I, Hiroshi Nohara, the star of Japanese cinema

Chapter 262 Appointment of Campaign Advisors! The Effectiveness of Information Cocoons!

The campaign headquarters in Chiyoda Ward, Tokyo, was already bustling with activity just after 9 a.m.

A large campaign poster of Yoshihiro Shimazu occupies the entire wall, with the slogan "Culture revitalizes the city, economic transformation" standing out prominently. The desk is piled with neatly bound poll reports, campaign plans, and voter feedback forms.

Hiroshi Nohara, dressed in a well-fitting dark suit and carrying a briefcase containing the script for his campaign video, walked steadily into the lobby and was immediately recognized by Yoshihiro Shimazu's secretary.

"Mr. Nohara, you've finally arrived! Mr. Shimazu has been waiting for you in his office for a long time." The secretary hurried forward, her tone full of urgency and respect.

Pushing open the office door, Yoshihiro Shimazu was standing in front of the floor-to-ceiling window, looking at the Tokyo street scene outside.

He was wearing a dark blue suit, his hair was neatly combed, and compared to his composure on TV Tokyo, he now had a sharper look in his eyes, like a candidate.

Hearing the noise, he turned around abruptly, a bright smile instantly spreading across his face. He quickly stepped forward and grasped Hiroshi Nohara's hand: "Hiroshi-kun, you've come at the perfect time! I've been looking forward to seeing you every day these past few days. Without you, I feel uncertain about many things related to publicity."

"Former President Shimazu, I apologize for the delay on the way. I encountered a voter petition on the subway." Hiroshi Nohara nodded slightly, his tone still calm. The warmth of his fingertips transmitted through his palm, making Yoshihiro Shimazu feel inexplicably at ease.

Yoshihiro Shimazu pulled him to sit on the sofa, personally poured him a cup of hot tea, and said earnestly, "Hiroshi-kun, I've called you here today to formally tell you something important—I've submitted an application to the election committee to appoint you as my special campaign advisor, in charge of publicity strategy and public opinion control. The election starts in the middle of this month, and with less than two weeks left, whether we can defeat Tanaka Mikami depends entirely on you!"

Hiroshi Nohara held the warm teacup, his fingertips gently stroking the rim, and calmly replied, "Thank you for your trust, former president Shimazu. I will do my best. However, before discussing future plans, I would like to see the current progress of our publicity campaign and the poll data."

"It's been prepared for you a long time ago!"

Yoshihiro Shimazu immediately took out a thick stack of documents from his desk drawer and handed them over. “Your ‘information cocoon’ strategy has been fully implemented. We’ve made targeted pushes to different voter groups: for seniors over 60, we’ve sent brochures and short films on ‘traditional craft protection’ and ‘elderly care and medical care optimization,’ highlighting the case of how your documentary ‘Neon Flavors’ has boosted the local economy and revitalized old crafts; for young people aged 20-35, we’ve sent advertisements on ‘employment support’ and ‘cultural entrepreneurship subsidies,’ using the popularity of ‘Super Transformation’ to attract their attention; and for middle-aged people aged 36-59, we’ve sent policy interpretations on ‘equal access to educational resources’ and ‘support for small and medium-sized enterprises,’ emphasizing the necessity of economic transformation.”

Hiroshi Nohara quickly flipped through the documents, his gaze lingering on the page with the poll data.

The latest poll shows that Yoshihiro Shimazu's approval rating has reached 43%, while Mikami Tanaka's approval rating is 46%, narrowing the gap between the two from 10 percentage points to 3 percentage points.

More importantly, among young voters aged 25-30 and voters engaged in the cultural and handicraft industries, Yoshihiro Shimazu's support rate has surpassed that of Mikami Tanaka, reaching 51% and 58% respectively.

"This result is better than expected." Hiroshi Nohara put down the document, his tone carrying a hint of certainty. "The core of the information cocoon is 'precise matching,' avoiding generalities. The data shows that different groups have received the policy information they care about, especially young people. Their emotional identification with 'Super Transformation' has successfully translated into support for your policies."

The campaign communications minister beside him added, "Mr. Nohara, our promotional materials are now plastered all over Tokyo's subway stations, bus stops, shopping mall LED screens, and even community bulletin boards. Tokyo TV and Kanto TV broadcast your promotional videos during prime time every day, and NHK has also agreed to air our policy interpretations on its documentary channel because of our collaboration with 'A Bite of China.' According to public opinion monitoring, online discussions about 'Shimazu Yoshihiro's Cultural Promotion Campaign' have increased by 87% in the past week, with positive reviews accounting for 72%, and it's already showing a trend of surpassing Tanaka Mikami."

Yoshihiro Shimazu smiled with satisfaction, picked up his teacup and took a sip: "This is all thanks to you! When you first came up with the idea of ​​'information cocoons,' I was worried that it was too radical, but I didn't expect it to be so effective. Tanaka Mikami is still relying on large newspaper ads and street speeches to promote it, but he hasn't grasped the voters' pain points at all."

Hiroshi Nohara shook his head: "We can't let our guard down. Tanaka Mikami has been operating in Tokyo for over a decade and has deep roots. Moreover, he has the financial support of Sato Tokugawa. He will definitely launch a counterattack. Our current advantage is only temporary. We must press our advantage."

Yoshihiro Shimazu's smile faded. He put down his teacup, tapping his fingers lightly on the table, his tone tinged with helplessness: "You're right. Our biggest problem right now is still real estate. The Japanese real estate market is too hot right now. Prices in Tokyo are still rising. Several new projects by Tokugawa Sato sold out as soon as they opened. Many citizens who own property have seen their assets appreciate continuously. They simply don't want to see the real estate market cool down, and naturally, they don't want to give up supporting Tanaka Mikami—after all, Tanaka Mikami has always advocated 'vigorously developing real estate and promoting urban expansion'."

He paused, then picked up a negative feedback form:

“Look, this is the feedback we received from voters. 30% of middle-aged voters explicitly stated that they are worried that our ‘economic transformation’ policies will affect housing prices, so they will not support us for the time being. Some voters even questioned me during street speeches, asking if we were going to devalue everyone’s property.”

Hiroshi Nohara stroked his chin, his eyes becoming deep.

He recalled the history he had learned before his time travel: Japan's real estate bubble had peaked in 1991, and behind the apparent prosperity lay the hollowing out of the real economy and high levels of public debt.

He looked up at Yoshihiro Shimazu, his tone firm: "Former president of Shimazu, have you ever considered that the current real estate market has actually become so distorted that it's reached a critical point?"

Yoshihiro Shimazu paused for a moment, then asked, "What do you mean?"

“The average housing price in Tokyo is now more than 25 times the annual income of an average office worker,” Hiroshi Nohara analyzed, counting on his fingers. “A recent college graduate, even if he didn’t eat or drink for 20 years, still couldn’t afford a 50-square-meter apartment. Moreover, many companies are withdrawing funds from the real economy and investing in real estate, resulting in fewer and fewer jobs in manufacturing and service industries, making it increasingly difficult for young people to find work. Haven’t you noticed? There are more unemployed people on the streets lately, and capsule apartments are almost full—everyone is barely holding on.”

Yoshihiro Shimazu frowned and remained silent for a moment: "I know about these issues, but the real estate market is very complex now. Many voters rely on real estate appreciation to improve their lives. If we directly oppose real estate, it's like pushing these voters to Tanaka Mikami."

“We don’t need to oppose it directly.” Hiroshi Nohara’s tone was calm, yet carried an undeniable force. “We can release some information, such as revealing that ‘some banks are assessing mortgage risks and may tighten lending limits’ or ‘a large real estate company has postponed the start of a new project due to a tight cash flow.’ Once this information spreads, it will inevitably affect the real estate sector in the stock market, and the fluctuations in the stock market will in turn affect public confidence in the real estate market, creating a chain reaction.”

He paused and continued:
"The current real estate market is like an overblown balloon; if you poke a small hole, it will slowly leak air. Once everyone realizes that real estate is not a sure thing, the foundation of Tanaka Mikami's policies will naturally be shaken. Moreover, we can take this opportunity to promote the importance of a 'diversified economy,' emphasizing that cultural industries, traditional crafts, and technological innovation are the real pillars that can provide stable employment and sustainable development."

Yoshihiro Shimazu's eyes lit up, but then his expression turned troubled: "This is indeed a good idea, but... there are some things that are not up to us to decide."

He pointed to the sky and said with a wry smile, "The real estate market involves the interests of too many cabinet ministers. Sato Tokugawa donates to many members of parliament every year, and many ministers' relatives work in the real estate industry. Even Governor Koike Ryuichi wouldn't dare to touch this pie easily. Without the cabinet's tacit approval, if we make any noise, we might be accused of 'disrupting market order,' which would not only ruin our chances in the election but also bring trouble upon ourselves."

Hiroshi Nohara understood.

He knew that the reason Japan's real estate bubble had lasted so long was because of the intertwined interests of the upper echelons. The cabinet, members of parliament, and real estate tycoons formed a huge network of interests that ordinary people simply could not shake.

He nodded, not insisting further, but his tone carried a barely perceptible sigh: "I understand your concerns. Then let's change our approach and start with the pain points in people's lives."

He picked up a report on employment data:
"Look, Tokyo's youth unemployment rate has reached 8.7%, double what it was five years ago. Many university graduates can't find permanent jobs and can only do temporary work, barely able to afford rent. We can make more short films like this, interviewing unemployed young people, office workers living in capsule apartments, and couples forced to postpone their weddings to buy a house, so that more people realize that Tanaka Mikami's real estate policies only benefit a minority, sacrificing the happiness of the majority." Yoshihiro Shimazu looked at the data on the report, his expression becoming serious.

He recalled the hardships of starting his business in his youth, and a sense of resonance welled up in his heart: "You're right, people's livelihood is the foundation. Tanaka Mikami only saw the short-term benefits brought by real estate, but ignored the survival difficulties of ordinary people. We will start from this point and let voters know that what I want is not superficial prosperity, but real peace and well-being."

He turned to the propaganda minister and said:
"Immediately arrange a team to interview unemployed college graduates, capsule apartment residents, and traditional craftspeople, and produce a series of short films to be broadcast daily during prime time on TV Tokyo and TV Kanto. In addition, compile a special report on 'People's Dilemmas Under the Real Estate Bubble,' print it into brochures, and distribute them free of charge in subway stations, communities, and schools."

"Yes, Mr. Shimazu!" The propaganda minister quickly wrote it down, turned around, and strode out of the office.

Only Hiroshi Nohara and Yoshihiro Shimazu remained in the office, and the atmosphere became somewhat silent.

Sunlight streamed through the window, illuminating the poll report on the table and the thoughtful expressions on the two men's faces.

Yoshihiro Shimazu picked up his teacup, took a sip of hot tea, and said with a touch of emotion, "Hiroshi-kun, to be honest, I'm increasingly glad that I didn't look down on you because of your youth when I was on TV Tokyo. Your vision and perspective far exceed your age. If I am successfully elected this time, the cultural development and economic transformation of Tokyo will still need your help."

Looking at the elderly man with graying temples before him, Hiroshi Nohara felt a surge of complex emotions.

He knew that Yoshihiro Shimazu genuinely wanted to do something practical for Tokyo, unlike Mikami Tanaka who was only after profit.

He replied softly, "Former President Shimadzu, you flatter me too much. I just did what I was supposed to do. And I believe that even without me, you would have found the right direction. The reason I was willing to help you is because I felt that your vision could truly make Tokyo a better place."

He knew that Japan's economy had already begun to show signs of decline in 1991.

The bursting of the real estate bubble is only a matter of time. The inflated stock market, high corporate debt, and youth unemployment all foreshadow a massive economic crisis.

Two or three years later, in 1994, the entire Japanese economy would completely plunge into the abyss, entering a long "lost decade".

This actually has nothing to do with whether or not Yoshihiro Shimazu is elected.

because……

This is a plan that was already set up on the other side of the ocean!

"By the way, Hiroshi-kun, is the script ready for the campaign promotion video you mentioned you were going to shoot?" Yoshihiro Shimazu suddenly changed the subject, his eyes full of anticipation.

Hiroshi Nohara took the script out of his briefcase and handed it over: "It's ready. This short film is divided into three parts. The first part uses clips from 'Neon Flavors' to show how the revival of traditional crafts is driving the local economy; the second part uses material from 'Super Transformation' to highlight the connections between people and the warmth of the community; the third part features you on screen to explain the policy proposition of 'cultural prosperity, economic transformation, and people's livelihood as the foundation.' For the background music, I chose the theme song from 'Midnight Diner,' which will better evoke emotional resonance from the audience."

Yoshihiro Shimazu took the script and quickly flipped through it, his smile growing brighter and brighter: "Excellent! This idea is perfect! It utilizes the influence of your work while clearly conveying my policy stance. When can we start filming? I'm available anytime."

“It can be done tomorrow,” Hiroshi Nohara replied. “I’ve already contacted the filming team from TV Tokyo. Ichiro Hashimoto will be in charge of on-site coordination, and Takeshi Yamamoto will help polish the lines. The filming location is the studio of TV Kanto, where the equipment is more advanced, and we can avoid interference from people like Mikami Tanaka.”

The two then discussed the filming details of the short film and the subsequent publicity plan for a while, finalizing everything from the location of the street speech to the way of interacting with voters and the contingency plan for public opinion response.

Before we knew it, it was already noon.

Yoshihiro Shimazu and Hiroshi Nohara had lunch at the campaign headquarters. The food in the cafeteria was simple, just a regular set meal, but the two of them enjoyed it very much.

During the meal, Yoshihiro Shimazu couldn't help but exclaim, "Hiroshi-kun, sometimes I really don't think you're a 23-year-old. Your composure, your vision, your strategy are all better than many people over sixty. How do you do it?"

Hiroshi Nohara picked up a piece of fried pork cutlet, put it in his mouth and chewed slowly, his tone calm: "Maybe it's because I've experienced a lot that I've come to understand what's most important. Whether it's making a film or participating in an election, the core is to capture people's hearts—to understand what people really need, and then to fulfill those needs in a way that they can accept."

Yoshihiro Shimazu nodded in deep agreement: "You're right. To win people's hearts is to win everything. Tanaka Mikami was too eager for quick success. He only thought about making money from real estate, but forgot that the hearts of the people are the foundation."

After lunch, Hiroshi Nohara left the campaign headquarters.

Stepping out the door, the sunlight was blinding. He looked up at the Tokyo sky, his heart filled with determination.

The next ten days or so will be a tough battle, but he is confident and capable of helping Yoshihiro Shimazu win this election.

He knew that the wheels of history were rolling forward, and that Japan's economic crisis was ultimately unavoidable.

But he hopes that through his own efforts, he can minimize the damage to himself and his family and friends caused by this crisis, and that he can have the opportunity to take advantage of the situation, or even strike it rich.

All of this began with helping Yoshihiro Shimazu win this election.

Thinking of this, Hiroshi Nohara's lips curled into a contemptuous smile: "Economic crisis? For those high-ranking officials who don't treat the people as their own, aren't they prepared to become monsters that devour their own kind to fatten themselves up?"

(End of this chapter)