America: My Time

Chapter 1392 Tests and Calculations

Chapter 1382 Testing and Scheming
"Mr. Morita, how are you feeling?" When John saw Akio Morita, a slight change flashed in his eyes. Akio Morita was no longer the same person he used to be; he had lost all his energy and spirit!
"I'm old, I've lost my energy. Thank you for remembering this old man and coming to see me!" Akio Morita's reaction was calm, showing no concern for his current appearance or condition, seemingly having come to terms with everything. However, there was a faint trace of disappointment in his words, not for his own health, but for Sony's current state. It would be a lie to say he knew nothing about Sony's situation!

“Sony is Sony, and you are you. Our relationship won’t change because of Sony’s changes. What they want to do is their own business. You don’t need to care too much, after all, you’ve already retired!” John naturally understood what Akio Morita was thinking and Sony’s current situation!

Actually, despite Japan's deteriorating economic situation and hindered development in recent years, although a large part of it is due to suppression from the United States, Japan itself also has significant problems. They are too greedy and always want to monopolize everything. Their research and development leaves no opportunity for others, which is the biggest problem.

To monopolize everything, you need both the ability and the market. Just look at how greedy the Japanese are with their color TV strategy; everyone is working for them. Now, their research and development in other areas is the same. The more John understands Japan, the more he feels these guys aren't as simple as people later say. Japan didn't choose the wrong specialization; they're just too greedy, forcing others to refuse to follow their research path.

John also felt this way, especially in the research and development of electronic semiconductors. The Japanese guys have patented everything they can, applying for every patent they can, leaving no chance for others. They get all the meat, while others don't even get the soup, so naturally they have been resisted by everyone.

Don't be fooled by John's heavy investment in research and development, and his leading position in the field. He has no intention of hoarding everything, because hoarding can be deadly. Unfortunately, the guys in Japan don't think that way. They think they are very capable and have everything under control, but they forget that the Japanese market simply cannot support all of this.

The feud between Sony and John is escalating, and their schemes have been seen through by John. Although John is not targeting them now, their situation is getting worse and worse. They are no longer what they were when Akio Morita was in charge. Whether in the European and American markets or in Japan, there have been significant changes.

"I'm a little resentful, and I don't understand why they insist on standing against you, trying to prove themselves instead of taking the easy path!" Akio Morita sighed as he spoke. It wasn't that he hadn't made arrangements for Sony, but unfortunately, those guys didn't accept them.

"There's nothing to doubt about that. Naturally, they want to prove themselves and believe they can surpass you. If they follow the path you've laid out, even if Sony continues to grow and prosper, they won't gain everyone's approval. In fact, everyone will think that they're only able to grow and prosper because they're following your instructions, and that they have no ability of their own!"

Upon hearing John's words, Akio Morita shook his head with a wry smile. Did he really not understand all of this? No, he understood perfectly well. If John could see through it, how could this old man Akio Morita not see through it? It was just that he was unwilling to accept it, and besides, he didn't have the ability to interfere with everything right now.

“Yes, no one wants to be a puppet, no one wants to be controlled. They have their own ideas and pursuits, but they didn't consider Sony's own situation and did things they shouldn't have!” Although Akio Morita wanted to persuade John to let Sony off the hook, he ultimately remained silent. He understood that even if he spoke up, it would be useless; personal relationships couldn't affect the company's development. John wasn't going to soften his stance and give Sony another chance just because of personal feelings. After all, Sony had interfered in the internal conflict within the United States, crossing John's bottom line!
"It just shows they're short-sighted, lack ability, and unwilling to accept the status quo. Such people are simply arrogant and self-important. You've already stepped down; there's no need for you to concern yourself with any of this anymore!"

“I don’t want to pay attention to it or say anything, but I still have a lot of favors to repay. This time, someone has already made a request to me!” As he spoke, Akio Morita sighed, a faint change appearing in his eyes.

"It seems I underestimated them. Since you've spoken up, I should give you some face. As long as they offer equivalent assets, I can give them a chance. It's all up to their own choice!" John naturally understood what Akio Morita was implying. Everything was about the assets John was about to offer, and about those internet companies. John hadn't originally planned to make things difficult for these Japanese fans, but now that the old man Akio Morita had spoken up, he could take this opportunity to complete his plan.

“John, this won’t put you in a difficult position, will it? I don’t want to waste my favor. If it’s difficult for you, then there’s no need to accept it. After all, I’m just doing this on someone’s behalf!” The old man, Akio Morita, changed his tone and spoke to John. However, his performance was obviously too fake. If he really didn’t need it, he wouldn’t have asked.

"It's alright. I don't have that much autonomy. It's just that time needs to be quick. If they're not prepared before I leave Japan, there's nothing I can do. After all, I need to take care of the feelings of all other parties."

"Then I'm relieved. I don't want to put you in a difficult position, and I don't want to waste the last bit of friendship between us!" That old guy Akio Morita is really cunning. Although he didn't want to take advantage of John for nothing, he didn't want to ruin his friendship with John. You could only say that this old guy is too cunning. But he never expected that the Zhangjiang Company that John brought out was also poisonous, and that it was during the dot-com bubble.

"This is nothing. Everything must be within the scope of what we can investigate. However, if such a deal is completed, they will likely face complaints from within Japan. If there are any problems on the Japanese side, then that is not something I can interfere with!"

“Of course.” Akio Morita paused, took a deep breath, and continued, “John, there’s something I need to tell you. The matter of Akina Nakamori’s family isn’t as simple as it seems. There are some issues behind it all; someone is manipulating everything!” John remained calm, smiling faintly, and said, “I know, I was prepared for this. Those guys are either from the Japanese financial groups, those old fogies from the American conglomerates, or some bastards from Israel. After all, none of them want to see me succeed; they all want to scheme against me. However, judging from the current situation, the Japanese financial groups are the most likely, since they’re the ones who most want to keep me tied down in Japan.”

"So you knew all along, but you were just pretending not to. Since you know everything behind this, why didn't you do anything?" Akio Morita looked at John with a hint of expectation in his eyes.

"How do you know I haven't prepared or retaliated? Aren't I retaliating right now? I can wait for those guys from Oil Capital to make a mistake, and as for those guys from Japan, aren't you all still here?"

John's words clearly demanded an explanation from the Japanese, causing Akio Morita to sigh. John's words were a message to the various factions in Japan, a warning. The deal hadn't even started yet; anyone wanting to profit from John would have to show sincerity, and that sincerity would mean making those who schemed against him pay the price.

Although Akio Morita understood, he dared not give John a direct answer. This was no small matter. If he made a promise and something went wrong, he would have no way to explain it to John. So he could only respond with silence. The outcome depended on the choices of others. Akio Morita was merely testing them.

“John, why don’t you stay in Japan a little longer? If you could give them more time, it might be more beneficial. After all, everything has been rushed, making it difficult for everyone to make more arrangements in such a short time!”

"I am willing but powerless. If it were for the sake of our past friendship, I should indeed give Japan more opportunities. However, I am now powerless to make many decisions. Even though I have always held the initiative and these assets are mine, I also need to consider the feelings of other parties."

If John were to directly agree to Akio Morita's request and give Japan more opportunities, he would likely face rejection, and even the previous agreement might be subject to change. John wouldn't trust those guys in Japan, nor would he trust that old man Akio Morita. All the talk of friendship is fake; only self-interest is real and unchanging!

Although John had anticipated that his meeting with Akio Morita would involve this kind of thing, he hadn't expected Morita to test him so blatantly. Unfortunately for him, having seen through everything, John showed no mercy and showed no compassion. These guys wanted to die, so how could he refuse them?
However, John also understood that if he agreed too quickly, it would only arouse the suspicion of these guys. The more he refused, the more they would believe him, and the simpler things would become. The more he refused, the more these guys would want to take such benefits from him.

If he were to agree to Akio Morita's offer directly, the deal might cause unnecessary trouble, and could even drag him into real problems with Japan. Since he was determined to ruthlessly exploit those Japanese guys, he wouldn't be merciful; when the opportunity presented itself, he would strike with all his might.

“Mr. Morita, there are many things I can’t control. If it were for the sake of our past friendship, I should agree to your request without reservation, but I really can’t do it now. I only have so many assets, and everyone wants to get a larger share, which makes everything difficult. I can only do my best to give them the assets they want!”

"I understand, and I don't want to put you in a difficult position. It's all up to you. I was just asking casually and won't make any demands or put you in a difficult position. I don't want to put my old friend like you in a difficult position!" Good heavens, Akio Morita is really shameless and thick-skinned. He can even say such things. If he really didn't have any ulterior motives, why would he do so many things?

Akio Morita seems to be constantly emphasizing that he doesn't want to put John in a difficult position, but he is actually working hard to create opportunities for himself. John's reaction makes him happy, and he feels that everything is under control.

John was pleased and satisfied with the exchange and meeting. He had secured his hotel, and now he only needed to observe and wait for things to become dangerous. Soon, Akio Morita and John changed the subject, no longer continuing with the internet company deal, but instead began talking about past events!
Seeing John and Akio Morita talking so enthusiastically made Naoko and the others sigh with relief, especially when Akio Morita mentioned their first meeting and Naoko's situation to John, which made their expressions lighten up!

John's meeting with Akio Morita, and the changes around him, all took the Japanese guys very seriously, especially those Japanese who were involved in scheming against John. They were under immense pressure, fearing they would be eliminated by their own people. And that's exactly what happened. For the sake of profit, these Japanese guys also changed; they also fought for power and greed, and frantically grabbed everything.

It is precisely because John understands all of this and the current changing situation that he is able to remain calm and composed, ignore the current changes, and take everything so 'calmly'. There is no gain without pain; if he doesn't make these guys in Japan pay a high price and show sufficient sincerity, how can he give them the 'benefits' they want? If these guys don't take the initiative, John won't let them get what they want; after all, everything must be done with utmost caution!

(End of this chapter)