Flying over the bubble era

Chapter 1576-1577. A Good Eye for People
Throughout the spring, Shinichi Iwahashi was making contacts for his planned talent show.

Logically, if he didn't plan to release the show immediately, there was no need to make plans now. But he was in a hurry, as if he wanted everyone in the industry to know that he was preparing a show.

The strange thing is that, even though Shinichi Iwahashi was making a big fuss about preparing for the talent show, when you actually asked him about the specifics, he would subtly change the subject and refuse to reveal his hand.

Such behavior is not only drastically different from his previous style, but also rare in the industry. It makes one wonder what Shinichi Iwahashi is up to.

Talent shows used to be a panacea.

But in this era, can it still play that role?

While the industry is certainly looking forward to seeing what new tricks Shinichi Iwahashi, the Midas touch, can come up with in the talent show, there are still many doubts in their hearts.

This spring, Ayumi Hamasaki and Namie Amuro are undoubtedly still the most talked-about figures.

No matter how many newcomers debut, how many big names release records, or how many million-selling singles and albums are released one after another, only when these two girls make a move do they have that kind of aura that attracts everyone's attention and makes passersby stop to take a look at the result.

Globe became an instant hit upon their debut, and Tetsuya Komuro's victory was effortless. The fact that the producer himself formed a band inevitably worried fans, who wondered if it would reduce their support for Namie Amuro. However, this inadvertently strengthened the fanbase.

On Namie Amuro's side, she gains the "desperate forces will prevail" bonus.

Meanwhile, Ayumi Hamasaki's new single was produced by Akina Nakamori. Momohura Starr's official involvement in the artist's production has generated considerable buzz. Furthermore, Hamasaki's styling incorporates a modified kimono, reminiscent of a traditional design.

Both Namie Amuro and Ayumi Hamasaki have a natural talent for creating buzz.

Viewers can't help but wonder: Will Ayumi Hamasaki and Namie Amuro be the new generation's Akina and Seiko?

Of course, these are two completely different trends in terms of style. However, as long as something is given meaning, it will arouse greater enthusiasm for the fight. Even the most trivial things can become the center of attention if they are given a powerful title.

Humans are inherently combative, and therefore, they are keen to imbue all sorts of things with grand meaning.

……

April 1st is the day new employees join the company, as is customary.

This year, Shinichi Iwahashi selected Haruko Akamatsu as the company representative to address the new employees. Haruko Akamatsu, composed and reserved, was perfectly suited to the occasion.

"You actually mean to say that I'm cold, don't you?"

After the event, Haruko Akamatsu followed behind him. She responded to his praise with these words. Having been Shinichi Iwahashi's subordinate for so many years, Haruko Akamatsu occasionally displayed a touch of humor.

If we consider this a form of humor.

Shinichi Iwahashi denied it: "On the contrary, I knew from the very beginning that you are cold on the outside but warm on the inside. As a producer, if you only have emotions, you will only become second-rate. But if you lack emotions, you can't become truly first-rate."

“I have a pretty good eye for people,” Shinichi Iwahashi said, changing the subject. “So, I trust your judgment of people too.”

Haruko Akamatsu lowered her head slightly.

Shinichi Iwahashi suddenly asked, "What's your impression of that Keiko-san?"

He was referring to Keiko Fujishima. Haruko Akamatsu, as GENZO's representative, was responsible for liaising with Johnny & Associates regarding TOKIO. Within Johnny & Associates, Fujishima was in charge of TOKIO, and the two had interacted quite a bit.

Haruko Akamatsu thought for a moment, "Keiko-san has quite the temperament of a literary figure."

Shinichi Iwahashi was speechless.

"That's a rather peculiar assessment."

“Keiko-san has some impressively delicate qualities,” Haruko Akamatsu said, carefully choosing her words.

At this moment, Shinichi Iwahashi gained a profound understanding of the strange and unpredictable nature of Kyoto people.

Back in the president's office, Shinichi Iwahashi gestured for Haruko Akamatsu to sit down. A clerk quickly brought tea, and Haruko Akamatsu recalled her impressions of Keiko Fujishima.

“Keiko-san may not agree with Mary-san’s approach. Moreover,” she hesitated for a moment, “there is speculation that Jeni-san will groom Keiko-san as his successor, but in reality, it doesn’t seem to be the case. Jeni-san has no interest in making the agency a century-old business.”

This is the perspective of a young lady like Haruko Akamatsu, who comes from an ancient family.

Shinichi Iwahashi listened with great interest, then suddenly posed a question: "So, you believe that the power to decide the successor lies with Mary-san."

Haruko Akamatsu tacitly agreed, but then cautiously added, "However, the fact that it doesn't matter whether the heir is Keiko-san or not also means that it is both 'possible' and 'not possible'."

In other words, Hiroki Kitagawa can be a little capricious at any time. Anyway, even if the agency eventually falls apart, he doesn't care about the consequences.

Shinichi Iwahashi pondered, "If that's the case, then the direct descendants of the family must lose the right to appear in public..." for this "can" to become "cannot".

He didn't hide his thoughts from Haruko Akamatsu. Michi Iijima was sent to Fuji TV, first to manage SMAP's programs, and then invited by Johnny Kitagawa to join Johnny's, becoming SMAP's managing director. Kitagawa trusted her greatly and even put her in charge of selecting Jr. members.

Haruko Akamatsu knew all about these things.

That unassuming young woman displayed abilities and perseverance that made her a force to be reckoned with. Even Shinichi Iwahashi, seeing Michi Iijima join Johnny's as planned and take on the important task assigned by Hiroshi Kitagawa, couldn't help but re-evaluate her.

With her abilities, she could climb to an even higher position.

But if you want to pick the most important fruit, you still need to rely on external forces.

Fortunately, there was still enough time. Shinichi Iwahashi had enough patience to watch her turn Johnny's upside down, and then wait for the right opportunity.

Things should be done one step at a time.

Haruko Akamatsu remained silent, pondering what Shinichi Iwahashi was thinking at that moment.

Finally, Shinichi Iwahashi looked at Haruko Akamatsu and said, "I trust your judgment of people..." He then gave the order: "So, I'm assigning you a task."

"Yes."

"Choose a new representative for me to participate in a talent show."

Haruko Akamatsu, unconcerned about the shift in topic, dutifully asked, "What kind of show will this be?"

Shinichi Iwahashi replied, "It's a program where one person, one vote."

If you have a gun, it's hard to resist the urge to shoot. Similarly, once you get a vote, you'll want to vote for someone. That's the kind of program Shinichi Iwahashi is going to create.

Haruko Akamatsu, having glimpsed the true nature of his plan, pondered for a moment: "Then, such a program would be detrimental to the champion. Because the audience's enthusiasm for him would be exhausted right from the start. On the contrary, it would be the loser who was just one step away... After all, people are always eager to make up for regrets."

Especially in this era filled with regrets.

Shinichi Iwahashi smiled, knowing that Haruko Akamatsu had completed her training and become his most trusted assistant. He relaxed, "Yes. In that case, I'll leave the rest to you. Haruko, pick a good hand for GENZO."

Haruko Akamatsu accepted the task and gained the right to ask questions: "What is your reason for going to such lengths?"

“Good question,” Shinichi Iwahashi replied. “We are preparing for war.”

No matter how much Shinichi Iwahashi tried to make connections, Tetsuya Komuro always kept his trump card hidden. He was slowly weaving a web before revealing his true strength. At that point, this web would become the pressure he was putting on Ikuo Suo.

The entire industry, from advertising agencies to television stations, needs to be happy about this. Only in this way can Suo Ikuo be severely damaged.

The reason why industry shady forces like BURNING can exist with such a loose structure is that joining this pyramid is tantamount to surrendering to the forces linked by Ikuo Suo.

Suo Ikuo gained power because of this ecosystem, and after a long time of using the tiger's power as a cover, no one doubted that he was a fierce tiger.

Even he himself was convinced that he was a tiger. From time to time, he would force the forces behind him to back down. As the agent in the spotlight, he was unable to adapt his policies to the times and possessed too much power, which made it easy for him to be put on the defensive.

To counter Suo Ikuo's offensive, the first step is to expose his weaknesses and place him in a vulnerable position. Externally, the net must be tightened gradually, leaving him angry but powerless to stop it. Internally, opportunities must be created for them to split apart on their own.

It must be understood that such a large organization cannot be fundamentally damaged by external forces alone. Only by causing internal divisions can it be brought to its knees. Tightening the net from the outside is intended to hasten the pace of internal disintegration.

The three key lieutenants are Suo Ikuo, Kawanishi Shigeo, Higuchi Norio, and Baba Shunichi.

These three people, however, have three different thoughts.

Whether or not he gets a good card from the audition program isn't really that important to Shinichi Iwahashi. His real intentions lie elsewhere. With the atmosphere sufficiently set, it's time to reveal information about Tetsuya Komuro.

While Suo Ikuo mocked Iwahashi Shinichi for producing a talent show in this era, he was still wary. He had heard about this at the New Year's banquet, laughed it off, but afterwards still sent people to keep an eye on him and wait to see what he would do.

As a result, all we heard were fragmented pieces of information, as if this so-called program was just a topic for Shinichi Iwahashi to pass the time.

Suo Ikuo waited to see how he would handle the situation. At that moment, rumors about Iwahashi Shinichi's new program began to circulate and reached his ears.

Will Tetsuya Komuro go and support Shinichi Iwahashi's audition program?

...To lend a hand?!

Suo Ikuo had hosted a banquet for the media the night before and was in a very good mood. That was why he was so furious when he suddenly learned of this information.

It was as if the imposing presence he displayed at the banquet the night before was nothing more than self-indulgence.

Suoh Ikuo remained expressionless, his face ashen. He instinctively reached into the drawer, where a small pistol was hidden.