Traveling Through the Tokyo Bubble Era

Chapter 1033 Brothers Discuss Yuzuru

“The environment here is really nice.”

In a teahouse in Bunkyo Ward, Yutaro Hatoyama, sitting opposite Hideki Hanyu, looked out at the tranquil courtyard and exclaimed in admiration.

Hideki Hanyu replied with a smile, "That's why I bought it."

This teahouse originally belonged to Haruko Naito, but it was taken over by Hideki Hanyu.

As it happened, Hideki Hanyu was lacking a place where he could communicate privately in a low-key manner and not attract attention, so he simply bought it from Haruko Naito.

However, the reason he invited Yutaro Hatoyama and Mr. Hatoyama sitting next to him over that evening was not to hear them praise the teahouse.

Hideki Hanyu turned his gaze to Mr. Hatoyama, "What is your consideration, sir?"

"If President Yuzuru's information is accurate, this is indeed an opportunity for me. After all, our current advantage is very small, and any force is worth fighting for."

Mr. Hatoyama replied to this point, and then added, "Itochu Corporation involves many interests and has close cooperation with the Dai-ichi Kangyo Group. Any action related to it will attract a lot of attention."

Even Chairman Yuzuru would probably find it difficult to intervene in its internal affairs without a legitimate excuse; at the very least, Mitsui would not agree.

So I'm really curious to know what reason President Yuzuru will use to get involved in this, and how he plans to help me in this matter.

After listening to Mr. Hatoyama's words, Hideki Hayu did not answer immediately, but instead asked a question in return.

"I wonder if Mr. Hatoyama is familiar with Ito Tadashi?"

"I don't know it very well, I just have a general idea," Mr. Hatoyama replied.

Mr. Yuzuru then asked, "In your opinion, Mr. Hatoyama, given the current situation, after Director Naito's death, is there anyone in the Naito family who can inherit his position and maintain the Naito family's control over the Itochu board of directors?"

Mr. Hatoyama thought for a moment, then shook his head and said, "I cannot answer this question."

However, while Mr. Hatoyama could not answer, Hideki Hanyu gave a resolute answer.

"No one can do that."

By my standards, there is no one of exceptional talent among the next generation of the Naito family heirs.

Whoever succeeds Naito as director will not be able to maintain the same level of control over the Itochu board of directors as Naito did.

Even if it doesn't show up in the short term, Itochu will definitely take the opportunity of the year-end board meeting to elect a new chairman.

Director Naito could remain in that position and still have strong control over Itochu Corporation, but his son did not have that ability.

Therefore, if the Naito family fails to secure the chairmanship at the year-end board meeting, their decline in power within Itochu is inevitable.

At this point, Hideki Hanyu tapped his fingers lightly on the tea table and looked at Mr. Hatoyama, asking a question.

"So before considering other issues, we need to determine one thing first: which side will the gentleman take?"

This time, Yutaro Hatoyama answered first, "In order to maximize our interests, we should help the weaker party, so it's the Naito family."

After Yutaro Hatoyama finished answering, Mr. Hatoyama shook his head and added.

"This is just the most basic reason, but not the decisive one."

Aside from the Naito family, the Itochu board's power is highly dispersed. Therefore, if we choose to side with another faction, not only will it be difficult to find a unified entity, but we are also highly likely to fail to receive the rewards we deserve.

Hideki Yuzuru agreed, saying, "That's right, that's my thought too. Even if the Naito family's heir is not capable enough, it's still better than a disorganized mess."

"So, how will President Yuzuru answer my question?" Mr. Hatoyama steered the conversation back to the topic.

Upon hearing this, Hideki Yuzuru smiled, his handsome face revealing a hint of a smile. "How I will intervene, Mr. Hatoyama, will soon find out. As for how I will help you, sir?"

Hideki Hanyu feigned confusion, "When did I say I would help you, sir?"

Upon hearing Hideki Hanyu's words, Yutaro Hatoyama could no longer remain silent.

"Hanyu-san, no..."

"Yutaro!"

However, before Yutaro Hatoyama could finish speaking, he was interrupted by Mr. Hatoyama, who was standing next to him.

Following that, Mr. Hatoyama looked at Hideki Hanyu and said, "President Hanyu, perhaps you don't understand what I want to do."

No, I know.

Hideki Hanyu looked at Mr. Hatoyama and slowly said, "The Liberal Arts Party has lost the support of the people due to a series of scandals. Everyone thinks that you want to establish a separate faction within the Liberal Arts Party."

But in my opinion, sir, you no longer wish to associate with these vermin of the Self-Declaration Party and are quietly plotting to establish your own independent entity. Am I right?

The moment Hideki Hanyu finished speaking, a look of surprise flashed across Mr. Hatoyama's face, but it disappeared immediately and was replaced by a smile of admiration.

clap clap!

Mr. Hatoyama clapped his hands and exclaimed, "Truly worthy of Chairman Yuzuru."

Hideki Hanyu said, "It seems that you have admitted it, sir."

“That’s right.” After confirming, Mr. Hatoyama asked, “So, President Hanyu is planning to support me ahead of schedule?”

Hideki Hanyu shook his head. "Like I just said, I won't help you with Ito Tadashi's matter, so I won't support your plan either."

Mr. Hatoyama asked, "What does Chairman Hanyu mean?"

Hideki Hanyu countered, "Do you really think that my public support for you now is a good thing for your plans?"

Just one rhetorical question immediately silenced Mr. Hatoyama.

However, Hideki Hanyu's words did not stop.

"I've said everything I needed to say. How to leverage Itochu's power struggle and how to use Itochu to influence the First Bank Group's influence is up to you, sir."

No one else can help with this, and no one can help you, sir.

Mr. Hatoyama nodded upon hearing this, but did not speak, seemingly still pondering.

Hideki Hanyu, however, stood up abruptly. "Gentlemen, that's enough for today's meeting. It's getting late, and I should go back and rest."

Then, as Hideki Yuzuru got up to say goodbye, he had just reached the door when he suddenly stopped and said to the two people who were seeing him off.

"You two don't need to see me off. A few more guests will be arriving at the teahouse soon. Perhaps you two can become friends."

Hideki Hanyu's words were full of meaning, and immediately made Yutaro Hatoyama and his cousin stop in their tracks.

Hideki Hanyu left the tea room directly and headed towards the exit.

Just as he was about to leave, a guest walked in from outside, led by a waiter.

Although it was dark, one could still recognize him upon closer inspection. Wasn't this the former Japanese Prime Minister Takeshita, whom Hideki Hanyu had met after attending the opening ceremony of the Asian Games in Japan?

However, the two, who had been chatting happily, now merely nodded slightly to each other as they passed each other without exchanging any words.

After Hideki Hanyu left the teahouse, Yutaro Hatoyama accompanied his cousin and met with several guests, staying for a full three hours before leaving.

After the two brothers got into the car, Yutaro Hatoyama asked his cousin with some doubt.

“I really don’t understand why Yuzuru-san is unwilling to help you. Is there something we haven’t done well enough? But whether it’s Storm Advertising, Kotani Mitsuhiro, or the previous Xidu Group, my cousin has clearly been supporting him.”

Hearing Yutaro Hatoyama's words, Mr. Hatoyama rubbed his temples helplessly, "You should just focus on working at Storm Advertising from now on."

"Did I say something wrong?" Yutaro Hatoyama could tell that his cousin clearly did not agree with what he said.

Mr. Hatoyama countered, "Do you really think Chairman Hanyu didn't help us?"

"Really?" Yutaro Hatoyama asked, his face full of doubt upon hearing his cousin's words.

"If he really didn't want to help me, why did he ask me out tonight, tell me what happened, and hint at what he would do?"
If he really doesn't want to help me, how do you explain the appearance of those other people? It can't just be that they came for tea at night and happened to run into us, can it?
Especially Mr. Takeshita, do you think it would have been possible for him and me to cross paths if no one had acted as a go-between?

Mr. Hatoyama's words made Yutaro Hatoyama realize something, but he still wanted to ask questions.

"But……"

However, Mr. Hatoyama clearly already knew what Yutaro Hatoyama wanted to ask, and interrupted him before he could finish speaking.

"There are no buts. You need to understand one thing: President Yuzuru is President Yuzuru. His inclination to help me does not mean that the forces he represents are willing to help me."

He is no longer the same person who needed your help to win an award at the Japanese Film Academy Awards.

Surrounding him is an extremely powerful force, which includes multiple interest groups and local powers.

In particular, the media he controls is a force that can completely determine the balance of power, and it is also the most sensitive thing for all forces in Japan.

So even if he leans towards me, he won't easily make a decision for the forces behind him unless I can demonstrate value that allows him to persuade the majority.

Mr. Hatoyama's explanation was so clear that Yuta Hatoyama finally understood.

"So that's why he said earlier that his public support for you might not necessarily be a good thing for you."

"Hey……"

Upon hearing this, Mr. Hatoyama sighed again, deeply regretting that it was the right thing for the family not to arrange for his cousin to enter politics.

But every personality has its advantages and disadvantages. Perhaps it is precisely this straightforward personality that has allowed him to remain friends with Hideki Hanyu to this day.

But in order to carry out the plan and to prevent Yutaro Hatoyama from making a mistake, he had to continue explaining.

"In my opinion, Hideki Hanyu, or rather the forces he represents, will never support one person forever."

The interest groups he has built over the years, and the forces bound by those interest groups, are vast yet extremely complex.

This has led to this force being completely different from factions in the traditional sense.

They serve only the interests that form the basis of their existence.

In other words, they support whoever is beneficial to their interests.

Whether it's me or anyone else, it makes no difference to them.

Yutaro Hatoyama frowned and said, "This kind of power, built purely for profit, sounds a bit strange, and it feels somewhat unreliable."

Mr. Hatoyama laughed and said, "Hehe, do you really think that the factions within the Jimei Party are united together for the sake of ideals?"
Your experience at Dentsu isn't enough for you to see clearly that all those guys are just paying lip service to their ideals while actually pursuing their own interests.
Hideki Hanyu was able to build his current power in such a short time, and this approach, based on mutual benefit, is undoubtedly the most suitable choice.

Yutaro Hatoyama asked, "Doesn't Hanyu-san's approach have any drawbacks?"

"Of course there are, and the drawbacks are very serious."

As the saying goes, those who rely on their looks to please others will find their favor waning as their beauty fades. Those who associate based on self-interest will find their friendships weakening when the benefits are gone.

If one day, the foundation upon which Hideki Hanyu has built his power base collapses and can no longer generate profits, he will inevitably suffer a severe backlash.

As Mr. Hatoyama finished speaking, he noticed the worried look on Yutaro Hatoyama's face. He seemed to want to reassure his cousin, but ultimately hesitated and didn't say anything.

What he meant was that as the interest group built by Hideki Hanyu becomes more stable and powerful, it will inevitably use every means to maintain its existence.

Even if these methods break through the country's rules and bottom line, even if they sacrifice the future of Japan.

Therefore, the stronger the interest group that Hideki Hanyu has built, the less likely the worst outcome will occur.

……

While Yutaro Hatoyama was discussing Hideki Hanyu with his cousin, let's rewind the timeline by a few hours.

After leaving the teahouse, Hideki Hanyu left some people to maintain security before getting into his car and leaving directly.

The place he went next was neither back to the Yorozuya to rest, nor to the Shitagaya Ward to continue harassing Naito Eimi.

Instead, after listening to a program on Fuji Radio, he instructed Marco to drive directly to Kawata-cho in Shinjuku Ward, the headquarters of Fuji Radio.

Upon arriving at the television station, Hideki Yuzuru originally intended to head straight to his destination. However, perhaps due to his undisguised appearance, he was stopped by Koichi Minato, who had rushed over, as soon as he entered the headquarters.

"Kouichi-san, you've worked hard, still working so late."

As Hideki Hanyu greeted Koichi Minato, he continued his search for his target without stopping.

Koichi Minato followed closely, saying to Hideki Hanyu, "My hard work is not important; what's important is that I have work to report to you, Chairman."

Hideki Hanyu said impatiently to Koichi Minato, "We can talk about it another day. I didn't come here for work tonight."

Gang Hao quickly asked, "What does the chairman want to do? If you don't mind, you can tell me, and I might be able to help."

"What else can I do but find beautiful women?"

After finishing his sentence, Hideki Hanyu turned to Koichi Minato and asked, "I just heard on the radio that Noriko Sakai is participating in a radio program. Do you know where she is right now?"

There was no need for Gang Haoyi to answer Hideki Hanyu's question. Immediately, the radio station manager who was with Hideki Hanyu bowed and scraped as he gave the chairman directions.

Upon seeing this, Hideki Hanyu immediately waved to Koichi Minato, "Koichi-san, go and get back to work, don't disturb my nightlife."

However, Koichi Minato still did not intend to give up, and he followed up with Hideki Hanyu.

"President Yuzuru, the matter I need to report is related to the delisting of Japan Broadcasting Corporation."

Upon hearing that it was related to the delisting of Japan Broadcasting Corporation, Hideki Hanyu's expression immediately became serious.

"Let's talk as we walk."

(End of this chapter)