted and marketed in Japan through cinemas, television stations, videotapes, and DVDs under Universal Japan Entertainment!

After Lin Chih-ling returned to Taipei, Aaron Anderson, who remained in Tokyo, met with Japanese Minister of Economy, Trade and Industry Takashi Fukaya at the Hotel Okura in Tokyo.
As a key figure in Keizo Obuchi's cabinet, Japan's economic growth since the middle of this year owes much to his contributions.

Takashi Fukaya met with Aaron to attract investment, hoping that Aaron would increase his investment in Japan;
Universal Studios Japan Resort in Osaka is a perfect example of the collaboration between the two parties!

"I have substantial investments in Japan. Aside from Dawn Group, I'm also a major shareholder of Yahoo! Japan."

"Actually, I'm quite interested in another industry."

Aaron sat on the sofa, crossed his legs, and looked at Takashi Fukaya across from him with a playful tone.

Takashi Fukaya became interested. "Oh, Mr. Anderson, which industry are you still interested in?"

"In the gambling industry, I'm a shareholder in The Venetian Macao, a luxurious integrated casino resort in the world."

"I've always felt that Japan should open up some aspects of the gambling industry, as this would definitely benefit Japan's economic development!"

Aaron smiled. Anyway, there are pachinko parlors all over Japan. Wouldn't it be better to open up casino licenses?
Takashi Fukaya shook his head. "Gambling is not allowed in Japan."

Pachinko, as the only legal gambling game in Japan, is almost the same as gambling and generates huge profits every year!

Aaron sighed, "What a pity!"

Japan’s outward investment (ODI) has consistently been the highest in the world, but foreign direct investment (FDI) in Japan has long been at a relatively low level.

After 1985, Japan entered a bubble economy, which was very evident. This was closely related to factors such as the asset shortage in Japan, the bursting of the bubble economy, and problems in the financial system.

Beginning in the mid-1980s, during Japan's bubble economy period, Japanese companies' overseas investment (ODI) surged, with large amounts of capital flowing overseas (to the United States, Europe, and Southeast Asia), mainly for asset investments such as real estate and corporate mergers and acquisitions.

Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Japan has always been low, mainly because of the severe bubble in land and stock prices in Japan at the time, and foreign companies were worried about excessively high entry costs.

From the 1990s to the present, it has been the post-bubble era in Japan. With the bursting of the real estate and stock market bubbles in Japan, domestic asset prices plummeted, bank bad debts surged, and economic growth stagnated.

Japan is facing an "asset shortage" in its domestic investment landscape. Deteriorating corporate balance sheets and banks' reluctance to lend have led Japanese companies to drastically reduce domestic investment, resulting in a lack of sufficient capital to attract foreign direct investment. Consequently, foreign investors are even less willing to enter the Japanese market.
First, Japan's economy has been sluggish for a long time, and the market growth prospects are poor;

Secondly, the Japanese government imposes strict restrictions on foreign investment in key sectors (such as banking, insurance, and real estate);
Furthermore, Japanese companies are unwilling to be acquired by foreign companies, which makes it difficult for foreign direct investment (FDI) to grow.

Las Vegas gambling tycoons are eyeing Japan's gambling industry, but the Japanese government has been hesitant to open up the industry.

After all, Japan has a massive pachinko gambling industry that involves everyone!
After leaving the Hotel Okura, Aaron returned to his high-rise mansion in Minato Ward, which is adjacent to Tokyo Bay and offers panoramic views of the bay.

Not long after, Norika Fujiwara rushed over from Shibuya, excitedly informing Aaron that she was going to China to film a blockbuster.

"Thunder Cop, a police action film co-produced by Golden Harvest and Media Asia?"

Upon hearing what Norika Fujiwara said, Aaron was also surprised by how quickly Wang Zhuxian had acted, but upon reflection, it must be a project of Golden Harvest.
After all, the director was Stanley Tong, and the male lead was Aaron Kwok, a contracted actor with Golden Harvest. Stanley Tong does like to use foreign actresses, and Norika Fujiwara is currently one of Japan's top sex symbols!

“Yes, the investment is huge, and I’ve tried action scenes before,” Norika Fujiwara really wanted to work with some Hong Kong movie stars, since Japanese films are not very well-known these days.

Aaron nodded, sat down on the sofa, and pulled the woman into his arms. "It's quite nice. This will increase your fame in China and give you international recognition."

"With the resources of Media Asia, your career should be significantly boosted, and you'll likely get more endorsements and advertising deals in the future!"

"Hmm," Norika Fujiwara kissed Aaron on the cheek, "Onii-san, how long will you stay in Japan?"

"In addition, I have already made arrangements for Ms. Lin's business in Japan. She can start anytime after she arrives in Japan."

“Well done,” Aaron said, reaching out to stroke the other’s 347E. “I also need to go back home as soon as possible; I’ve been away from here long enough!”

However, Aaron had to go to the UK first, as Universal's upcoming blockbuster "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone" was in full swing with its casting call.
The Harry Potter series, the Lord of the Rings series, and the amazing Spider-Man series are all key projects for Dawn, and they must be taken seriously.

Spider-Man has finished filming, The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring is currently filming in New Zealand, and all that's left is the pre-production work for Harry Potter!
When Aaron arrived in London, it was already late October, and a major incident had just occurred there:
At the beginning of the month, two trains collided at Paddington Station in London, causing the trains to overturn and catch fire. Firefighters spent five hours using special rescue equipment to lift the overturned carriages, pry open doors and windows to rescue those trapped, and some people escaped death.

The accident was caused by a train signal light with a significant color rendering defect, which caused the train driver to mistake a red light for a yellow light. According to statistics, 70 people died and more than 150 were injured.

The Paddington Train disaster in London became the worst train collision in British history, exposing technical and management problems within the British railway system!

Upon arriving in London, Aaron could clearly sense that the British people were still deeply grieving over the accident…

(End of this chapter)