Tokyo, 1991: Starting as a bank clerk

Chapter 332 Launches a Major Investigation into Konosuke Nakajima

As Matsumoto Takahiro finished speaking.

The office fell silent.

Matsumoto Takahiro's words were watertight and comprehensive.

He and Kiryu Yaya had already guessed that Kazama Toru would definitely come forward to accuse them of procedural irregularities.

So Kiryu Yaya had already prepared an explanation for him.

Seeing the uncertain expression on Kazama Toru's face, Matsumoto Takahiro smiled and continued, "Investigator Kazama, before sending the letter, I verbally informed the bank president. The bank president clearly expressed his support for the investigation team's evidence preservation work, so the procedural risks will be shared by the bank president and me."

These words were spoken.

game over.

When Matsumoto Takahiro brought up President Nakano Ryo, and stated that this had been decided by the president.

All of Kazama Toru's doubts will become utterly hollow.

Konosuke Nakajima instructed him to observe and intervene when appropriate, but Takahiro Matsumoto directly cited the bank president's endorsement. If he continued, it would be seen as questioning the bank president's judgment.

This is something Kazama Toru would never do.

With a somber expression, he bowed slightly and said, "Since it's the bank manager's intention, then there's naturally no problem. I just hope that Mr. Matsushita can provide complete file transfer records and authorization documents later for archiving purposes."

Matsumoto Takahiro nodded and said, "No problem. After today's meeting, I will have someone send copies of the relevant materials to the Inspection Department."

Kazama Toru didn't say anything more and looked away.

Matsumoto Takahiro did not linger on Kazama Toru.

He placed the teacup back on the table and smoothly moved on to the next agenda item: "Alright, let's talk about the progress plan for this week."

"We expect to receive initial feedback on the Chiyoda General Planning's revenue stream within three to five business days. During this time, we need to do two things."

"First, we need to create a complete timeline document outlining the corporate succession between Tokyo Urban Development and Kanto Asset Development between 1968 and 1969. Each stage, from establishment and financing to liquidation and restructuring, should have a corresponding file number and signature record."

"Secondly, we need to cross-compare this timeline document with the approval process for Kanto International Development's 30 billion yen credit line this year. We need to prepare a complete set of background materials before the funds from Chiyoda come back. That way, as soon as the funds are received, the evidence will immediately match up."

Section Chief Ando finally closed the file in front of him and looked up: "I'll take care of the timeline document. I've done similar customer analysis in the Sales Department, so I'm familiar with the process."

Matsumoto Takahiro glanced at him, said nothing more, and simply nodded: "Thank you for your hard work, Section Chief Ando."

Section Chief Ando nodded slightly, said nothing more, picked up the folder on the table, and got up to walk towards the door.

Sanae Fushimi glanced at his back, then at Takahiro Matsumoto, as if she wanted to say something, but ultimately remained silent.

Matsumoto Takahiro's gaze fell on Chihaya Yuri, his tone softening slightly: "Section Chief Chihaya, the index of old files from 1957 to 1961 was compiled by you and Kiryu together. The cross-referencing part was also handled by the two of you. Is there a problem?"

Chihaya Yuri nodded: "No problem."

Matsumoto Takahiro then turned to Fushimi Sanae, his tone calm: "Fushimi-san, you're new here. Start by working with Section Chief Chihaya to review the old files and familiarize yourself with the investigation team's material structure and filing methods. If you have any opinions of your own, feel free to voice them at any time."

Sanae Fushimi bowed slightly: "Understood, thank you, Deputy Chief."

Matsumoto Takahiro stood up: "Alright, that's all for today's morning meeting. Kiryu-kun, come with me for a moment."

Kiryu Yaya nodded, got up, and followed Matsumoto Takahiro out of the office.

The two went to the tea room.

The tea room was small, with a vending machine against the wall and a neatly trimmed pothos on the windowsill.

Matsumoto Takahiro stood by the window, gently closed the door, and then turned around.

"What do you think about Section Chief Ando voluntarily taking on the timeline documents?"

Kiryu Yaya leaned against the vending machine, thought for a moment, and said, "We just said we were going to sort out the timeline, and he immediately took over. I feel something's off."

Takahiro Matsumoto nodded. "That's what I think too. He's getting a little impatient."

"But we can't refuse this."

Kiryu Yaya said, "He's a veteran in the sales department and he's definitely experienced in customer management. If we don't let him do it, it will seem like we're guarding against him, and that will cause problems with public opinion."

Matsumoto Takahiro paused for a moment, then said, "Let him do it. But have Chihaya keep a copy of the original. We need something to compare with the documents Ando submitted."

"clear."

Kiryu Yaya nodded.

Matsumoto Takahiro meant that this task should be carried out simultaneously on both sides.

Let Section Chief Ando do what he wants; whether they use the contents of the documents he submits is their business.

o

"There's one more thing."

Takahiro Matsumoto added, "The three to five business days I mentioned earlier is the most optimistic estimate. If someone at Tokyo Metropolitan Bank interferes, this period could be extended."

Kiryu Yaya knew what he was talking about.

Having worked in the banking system for thirty years, it's impossible for Konosuke Nakajima to have no connections whatsoever.

Although Tokyo Metropolitan Bank is not part of the Mitsubishi Group, the Kanto financial world is relatively small, and there are always intricate connections between different entities.

Kiryu Yaya thought for a moment and said, "For the sake of the Mitsubishi Bank Special Investigation Team, the final revenue of Chiyoda General Planning will definitely be in our hands. It's just a matter of how long the process will take."

Matsumoto Takahiro frowned slightly: "The initial estimate is three to five days."

"If someone drags out the process in the middle, the time could double."

As he spoke, he looked at Kiryu Yaya: "Judging from the current situation, that transit station is very likely the Chiyoda General Project."

"But we can't put all our hopes on the bank statements from Tokyo Metropolitan Bank."

"Kiryu-kun, do you have any other ideas?"

Kiryu Yaya nodded, but did not rush to answer.

After a long pause, under Matsumoto Takahiro's watchful gaze, he said slowly and deliberately, "Perhaps we can trace back Nakajima Konosuke's personal assets."

Matsumoto Takahiro's eyebrows twitched slightly.

"Personal property?"

Kiryu Yaya said calmly, "That's right. Kouyuu Hiko received the money through a shell company, and Takagi Yusuke received the money through Seiwa Consulting."

"Their capital repatriation paths all have one thing in common: the money eventually ends up in their personal assets, transforming into real estate, securities, overseas accounts, or trusts."

"If Konosuke Nakajima was also involved in this chain, then the money must have eventually flowed somewhere."

Matsumoto Takahiro knew what Kiryu Yaya was talking about.

However, people in banks, especially those at the executive level, usually don't deposit large sums of money directly into ordinary accounts.

They hold assets through real estate, trusts, overseas accounts, or companies under their family name.

In other words, trying to investigate Konosuke Nakajima's personal assets will most likely be a fruitless endeavor.

But when Matsumoto Takahiro expressed his concerns, Kiryu Yaya smiled slightly and said, "Deputy Minister, you have misunderstood me. I am not trying to find out about Nakajima Konosuke's unexplained assets, but rather to find out the possible time points for the return of funds from his legal assets."

Matsumoto Takahiro frowned slightly: "What does this mean?"

Kiryu Yaya knew that his idea might be a bit ahead of its time for Matsumoto Takahiro.

So he carefully explained, "Deputy Minister, if Nakajima Konosuke really accepted the money, he couldn't possibly deposit it directly into his own account; that would be too easy to expose."

"But as gray money grows, he will inevitably increase his spending."

"And anything that involves spending money will inevitably leave a trace."

"The purchase of real estate, large-scale spending records, injections into family trusts, and large-scale additions to securities accounts—these things will form a set of nodes on the timeline of his personal assets."

"These points will most likely coincide with the timing of the capital outflow from Chiyoda."

Matsumoto Takahiro nodded in understanding: "In other words, as long as we can obtain Managing Director Nakajima's asset information and compare it with the timeline of his personal asset changes, we can find crucial evidence."

"Even if this evidence itself is not solid enough, when it is put together with the bank statements of Tokyo Metropolitan Bank, the power of mutual corroboration will become apparent."

Kiryu Yaya smiled and said, "However, the difficulty of this plan lies in the fact that, Vice Minister, we need to determine which of Managing Director Nakajima's legal assets are worth investigating, and whether the timeline of these assets has changed."

"If he is really cautious and hides all his funds in overseas trusts and cash assets, then even if we want to investigate, we can only stop at speculation."

Matsumoto Takahiro nodded, but then frowned and said, "It is indeed a feasible idea, but as the managing director of the bank, Nakajima Konosuke's financial information will not be easily exposed to the outside world."

Kiryu Yaya smiled slightly and said, "We don't need his complete personal asset details. We only need to know if he had any significant asset changes around a few key time points. And obtaining this information is not as difficult as you might think."

Takahiro Matsumoto asked, "Oh? Do you have any specific ideas?"

Kiryu Yaya continued, "First of all, regarding real estate registration, although general real estate registration information is not publicly available, you can check the purchase records of real estate under the names of individuals and their relatives who are related to bank executives through the Legal Affairs Bureau's business registration ledger."

"Konosuke Nakajima's residence, investment properties, and properties he may hold in the names of relatives are all potential destinations for the repatriation of funds."

"Secondly, trust accounts. Mitsubishi Bank has its own trust business department. If we, as an investigation team, obtain Managing Director Nakajima's account information in the bank's trust department, it would be completely compliant from a procedural standpoint."

Matsumoto Takahiro's eyes lit up slightly.

"From a procedural standpoint, this plan is indeed possible. If Konosuke Nakajima really did use Mitsubishi Trust's channels to handle his personal assets, then when we, as the investigation team, access his trust account records, we will at least avoid the resistance of cross-bank investigations."

"but----"

Matsumoto Takahiro's tone shifted slightly: "This action will definitely alert him."

Kiryu Yaya also nodded: "That's exactly what I'm going to talk about next. Managing Director Nakajima should already know about the letter we sent to Tokyo Metropolitan Bank."

"Now that we've already broken off relations, he's not afraid of us provoking him again."

Matsumoto Takahiro pursed his lips slightly, then nodded after a moment: "You're right. Since we've already started the war, we should use everything we can on this ship, whether it's cannons or small boats."

Then, he changed the subject: "However, Kiryu-kun, even if we want to investigate Nakajima Konosuke's trust account, we need a clear reason. The investigation team cannot arbitrarily look through the personal asset records of a managing director. Even if we have the bank president's authorization order, the procedure must withstand scrutiny from someone like Kazama Toru."

Kiryu Yaya had clearly considered this, and calmly replied, "Deputy Minister, we can certainly initiate an retrieval request under the guise of a 'security review of assets related to the Kanto International Development Financing Case.'"

"The 30 billion yen credit guarantee has major flaws. As the managing director in charge of the general affairs department, Managing Director Nakajima should, according to procedure, conduct an asset security review of the large credit line related to this case. The flow of funds involved in the trust account can be used as part of the review process."

Upon hearing this, Matsumoto Takahiro chuckled softly: "So, you're saying we're not only investigating him, but also helping him fulfill his duties?"

"Exactly."

Kiryu Yaya smiled and said, "This excuse is not only reasonable, but it also makes it seem like our investigation team is relieving him, the managing director, of his workload."

The tea room was quiet for a moment.

Matsumoto Takahiro looked at Kiryu Yaya, the smile in his eyes slowly fading, replaced by a more serious expression.

"Okay, this plan can be implemented."

"I'll go to the trust department this afternoon to go through the formal retrieval process, under the guise of a security review of assets related to the Kanto International Development Project."

"The scope of materials that need to be retrieved includes the term trusts and investment trusts established by Konosuke Nakajima in the Bank's trust department, as well as trusts or fund custody arrangements that may have been established in the name of family members."

Kiryu Yaya nodded slightly and added, "However, Vice Minister, this retrieval operation is quite significant. Kazama Toru will definitely be keeping an eye on it."

Matsumoto Takahiro paused for a moment, then replied, "Let him keep an eye on us. Anyway, at this point, we have nothing left to hide."

Upon hearing this, Kiryu Yaya breathed a sigh of relief.

Next, as long as the information they obtain is solid enough, the name they have already identified will officially enter the core evidence system of the investigation team.

Faced with all this, Konosuke Nakajima could no longer extricate himself.

In other words, under his impetus, the investigation into Konosuke Nakajima was officially launched.

But in the end, these words were still Kiryu Yaya's words.

His real weapon for investigating Konosuke Nakajima's assets was, of course, the "banker's eye"!

Kiryu Yaya smiled inwardly.

Managing Director Nakajima, are you ready for their big investigation?