America: My Time

Chapter 1226 Akio Morita's Test

Chapter 1216 Akio Morita's Test
John wasn't just targeting Akio Morita. He was telling the Japanese zaibatsu behind Morita, the Japanese government officials, and the conflicts, schemes, and conspiracies between the Bank of Japan and the Ministry of Finance—that these were the real cause of Japan's current crisis. It was wrong to blame everything on the United States. The US was indeed scheming against Japan, but it was forced into that situation by the Japanese themselves. John had experienced all of this firsthand and understood it perfectly well.

"I can't argue with you, but I think what you said makes a lot of sense. Now I really realize how amazing your strategy is. No wonder you can control the upstream and downstream of any industry. Even in the face of a financial crisis like this, you haven't suffered much loss."

“You can’t say that. My businesses also suffered significant losses during this Asian financial crisis. If it weren’t for Standard Chartered Bank’s timely intervention, they would probably all be in trouble!” John sighed again, a hint of resentment in his expression—a deep hatred for Soros, at least in Akio Morita’s eyes.

John dared not be careless in dealing with an old fox like Akio Morita. Morita was testing John's strengths and weaknesses, while John was also scheming against him, using this old fox to plot against Japan.

“John, it’s unacceptable for you to say that. Your losses are just losses on paper. You control those companies yourself, so what do losses on paper matter? Besides, Quantum Mining and Asian Energy are both expanding. This Asian financial crisis is a great opportunity for you to expand. Nowadays, apart from people like you who have vision and are prepared, everyone else is caught in the crisis.”

“What good is having foresight and being prepared? You’re still bound to be resented. You don’t think those guys at the bank have no issues with me, do you? But those guys in Southeast Asia are all seething with hatred.” John’s gaze was fixed on Akio Morita, a faint smile on his face.

Akio Morita wasn't stupid; he naturally understood that John was using Southeast Asian banks as an analogy, but in reality, he was directly targeting Japanese banks. Although John hadn't repaid the loan early, the banks knew they had lost money again. John's loan was in yen, and with the current exchange rate, their losses were substantial.

"Actually, you're overthinking it. Those people are just venting their frustrations. The bank won't make an enemy of you over such a small matter. After all, the exchange rate was very stable before you took out the loan. It just means they don't have your foresight or ability. And even if they're unwilling to lend you money, other banks will step in with your credit. This has nothing to do with you personally. No one would be foolish enough to stand against you over this!"

Akio Morita's words were not his own opinion, but rather the opinion of the Bank of Japan, and even the official opinion of Japan. His unexpected appearance was no simple matter. Although it was not the Japanese government or the financial groups that intentionally invited him to come out of retirement, but his own idea, he did so not only for Sony, but also for Japan.

Akio Morita understood that only by stepping forward and solving problems for the Japanese government and the conglomerates could Sony receive help in this crisis and get out of its predicament. That's why he gave up his comfortable retirement life and appeared at this party to meet with John.

"I hope so. I don't want to be on the opposite side from many of my friends in Japan. If it weren't for the changes in Southeast Asia, I wouldn't have such worries. Of course, this is related to the changes in Japan. Things are not the same as when we first met. People's hearts have changed, and there's nothing I can do about it."

“John, you’re exaggerating. Japan won’t stand against you. We’re friends. The changes in Japan today have nothing to do with you. Besides, you did warn everyone back then; we were just too careless. However, you’ve reduced your interactions with everyone in recent years, and you’ve even come to Japan much less often. The limited opportunities to meet have created a slight distance between us, but I believe this won’t be a problem for us!”

Good heavens, Akio Morita is indeed a cunning old fox; he can even utter such words. Does he even believe himself? John couldn't believe it at all. If these families in Japan truly possessed such kindness, the relationship between the two sides wouldn't have deteriorated to this point, and he wouldn't have been so well-prepared.

Although he was inwardly sneering, John's face remained unchanged. He smiled calmly and said, "Yes, we're friends, and it's best if this doesn't happen. At least it reduces communication with everyone, and the reason isn't my fault. You know how much has happened in the last few years. How many people are plotting against me behind all that? How can I dare to associate with them again!" John didn't need to be too blunt, nor did he need to expose everything. Akio Morita, that old man, knew everything perfectly well, because he had experienced it all. Why did this situation arise? It was still caused by greed. John's words were quite lenient with him. From the bubble economy era, these guys in Japan had been eyeing John, and they still were!

John's changes have made them uneasy, hence this ridiculous explanation! Even the old man Akio Morita is dissatisfied with those people's scheming. After all, they've made their moves again and again, and they've even used the women around John. That's a bit too much. The fact that John hasn't directly turned against them is already the best outcome.

“John, I know and understand what you’re saying, but we need to look forward. Those things are in the past. While we can’t say we can completely forget about them, there’s no need to dwell on them too much. There will be new collaborations and other opportunities between you two. There’s no need to make a big fuss!”

“I don’t want to argue with them, but there has to be an explanation and an attitude. I didn’t see that attitude in them. If you said such things to me, I wouldn’t explain or pay any attention to anyone else. You have to give an explanation for doing something wrong, otherwise how can you expect others to forgive you!”

John's reaction was not beyond Akio Morita's expectations. If John had not responded so directly, but had nodded in agreement, that would have made Akio Morita uneasy. After all, so many things had happened before, how could they be glossed over in a single sentence? Even Akio Morita would not have accepted it, let alone John.

"Don't worry, everything will be resolved. It's just a matter of time. After all, everyone was preoccupied with Japan's economy and couldn't focus on anything else. I believe we'll have a result soon." Akio Morita didn't dare to hesitate and directly gave John this statement. Although he understood that this wasn't something he could decide, this attitude was necessary. Otherwise, there was no point in continuing the discussion. If you don't even have an attitude of admitting your mistake, what's the point of talking?
"That would be for the best. I don't want to see the worst happen either. After all, I still have a good connection with Japan, and I have a lot of investments here. If the worst were to happen, things would probably be very different now!"

At this point, John didn't want to press the issue further. After all, this had nothing to do with Akio Morita, and the old man was representing the Japanese government and conglomerates. Although he hadn't made a direct statement, John knew perfectly well that he didn't need to. Under these circumstances, it was best to give the other party a way out.

"You won't be disappointed. The fact that the integration of 'New Life Bank' was completed so quickly this time is a reflection of everyone's attitude and their appreciation of you. If things had gone normally, it wouldn't have been this fast. Although some people are a little resentful, since you directly lured away those retail customers, which made some of those who suffered losses unhappy, they won't take any extreme actions."

When Akio Morita mentioned energy, John nodded in acceptance of this goodwill. However, behind this goodwill lay other calculations. Japan likely wanted more support, more energy and mineral resources. An exchange of benefits was the only legitimate way; wasn't the reason these Japanese gave Akio Morita this opportunity precisely for the sake of an exchange of benefits?

"Then I'll take your kind words. I'm not a stingy person. I'm very generous to my friends. I believe we can have a pleasant collaboration. I don't want to see Japan's economy continue to stagnate, nor do I want to see the Japanese people go from one extreme to another, causing the whole society to lose its vitality. Such a situation in Japan would be a significant problem for me and would affect my interests."

Upon hearing John's words, Akio Morita breathed a sigh of relief. This was John's attitude, his attitude towards Japan. However, all of this depended on the Japanese guys showing their own attitude; otherwise, it would all be just a mirage.

However, this time it wouldn't be something that could be accomplished with a small sacrifice. Someone had to step forward and take the blame, shouldering all the previous troubles. And this person couldn't be too low-ranking, otherwise even a fool would know something was wrong. But for Akio Morita, this wasn't important. He didn't need to step forward or make the decisions himself. The Japanese government and the Japanese conglomerates would make the decisions. All of this had nothing to do with him or Sony!
(End of this chapter)