America: My Time

Chapter 510 The Allure of Music Festivals
Chapter 510 The Allure of Music Festivals
John wanted more benefits from Japan. He wasn't about to waste his opportunity and tarnish his 'good' image in the eyes of the Japanese for a little money. Making such a decision for a measly advertising fee would be foolish, and John wasn't that stupid. He'd either not do it at all, or do it the best he could, getting more benefits directly from the Japanese, not just petty squabbles. John had that much patience!

“John, you are too modest. If you don’t dare to offer guidance, then I’m afraid no one in the world will. Your understanding of the semiconductor industry is truly remarkable. To be honest, we really want your help!” At this moment, Akio Morita had no choice but to step forward once again. After all, he was also a member of Japan and needed to do something for Japan.

“If possible, I think you should relocate your production overseas as soon as possible, or at least establish your own production facilities in the United States. This will help you get detailed information from the US side. Of course, this is just my own opinion. After all, I am also involved in the current situation and have been affected to some extent, so my thoughts may not be of any help to you.” John sighed softly as he said this.

If factories could be relocated, these Japanese companies would naturally do so, but they are reluctant, at least not now. After all, they have many employees to support, and relocating the factories would put a lot of pressure on them. Currently, Japan still uses an annual employee system, which is essentially a lifetime employment system for employees. Under these circumstances, the pressure on them to relocate the factories is unimaginable. Moreover, the Japanese government is unwilling to accept this, as it would cause them to lose a significant amount of tax revenue.

As long as there is a glimmer of hope, these Japanese companies will not make such a decision, so their fate is sealed. They are unwilling to make sacrifices and unwilling to cut their losses, so they will naturally face external pressure. When the bubble bursts, these companies will still face a devastating crisis.

However, this time, the research personnel of these Japanese companies will fall into John's hands, because John has made comprehensive preparations in Taiwan and is just waiting for the right opportunity; now is not the time. In John's eyes, these Japanese guys are too greedy, wanting to gain more benefits without considering the worst-case scenario or making any contingency plans.

Just as John had thought, Akio Morita sighed, “It’s difficult. If we could move production out, why wouldn’t we do it? Our difficulties are too great. You know the situation in Japan. The seniority system is a unique feature of Japan and a problem for companies like ours. You have to understand that all our employees are full-time. Without work for them, how can we bear this pressure?”

At this point, John nodded and said, "That's right. The situation in Japan is indeed difficult right now, which is why I'm hesitant to hire a large number of employees. I can only promote from the existing staff because I can't handle that kind of pressure! When in Rome, do as the Romans do. I don't want to be the one who breaks the rules and get scolded by others!"

Akio Morita breathed a sigh of relief when he saw that John understood his predicament. To be honest, he was worried that John would say something inappropriate, but thankfully that didn't happen. After all, John knew Japan quite well, and even if he didn't, the women around him did. Both Naoko and Hitomi Kuroki knew that.

While John was talking with these Japanese officials, Naoko, Akina Nakamori, and Hitomi Kuroki were all blending into different circles. Hitomi Kuroki was surrounded by people from Takarazuka Revue or management positions; after all, she had left the acting industry and had a different identity from the stars of the entertainment world. In contrast, Naoko and Akina Nakamori were surrounded by beautiful women who had started as idols.

"Akina, will you be attending this music festival? I heard that quite a few idols will be participating in the summer music festival, but unfortunately none of us received an invitation!" Hiroko Mita sighed. For idols like them, participating in such a large music festival would greatly help their fame.

"There's no way around it, this is a music festival organized by TV Tokyo, I can't possibly refuse!" Such a large music festival is too tiring. If she could, Akina Nakamori wouldn't want to participate, but the agency's arrangement made it impossible for her to refuse. After all, she didn't want people to think that she was high and mighty because she had connections and didn't take the agency's arrangements seriously!

In comparison, Naoko is much better off than Akina Nakamori. Elite Entertainment doesn't have this problem at all and didn't involve Naoko. They all know that Naoko doesn't lack such resources, and she is currently considering reducing her entertainment work, so the opportunity naturally went to other members of Elite Entertainment. Don't be fooled by the fact that the Summer Music Festival lasts for three days and is held simultaneously in Tokyo and Osaka; the number of people who want to attend is countless. Moreover, this is an international music festival with many European and American stars. At least Sony and Columbia will provide strong support, and there's also Universal Music. You can imagine how fierce the competition is.

"I really envy those people from the elite agency. Even their newly formed band can participate in the Fuji Rock Festival, while we can't even get an invitation. The difference in resources is just too big!" At this moment, Hidemi Ishikawa couldn't help but sigh. Their small group was all from the 82 Flower Group. They had been struggling in this industry for several years, so they naturally knew how low the status of idols was and understood the importance of resources.

Then look at the idols from Elite Agency: Momoko Kikuchi, Yoko Minamino, Minako Honda, Takako Okamura, Miho Nakayama, Yui Asaka, and Chisato Moritaka. None of them lack resources. They can obtain all the resources of the Phoenix Group, and they can also obtain resources from NHK, especially in recent years.

This year's Fuji Rock Festival will be open to ZARD, Dream Come True, and BZ. These three bands are all newly formed, yet they have all secured tickets to the Fuji Rock Festival, making many Japanese singers and bands envious. After all, they have powerful connections!
"Sigh, let's not even think about such a big music festival. There's no place for us. Only Akina, Matsuda Seiko, and Kashiwabara Yoshie can get tickets! But have you heard? Onyanko Club is disbanding. A lot of people are looking for agencies. I never thought they would collapse in just a few years. And the current rumors are not good for us idols. I heard that resources for us female idols are decreasing!"

At this time, the turmoil caused by Onyanko Club has grown bigger and bigger, and the ice age of idols has appeared. This has made many agencies worry about the fate of their idols. Even the 82 Flower Group is no exception and they all feel considerable pressure. Perhaps only Nakamori Akina does not have such worries, after all, she has someone behind her.

It was precisely because of the ice age of idols that Hidemi Ishikawa and the others valued the Summer Music Festival so much. They also knew that Seiko Matsuda and Yoshie Kashiwabara were able to participate in the Summer Music Festival by following Naoko's path. Unfortunately, they found out too late. Even if they wanted to ask Akina Nakamori, it was too late; there were no more spots available.

“If you need any help, you can tell me. If it’s with TV Tokyo, I can put in a good word for you!” Nakamori Akina said at this moment. Although some of her resources had been taken by Ken-On, she could still help her friends get some resources from TV Tokyo.

The reason Ishikawa Hidemi and the others said those things to Nakamori Akina was precisely because of this statement. They believed that if Nakamori Akina spoke up, TV Tokyo would still give her face, and more resources meant more fame. Matsuda Seiko was able to get tickets to the Summer Music Festival even after her retirement, solely thanks to Naoko's influence. Similarly, Kashiwabara Yoshie, despite her rapidly declining popularity, still managed to get tickets, again thanks to Naoko's influence. If Naoko hadn't intervened, they would have had little chance of participating in the Summer Music Festival given their current status.

Compared to Naoko's reduced activities, allowing her to focus more on her creative work and self-care, Akina Nakamori did not. She continued to participate in various activities without reducing her workload. This is because her family did not try to persuade her to stop. Unlike Naoko and Hitomi's families, who cared about their lives and futures, Akina's family only cared about money and had not considered her well-being at all.

Although their funding sources were cut off, they still didn't give up their real estate investments. They were all obsessed with money. Since they couldn't get money from the agency and record company, they kept trying to extort money from Akina Nakamori. This family was really a headache. Even though Akina Nakamori lived with Naoko, she couldn't escape their harassment. They couldn't go to Akina Nakamori's house, but they could go to her agency to wait for her.

Ken-on was at a loss with this family and was extremely troubled. However, since Akina Nakamori hadn't spoken up, they couldn't interfere; after all, it was her family matter, and outsiders shouldn't meddle. John had also heard about Akina's situation, but he was helpless. As long as Akina didn't speak up, he could only let these guys continue. However, with each of their antics, the family bonds would gradually be eroded!
(End of this chapter)