America: My Time

Chapter 1225 The unexpected person
Chapter 1215 An Unexpected Person

"Isn't it a bit inappropriate to not leave Akina any shares?" When Hitomi Kuroki learned of John's decision, she couldn't help but remind her. She was worried that Akina would be very sensitive about this matter. After all, having a child and not having a child are completely different. Hitomi Kuroki herself knew this. In the past, she didn't care much about anything, but now it was different. She had to think about her child. A mother's love makes her strong, and she was worried that something might go wrong!

"No need. Akina has already changed her nationality, so there's no need for her to get involved in this matter anymore. I'll make the arrangements for her, so you don't need to worry about it." The assets in Australia are no less than those in Japan. John values ​​Australia more than Japan, otherwise he wouldn't have made so many arrangements.

"Alright, you decide. We have no objections!" Kuroki Hitomi naturally understood that the women had no right to decide on this matter, so she didn't say anything more.

However, John had no intention of letting her off the hook: "Akiko, you also have to come out and help Momoko, at least help her get through this tense period. Her energy needs to be focused on 'Seisei Bank.' You will temporarily take over the original matters. If you think it's necessary, then take Nanako with you. I won't be staying here for too long; there are still a lot of things to deal with in Korea!"

John quickly recruited Hitomi Kuroki to work, albeit temporarily. Trust was crucial at this time, given the Asian financial crisis; even the prescient John dared not be careless. In such a storm, even the slightest negligence could have dire consequences.

John's business is very clear: it's an integrated supply chain, where any problem at any end can have far-reaching consequences. Therefore, John naturally needs someone he can trust to stabilize the situation.

John's relationship with the Japanese conglomerates is no longer so friendly, and his relationship with the banks is also becoming distant. This is not only because of the emergence of 'Seijin Bank', but more so because John's scheming against the Japanese banks has made them lose face and left them resentful.

The Asian financial crisis was just the beginning; it would get even worse next year. John understood this, which is why he needed Kuroki Hitomi's help. John didn't trust those guys in Japan; if something went wrong, the trouble would be immense.

"Alright, I'll help Momo!" Faced with John's pressure, Kuroki Hitomi immediately gave in. Although she would have to endure more hardship and fatigue in the future, she had no choice but to compromise under the current circumstances. However, Kuroki Hitomi thought of Matsushima Nanako, realizing she could definitely use her to share the burden.

Now that Kikuchi Momoko and Riko have a close relationship, Kuroki Hitomi can no longer count on Riko to help her through the 'difficulty'. She is well aware that in John's heart, 'Seisei Bank' is more important than the assets she has taken over, so she no longer has any intention of targeting Riko and can only turn her attention to Nanako.

However, for the inexperienced Nanako Matsushima, her influence was limited, which made Hitomi Kuroki miss the other beautiful women who had left. Unfortunately, this was something she could only think about herself. From the moment they chose to leave, they were no longer on the same path.

While John was making these small arrangements, Quantum Mining and Jaguar Security had already delivered one hundred tons of gold to the underground vault of the 'Seishin Bank's' headquarters in Tokyo—a preparation John had been making all along. John had also put a lot of effort into accumulating this gold reserve, building it up when gold prices were at their lowest.

"Mr. Morita, I never thought I'd see you again!" John was somewhat surprised to see the old man, Akio Morita, when he appeared at the party. John didn't believe that these Japanese guys wouldn't understand that his relationship with Akio Morita had long since run its course, and that even if he asked him to intervene, it wouldn't make any difference.

Akio Morita smiled wryly and said, "I can't help being a busybody. With the Asian financial crisis, Sony's situation was very dangerous, and I had no choice but to step in and do what I could to stabilize morale!"

Upon hearing this, John suddenly understood why the old man had passed away not long after the Asian financial crisis. Perhaps it was due to the impact of that financial crisis. "Then you must take care of your health. You need to let go when it's time to let go. You're too old to take on any more trouble. Sony has its own future. No matter how many ideas you have, it's useless. You can't take care of it forever."

“I understand, but I still have a little worry, especially in this environment, it’s even more difficult to enjoy a peaceful life of recuperation. However, your actions this time are astonishing. That previously insignificant investment company has soared to new heights, undergoing a qualitative transformation, which has made many people envious. Also, the hundred tons of gold you mobilized has shocked many banks; that’s hard currency!”

John wasn't surprised by Akio Morita's words; in fact, he would be disappointed if they didn't even know this. When he prepared 100 tons of gold reserves for the 'New Life Bank,' he had already anticipated that the Japanese would take notice, and that some of it would be done through the precious metals exchange.

"There's no other way. We don't have enough funds on hand, so we can only turn to quantum mining. Without gold reserves, it will be difficult to start a business. No one will trust 'New Life Bank'!"

“That’s right. Having a hundred tons of gold as reserves will at least give people peace of mind and put their minds at ease. The impact of this financial crisis has been too severe. If the morale of people within the bank cannot be stabilized, there is no way to talk about development. Your choice is correct, and I believe that ‘New Life Bank’ will stabilize soon.”

“Thank you for your kind words. I also hope it can stabilize quickly and resume business. If Japan’s financial system continues like this, the consequences will be unimaginable. The authorities need to take action, otherwise Japan will fall into a stagnant pool and there will be no hope of recovery.” John sighed as he said this, a hint of worry flashing in his eyes.

"John, your words are the same as always. It seems you still don't trust the Japanese economy." At this moment, Akio Morita made this probing remark. If an ordinary person said this, it would be an attempt to offend John to the death. However, Akio Morita was an old man who had a relationship with John, and they could be considered friends despite their age difference. So, when he said this, there were not so many problems, and he didn't feel any pressure!
"It's not that I distrust Japan's economy, but the reaction from the Japanese government, and from you zaibatsu, is a bit too much. If any of you had been protecting Japan's interests, I wouldn't have come to this conclusion. Several years have passed since the end of the bubble economy, but has Japan's development changed? Not at all. And just as I feared before, the people are heading towards an era of low desire and apathy. Can you still find a trace of the bubble economy now? Today's Japan has completely gone to the other extreme!"

This wasn't the first time Akio Morita had heard John say such things, but this time, hearing John's words again evoked different feelings in him, causing him to sigh, "What you say makes sense, but we need to save ourselves. We have no other choice. If we don't do this, we'll be the first to fall!"

"Heh, in short, the zaibatsu (financial conglomerates) are unwilling to sacrifice themselves, and the Japanese government lacks the courage to handle the changing situation properly. If your zaibatsu hadn't relocated manufacturing overseas, things might not be like this now, and the Japanese people wouldn't have been forced from one extreme to another. Your zaibatsu haven't set a good example or taken responsibility, so the people's anxieties have naturally led them to this extreme. With people not consuming, and even young people not having children, Japan's population is rapidly aging. What hope is there left? Without the demographic dividend, I don't know how Japan can get out of this predicament. My personal abilities are limited, and I can't find the answer, so naturally, I'm not optimistic about Japan's economy!"

"That's true, but things aren't as simple as you think. Everyone was too crazy during the bubble era, and we had to make changes in the face of the United States' coercion. No matter what, the root of the problem lies with the United States!" At this point, Akio Morita pointed his finger at the United States, which shows his great courage.

While Akio Morita's statements are indeed true—not only was the bubble economy a conspiracy by the Americans, but the current Asian financial crisis is also a conspiracy—few people dare to speak so directly. Morita's statement is essentially a probe into John's role within these events.

John was well aware of Akio Morita's scheming, but he hadn't participated in the entire scheme. John smiled calmly and said, "You're right, the White House is indeed to blame for all of this, but Japan also has its own problems. If you hadn't driven your American counterparts to the brink, if your government hadn't made the wrong decisions, things wouldn't be like this now. The White House is indeed at fault, but Japan is also at fault. You could say it's a combination of both of your problems. Of course, this is just my personal opinion; whether you can accept it is another matter!"

(End of this chapter)