American Medicine God: Starting by Inheriting a Pharmaceutical Company and Selling Medicine

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An extra chapter has been added. Thank you to the two great authors, "Life is Everywhere Green Mountains 0.0" and "Love in Ryeba," for the "explosive update" gift!

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Sakura Pharmaceutical Headquarters, President's Office.

Kenji Tanaka slumped into a leather swivel chair.

Tokyo outside the window was still bustling, and the neon lights of Ginza were still flashing, but in his eyes, the city was collapsing.

He lost. He lost inexplicably.

Just a month ago, he was waving his checkbook, ready to buy up an American pharmaceutical giant and build a new business empire in Washington. Now, he can't even protect his own company. His two billion dollars in cash in the United States has been frozen by CFIUS, and his stronghold in Japan is on fire.

"Prepare the car." Tanaka stood up, forcing himself to calm down. He was a descendant of samurai; he couldn't just admit defeat like this.

"Go to Kasumigaseki. I need to see the Minister of Finance. Sakura Pharmaceuticals is a national enterprise, the face of Japan's pharmaceutical industry; the government cannot stand by and watch it fail. Too big to fail!"

However, when his luxury car drove into Kasumigaseki (the area where Japanese government offices are located), he experienced an unprecedented cold reception.

The officials who used to fawn over him were nowhere to be seen. The Minister of Finance did not see him. Only a young vice minister hurriedly greeted him in the corridor, without even inviting him into his office for a cup of tea.

"Mr. Tanaka, I sympathize with your situation." The vice minister adjusted his glasses, speaking in a businesslike tone, holding a document in his hand. "However, the U.S. Treasury Department has just sent a diplomatic note."

"The U.S. side has made it clear that if the Japanese government uses administrative power to intervene in the stock market or provides non-market-based bailouts to specific companies, it will be considered a violation of the 'free market principles' and 'non-tariff barriers.' The Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR) will immediately initiate a 'Super 301' investigation and consider imposing a 100% punitive tariff on Japanese exports of automobiles and semiconductors."

"What free market principles!" Tanaka trembled with rage, pointing at the vice minister's nose. "This is robbery! This is blatant extortion! It's Victor Corleone pulling the strings behind the scenes! He's in cahoots with Wall Street! Can't you see that?"

"Perhaps." The vice minister closed the folder, a hint of helplessness flashing in his eyes. "But this is a decision from above. For the sake of the current state of Japan-US relations, and to preserve the export markets for Toyota and Sony, we have no choice but to ask you... to resolve the liquidity crisis yourself. After all, sacrificing one pharmaceutical company is more worthwhile than sacrificing the entire automotive industry."

Sacrifice the pawn to save the king.

Tanaka was politely but firmly asked to leave the Ministry of Finance.

Standing in the cold wind, this once arrogant tycoon felt a chill run down his spine.

He was abandoned. Abandoned by the very country he had always been so proud of, like a rusty screw discarded. Before the cold, hard machinery of the state, personal ambition was as insignificant as a speck of dust.

Just then, his cell phone rang.

It was an unfamiliar American number.

Tanaka hesitated for a moment before pressing the answer button.

"Moshi moshi (hello)?"

"Good afternoon, Mr. Tanaka. Or should I say good morning? After all, there's a time difference."

The voice that came from the other end of the phone was one he hated to the core, a voice he could recognize even if the person were reduced to ashes.

"Victor Corleone," Tanaka gritted his teeth as he uttered the name.

"I heard you're looking for money?" Victor got straight to the point, without any preamble.

"I know Sumitomo Bank is pressing for repayment. Five hundred million dollars, right? If you don't come up with it by tomorrow morning, Sakura Pharmaceuticals will change hands. Your creditors will devour your company like vultures."

"What are you trying to say?"

"I want to say, I have money."

Tanaka was stunned.

"I can lend you five hundred million dollars as an emergency bridge loan," Victor continued. "This money is enough for you to pay off the bank's margin, release the mortgage, save your headquarters building, preserve the legacy your father left behind, and safeguard the honor of the Tanaka family."

"What are the conditions?" Tanaka didn't believe in free lunches, especially not from the devil.

"It's simple." Victor chuckled. "I want a 51% controlling stake in Sakura Pharmaceuticals. And, immediately and unconditionally, withdraw all takeover offers for Wotter Pharmaceuticals."

"You're dreaming!" Tanaka roared into the phone, drawing stares from passersby. "This isn't just an acquisition, it's a takeover! You want to devour Sakura Pharmaceutical! You want to turn Japan's pharmaceutical industry into an American colony!"

“This is called a ‘reverse takeover,’ Mr. Tanaka. It’s the rule of the game on Wall Street.” Victor’s tone suddenly turned cold. “You have two choices.”

"First, accept my money. You can still retain 49% of the shares, continue as honorary president, and save face. You can publicly declare it a 'strategic partnership.' Your family will remain wealthy and respected."

"Second, refuse me. Tomorrow morning the bank will auction off your company, you'll be ousted and have nothing. Your family will become a laughingstock throughout Japan. At that time, I think you'll need a sharp dagger to commit seppuku as an apology. I've already found a second for you."

"You..." Tanaka's hands trembled violently, as if his heart was being squeezed in someone's hand.

"I'll give you an hour to think about it," Victor said, and then hung up the phone.

"Beep—beep—beep—"

Hearing the busy tone on the phone, Tanaka felt an unprecedented sense of despair.

Just then, the secretary ran over in a panic, holding a fax in her hand.

"President! Something terrible has happened!"

"Just now, Sumitomo Bank officially notified us that the continued decline in stock price has triggered the second warning line. The margin shortfall has widened to $600 million! And... and they've frozen all of the company's operating accounts! Even employee payroll accounts have been locked!"

"Clang!"

Tanaka's mobile phone slipped from his hand and fell heavily to the ground.

That American didn't even give him an hour.

At this moment, the roles of hunter and prey are completely reversed!

Tanaka looked up at the gloomy sky over Kasumigaseki.

A few snowflakes drifted down and landed on his shoulder, melting into water stains that resembled cherry blossom petals as they fell.

The cherry blossoms have faded in this cold winter!