America: My Time

Chapter 506 Toshiba Crisis
Chapter 506 Toshiba Crisis
Unfortunately, before John could even leave Hong Kong, the Toshiba scandal broke out, shaking the entire United States. Good heavens, this time Japan was in deep trouble. Not only were individual American officials stirring up trouble, but all sectors of the American economy were also involved. The semiconductor industry was particularly vocal, as they had some old-timers backing them up. Those old-timers had finally found their chance. They had previously cooperated with them and given them face, but they didn't appreciate it. Now they were going to deliver a fatal blow.

When John received the message from the United States, he couldn't help but frown. Although he was prepared, this storm was even more terrifying. Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media had even received calls from the White House, asking for their help in this matter, so that Japan wouldn't have an easy time.

John had initially thought he could escape this incident, but the situation in the United States was escalating, putting immense pressure on him. This was completely beyond his expectations; he had underestimated the madness of those old guys. This storm was far more terrifying and insane than the previous one, even involving the White House. It seemed these old guys were going all out.

Faced with such a frenzied attack, the entire nation of Japan was gripped by panic. Those old guys seemed to want to wipe out Japan in one fell swoop, and their methods were terrifying. Even after hearing only the reports from Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Group, John couldn't help but sigh. These guys were shameless, trying to take advantage of Japan in everything. Overnight, Japan became universally hated in the United States.

At this time, John also received a call from Japan, a request from Akio Morita, because this time it wasn't just Toshiba that was unlucky; the entire Japanese corporate sector was severely impacted, and Sony was no exception.

“Mr. Morita, there is nothing I can do about this. Even I received a notification from the White House in Hong Kong, instructing Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Group to cooperate with their actions. What can I do? All I can say is that Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Group should try their best to place the responsibility on Toshiba and not target other Japanese companies. This is the limit of what I can do.”

"I understand your difficulties, but this time things have escalated too much, and it's almost impossible to control!" It's impossible that old man Akio Morita wouldn't know John's current situation, or understand why no one would inform John after such a huge commotion in the US. He could only hope that things wouldn't escalate further and drag down the entire Japanese corporate sector. Sony has also been impacted this time; someone in Hollywood has dragged Sony into the fray again, using the acquisition of Columbia Pictures as leverage!
"It's all Toshiba's fault for being too crazy. They dare to do such a thing. My business with the Russians even has restrictions on food. They dare to tamper with such sensitive machine tools. You Mitsui really have no idea about such a stupid thing you can do. I can only say they are too stupid. Under these circumstances, no one can do anything about it."

John didn't believe Mitsui was completely unaware of the Toshiba issue, nor did he believe the Japanese were completely ignorant. He simply underestimated the United States' capabilities and its reaction. This time, they would have to pay a heavy price, and Toshiba's fate was predictable. In this semiconductor confrontation, Japan was absolutely at a disadvantage.

This was an opportunity, the very opportunity he had always wanted. Before long, not only Toshiba would be in crisis, but the entire Japanese semiconductor industry would suffer. They would be losing a large portion of their market share in the memory chip sector, and this was his chance. However, the situation had changed. Those old fogies had clearly also set their sights on Japanese memory chip technology. Perhaps this time, their scheme would succeed, and they could get everything they wanted from Toshiba.

Of course, John wouldn't give up for nothing. He would get everything he wanted from Japan. He wanted not only technology but also talent. But now was not the time. The Japanese wouldn't compromise until they were beaten to the point of having no way out. And those old guys wouldn't get everything they wanted so easily.

"I never expected Toshiba to do something like this. Now we just hope that Mr. John can help us deal with this situation and prevent this incident from impacting the entire Japanese business community. We can't let all Japanese companies be implicated by Toshiba alone. We will try our best to meet any of your requests. Please lend us a hand out of consideration for our years of cooperation!"

"Alright, I will do my best, but I can't guarantee what the outcome will be. This time you will pay a heavy price, and Toshiba will have to show even greater 'sincerity.' Just what I know now is already shocking, and I believe you are not completely unaware of it!"

"I understand. As long as it doesn't implicate the entire Japanese corporate sector, this matter is solely Toshiba's fault and has nothing to do with anyone else. We cannot be implicated because of Toshiba's mistake. Thank you for your concern!"

"I can only do my best. I will return to the United States as soon as possible, and I hope there is still a chance for things to turn around!" John did not believe Akio Morita's words for a thousand times over. What did he mean by saying that this was only Toshiba's own fault? If no one supported them, would Toshiba dare to do this? And how could the Japanese government be completely unaware of such a thing? That was simply impossible. They could only say that Japan's misfortune was their own doing. But John would not say such things out loud. He also wanted to take this opportunity to tear a piece of flesh off Japan!
After the call ended, things were far from calm on the Japanese side. Several people asked, "Mr. Morita, what did Mr. John say? Did he agree to our request?" "He agreed to help us mediate for now, but the Toshiba incident has blown up too much, and the things we did were too sensitive. We'll have to pay a heavy price. Besides, Mr. John can't guarantee what the outcome will be. After all, he's currently in Hong Kong and doesn't know much about the situation in the United States. He'll return to the United States as soon as possible."

"Toshiba must take responsibility for their actions. If their stupidity leads to the suppression of the entire Japanese business by the United States, they should commit seppuku. Other Japanese companies should not be harmed because of them, and Mitsui must also bear responsibility!" Good heavens, before the United States has even made any decisions, these Japanese guys have already started making trouble, directly demanding that Mitsui take responsibility. I have to say they are too crazy.

"Enough! What time is it? Why are you still causing trouble? We're not here to hold Toshiba and Mitsui accountable, but to figure out how to resolve this crisis. The Americans have been trying to suppress us because of the semiconductor issue, and now Toshiba has given them the perfect excuse. This time, it's impossible for us to get away without paying a price, it's just a matter of how big or small. And this time, we absolutely cannot let Toshiba's situation affect other companies!"

"That's right. The issue now isn't about assigning blame, but about resolving the crisis. We'll do everything we can to meet Mr. John's needs, just to resolve the crisis as quickly as possible and prevent it from escalating. We also have some understanding of this matter. In the US, the semiconductor industry, more precisely, the memory chip companies spun off from Intel, and the US automotive industry are driving all this. At least Legendary Entertainment and Phoenix Media have maintained some restraint, not targeting other Japanese companies, only reporting on and condemning Toshiba. This is a stroke of luck amidst misfortune. If these two media giants had also gone all out, the situation would have been much more dangerous."

"If the problem isn't resolved quickly, things will only escalate. Those guys at Intel are probably eyeing Toshiba's memory chip technology. They've always wanted to cooperate with Toshiba, but they were rejected because they weren't sincere enough. So now that the opportunity has come, they're naturally going to do everything they can to suppress Toshiba and all Japanese companies!"

"Even if we know this is retaliation, what can we do? We have no ability to resist, nor any chance to defend ourselves. Now that they have a handle on Toshiba, we are powerless to do anything about it. We just hope that this matter cannot be escalated to the entire Japanese corporate sector. Perhaps we should let Toshiba and those guys talk. If we can end everything through cooperation, then let's end it quickly!"

"It's difficult. It's going to be very difficult to end this now. Those guys will make more demands, and cooperation will probably be impossible. They will directly demand the technology that Toshiba possesses. Those Americans are extremely greedy!"

"If we can end this, then we should give them the technology. It's better than letting the whole of Japan suffer because of Toshiba. Besides, judging from the current situation, those guys won't give up until they achieve their goal. We have no choice."

"That's true, but I'm afraid this crisis won't end just because Toshiba pays the price. Now those guys in Hollywood are targeting Sony, and the US auto industry is targeting Japanese automakers. Toshiba's meekness alone won't work. We have to prepare for the worst. And if Toshiba backs down and hands over the technology to those guys, what will Mr. John, who has been helping us, think? This matter won't end so easily."

At this moment, Akio Morita couldn't help but sigh and express his concerns. The matter was no longer just about Toshiba; it was about the Americans wanting to extract more benefits from Japan. Toshiba's compromise and submission were useless. The other side clearly wanted more benefits and more profits. Now the Americans held the reins, and they didn't want to let Japan go. There was nothing anyone could do. All they could do now was hope that the Americans wouldn't go too far and that John could provide them with enough help.

(End of this chapter)