Traveling Through the Tokyo Bubble Era

Chapter 1034 The "Dad" of the Japanese Film Industry

"So what you're trying to tell me is that the smooth delisting of Nippon Broadcasting System makes you feel something's not right?"

Outside a broadcasting room at Fuji Radio, Hideki Hanyu stared at Koichi Minato with a bewildered expression.

“Yes.” Gang Hao nodded.

Hideki Hanyu patted Koichi Minato on the shoulder and said, "I think what you need to do right now is not to overthink things, but to get some rest."

"I know you've been working very hard these past few months taking over Fuji Television. Please have someone hand over your responsibilities, and I'm granting you some time off."

"I……"

Gang Haoyi still wanted to argue.

But Hideki Hanyu didn't give Koichi a chance at all, interrupting him directly, "Koichi-san, don't you trust me? Do as I say."

"Yes, President, then I'll take my leave now."

Faced with Hideki Hanyu's insistence, Koichi Minato had no choice but to comply.

After watching Koichi Minato's figure disappear, Hideki Yuzuru withdrew his gaze.

Actually, there are some things that he can't tell Gang Haoyi, such as matters involving higher-ups.

Therefore, the seemingly smooth delisting of Neon Broadcasting was actually achieved through many unknown efforts.

As the president of Fuji Television, Koichi Minato's job is simply to focus on managing the television station's operations.

The specific procedures for delisting Neon Broadcasting involve a clash between power and capital, so it's best not to get too involved.

After all, now that Nippon Broadcasting has been delisted, Fuji Television's biggest hidden danger has been resolved. Fuji Television's rights will no longer be affected by Nippon Broadcasting, so the management no longer needs to care about news about Nippon Broadcasting.

In fact, the smooth delisting of Nippon Broadcasting was due to the Kotani Mitsuhiro incident; some people simply did him a favor by doing him a favor.

After thinking about all these things, Hideki Hanyu finally had time to look into the broadcasting room.

His real target for coming to Fuji Television was Noriko Sakai, who was sitting inside recording a program.

In November, the nighttime low temperature in Tokyo has already reached 5°C.

But the girl was only wearing a white dress with a cardigan draped over her upper body.

She looks pure, sweet, and beautiful.

(Methods and Diagrams)

No one in the broadcasting studio noticed Hideki Hanyu's arrival, and since he didn't make a sound to disturb them, no one else dared to remind him.

Seeing that Hideki Hanyu was about to continue waiting, the radio station staff kindly brought him a chair.

After sitting down, Hideki Yuzuru called the person in charge over and casually asked about the radio station's operations.

He wasn't really interested in the radio station; he was just looking for something to do when he was bored.

After all, for Hideki Hanyu's media system, the revenue, influence, and importance of radio programs are like a chicken bone – useless.

It is useless to eat and it is a pity to throw away.

However, Hideki Hanyu's casual remarks put enormous pressure on the radio station's manager, who was afraid of accidentally saying the wrong thing in front of the bigwig.

Not long after we started talking, the back of my shirt was already soaked with cold sweat.

Fortunately, the radio program ended at that moment, and Noriko Sakai, who came out of the broadcasting studio, finally saved the radio station manager who was on the verge of a daze.

After Noriko Sakai politely said goodbye to the host, she turned around and found that there were so many people outside the door. Then she saw Hideki Hanyu sitting in the crowd.

"Brother Hideki!"

Ignoring the people around them, the girl rushed towards Hideki Yuzuru and called out their most intimate nickname in private.

As soon as Hideki Hanyu stood up, Noriko Sakai pulled him into her arms.

The jerk wrapped his arm around the girl's waist and asked, "Did you miss me?"

The girl blinked her crescent-shaped eyes and blushed as she replied, "I miss Brother Xiushu."

"I've also come up with a plan."

As Hideki Yuzuru spoke, he reached out and put his arm around Noriko Sakai, leading her outside.

The manager who had been with Noriko Sakai, as well as the other radio station staff, simply bowed respectfully to see her off, and no one dared to voice any objections.

……

Inside the parking lot of Fuji Television.

Hideki Hanyu, sitting in the car, glanced at his watch which showed 10 o'clock and asked Noriko Sakai, "It's so late already, Noriko, don't you have any other plans after this?"

"I don't have any work commitments, but I promised a friend I'd visit the set."

Noriko Sakai answered somewhat shyly.

Because of Hideki Hanyu's question, she realized what he wanted to do.

Recalling the overwhelming joy she felt in her memory, Noriko Sakai couldn't help but blush.

"The method is so cute."

Noriko Sakai's appearance immediately aroused the lustful desires of the scumbag.

He pulled the girl into his arms and gave her a passionate kiss.

After a while, Hideki Hanyu released Noriko Sakai, who was now completely limp.

"Has Fa Zi made any new friends? If they're not important, just reject them. I'll take Fa Zi to a hot spring."

Noriko Sakai answered breathlessly, "It's that Ms. Shinobu Nakayama who went to a live house to watch a performance and was discovered by Hideki-nii."

If you don't want me to go, I'll message her now.

"Wait a minute."

When Hideki Habu heard that Noriko Sakai was going to visit the set with Shinobu Nakayama, he immediately stopped her.

Having not seen Miho Nakayama for a while, the scumbag thought it wouldn't be bad to go see her sister.

As for whether Shinobu Nakayama will tell Miho Nakayama if he sees him with Noriko Sakai?
How could a scumbag like him possibly care about something like this?

"Since I've already promised, I should do my best to keep my word. I'll go with Fa Zi."

Hideki Hanyu found out the filming location and immediately arranged for Marco to drive there.

While the vehicle was in motion, Hideki Hanyu asked curiously, "What is Shinobu Nakayama filming? Why is she working so late?"

Noriko Sakai replied, "I heard her say it was for reshoots of a movie."

Hideki Hanyu asked, "Is she planning to transition into acting by making movies?"

Following in her sister Miho Nakayama's footsteps, Shinobu Nakayama entered the entertainment industry as an idol singer. Although she appeared in a drama series, it did not generate much buzz.

Noriko Sakai replied, "I don't know either. Maybe her singing career isn't going well. But this is her first movie role, and she's the lead actress."

Hearing Noriko Sakai's words, Hideki Habu could roughly guess Shinobu Nakayama's situation.

After 1990, with the rise of original and talented singers and bands, Japan's traditional idol industry gradually entered a period of stagnation.

In addition, the economic downturn has led television stations to cancel music show programs that are more conducive to idols, making the situation of idol singers, especially female idol singers, even more difficult.

In this situation, only idol singers under Yunshang Entertainment can barely maintain their singer status while carrying out planned transformations thanks to the group's strong resources and promotion. For example, Noriko Sakai, who works alongside him, now participates in the group's variety shows, TV dramas, and film projects in addition to her activities as an idol singer.

She even collaborated with Elf Publishing's monthly magazine "Luna" to release a shoujo manga featuring herself as the protagonist.

Female idols without the strong backing of a company like Yunshang Entertainment often only have one path to choose from, and they will only switch to another path when that path becomes unsustainable.

If you still can't succeed, then you can only learn from your predecessors, or release a photo album with explicit content, or directly shoot a pink-themed movie with explicit content, and try to turn the tide.

As they were nearing their destination, Hideki Hanyu casually asked Noriko Sakai, "Which company produced the movie that Shinobu Nakayama starred in?"

Noriko Sakai thought for a moment and said, "The production company seems to be Nikkatsu Corporation, and the movie is called Heartbeat Virgin: I Love You Again."

Upon hearing the name Nikkatsu, coupled with the suggestive title of the movie, Hideki Hanyu immediately asked in surprise.

"Is Shinobu Nakayama making a pink-themed movie?"

After all, according to his memories from his previous life, he did not recall Nakayama Shinobu having participated in this type of film.

Even if he did participate, he might not be surprised.

After all, look at the Japanese actresses who have won awards at the Japan Film Academy Awards; which one of them hasn't sacrificed themselves for so-called art?

Therefore, many so-called goddesses are best admired from afar. The more you learn about them, the more your illusions will crumble.

Noriko Sakai waved her hands repeatedly, "No, according to Mr. Nakayama's introduction, this is a campus romantic comedy film."

At this point, Noriko Sakai suddenly smiled and looked at Hideki Hanyu, "She also told me that the male lead in this movie is also named Hideki."

"Haha, what a coincidence."

Hideki Hanyu was clearly unimpressed by the news.

Just then, the vehicle came to a slow stop.

Marco's voice rang out, "Boss, we've arrived at our destination."

Hideki Hanyu and Noriko Sakai got out of the car and found that they were in a Nikkatsu photography studio located in Shinjuku Ward, adjacent to Chiyoda Ward.

It looks very old from the outside, no wonder it doesn't exist in later times, it was probably demolished.

Hideki Hanyu glanced at the photography studio, then at a convenience store not far away, and then asked Noriko Sakai.

"If Fa Zi goes to visit the set, should he bring some gifts?"

"I already sent a gift when the movie wrapped up filming before, so I don't need to do it this time."

Noriko Sakai looked at Hideki Hanyu as she spoke, "Besides, if we bring gifts with Hideki-nii this time, it might bother them."

Since Noriko Sakai said that, Hideki Hanyu didn't insist any further.

Indeed, as Noriko Sakai said, in a society like Japan, sometimes the "goodwill" of important people can actually put pressure on ordinary people.

Even though he didn't bring any gifts, Hideki Hanyu's arrival still caused a stir in the photo studio.

After the staff carefully brought Hideki Hanyu to the location of the film crew, the production came to a standstill due to his arrival.

Film director Shun Nakahara, along with the on-site producer dispatched by Nikkatsu, and all the main creators came together to bow and greet Hideki Hanyu.

Several years ago, after Nikkatsu President Teiji Nemoto met with Hideki Hanyu, Nikkatsu deepened its cooperation with Cloud Entertainment.

As daily active users (DAU) have continued to decline over the years, their reliance on cloud-based systems has deepened.

Especially in film screenings and distribution, the most profitable pink film business among daily active users now generates more than 80% of the box office revenue from Unlimited Art Cinemas, which is based in the cloud.

When Crescent Cinemas expanded its distribution business overseas, it also purchased a large number of pink movie rights from Nikko. Now, these overseas rights revenues have become an important part of Nikko's revenue.

So how could these people dare to disrespect Hideki Hanyu?

Let alone them, even if their president were here, he would still have to be mindful of Hideki Hanyu's feelings.

In fact, the current Japanese film production industry is not just dependent on cloud-based systems for daily active users.

Starting in the late 1980s, the Japanese film market entered a period of great decline.

Local films are becoming increasingly unpopular with Japanese audiences, leading to a gradual decline in box office revenue.

After 1990, the bursting of the economic bubble dealt another heavy blow to the film industry.

Small production companies went bankrupt one after another. For example, Yoshitaro Nomura, Shinsuke Ito's teacher, founded a film company that was in financial difficulty and was ultimately salvaged by Shinsuke Ito.

Even traditional major studios are struggling to make ends meet, forcing them to reduce investment, decrease the number of films produced, or even begin business transformation.

For example, Toho directly spun off its film production business and began to focus on distribution and theatrical releases.

Cloud Entertainment, with a more comprehensive business than Toho, has long been the dominant player in the Japanese domestic film distribution and exhibition market, relying on the New Moon Cinema and the Unlimited Art Cinema, which mainly screens art films and R-rated movies.

In addition, Crescent Moon Cinemas' overseas distribution and theatrical business can bring Japanese production companies additional revenue that they did not originally have.

In today's Japanese film industry, few production companies that want to make money can do without relying on cloud entertainment.

Until the Japanese film industry finds a new way out, it is no exaggeration to say that Cloud Entertainment is the "father" of the entire industry.

……

Seeing how cautious these people were, turning a set visit into an inspection, Hideki Yuzuru stopped pretending to be polite and simply had Noriko Sakai call Shinobu Nakayama away.

As for what will happen to the film after Shinobu Nakayama leaves, Hideki Habu wouldn't care.

However, after leaving the photo studio, the scumbag still pretended to be a gentleman and apologized to Shinobu Nakayama.

"Ms. Nakayama, I originally just wanted to accompany Fazi to visit the set, but it ended up affecting your filming. I'm really sorry."

"Actually, my scenes are almost finished being reshot. Even if they weren't finished, it wouldn't matter if President Yuzuru disturbed me, I..."

Nakayama Shinobu's words were somewhat incoherent.

Although Shinobu Nakayama knew Hideki Hanyu long ago because of her older sister, and this wasn't the first time she had spent time with him.

However, recalling what had just happened, the usually authoritative director and the aloof producer were now so respectful and humble in front of Hideki Hanyu, which still deeply shocked Shinobu Nakayama.

After all, hearing about Hideki Hanyu's power and witnessing it firsthand are two completely different things.

At this moment, in Shinobu Nakayama's eyes, the handsome Hideki Hanyu, with the support of power, became even more charming.

Noriko Sakai quickly noticed Nakayama Shinobu's unusual behavior.

Noriko Sakai, who didn't want Hideki Hanyu to be coveted by other girls tonight, immediately stepped forward, took Hideki Hanyu's arm, and said to him intimately.

"Brother Xiushu, I'm a little hungry. How about we go get some late-night snacks?"

Hideki Hanyu said, "As long as you're not afraid of gaining weight from eating so late, of course I have no problem with it."

“It’s okay to eat it once in a while.” Noriko Sakai turned to Shinobu Nakayama and said, “Shouldn’t you go change your clothes, Nakayama-san?”

It turned out that because she was in a hurry to leave, Shinobu Nakayama hadn't even changed out of her costume and came out wearing the high school sailor uniform of the character she was playing.

However, before Shinobu Nakayama could answer, Hideki Habu said after sizing her up.

"Miss Zhongshan looks great in this outfit. She doesn't need to change. She can just go eat."

I know there are some really good izakayas (Japanese pubs) in Bunkyo Ward, now's the perfect time to go.

And so, Shinobu Nakayama, who was praised for her good looks by Hideki Hanyu, felt both secretly pleased and shy. She completely forgot whether it was inappropriate to go out for a late-night snack with someone so late. With her pretty face slightly flushed, she got into the car with Hideki Hanyu and left.

(Illustration by Shinobu Nakayama)
(End of this chapter)