America: My Time

Chapter 1614 The Influence of Capital

Chapter 1604 The Influence of Capital

"Sit down! Don't feel guilty, sit down and let's talk!" John smiled calmly and waved for Suoh Ikuo to sit down, showing no change in attitude despite the guy's change in status. After all, the Japanese care a lot about their reputation, and John believed that many people were watching his every move in the dark. These Japanese guys are too insidious and cunning; even the slightest mistake would arouse their vigilance!

John didn't believe that Suoh Ikuo's appearance was orchestrated by someone. He suspected that someone was testing him and trying to find out his attitude towards Japan. After all, he hadn't spent much time in Japan in recent years, mostly in China. Most importantly, his investments had shifted to China, which was what those guys in Japan were most worried about.

Soon, Suoh Ikuo sat down, still looking somewhat nervous. After all, he wasn't stupid; he knew his little schemes couldn't be hidden from John, and he also understood just how powerful the man before him was.

"Suoh-san, how are those projects you've taken over going? Are there any problems that need to be solved?" John asked with a calm smile, inquiring about Suoh Ikuo's current situation. After all, this guy had taken over many service projects, and if something went wrong with him, it would affect John's investments in Japan!

"Everything went very smoothly. With your arrangements, we encountered no resistance in Japan, and the agency is also developing smoothly. If it weren't for your support, I'm afraid I wouldn't have achieved what I have today. Only after taking this step did I realize how much potential benefit there is, and that while entertainment is good, it's difficult to grow and thrive without your own resources!"

Suo Ikuo wasn't lying. With John's arrival, the Japanese entertainment industry had already changed, and everything in Japan was driven by capital, which had deviated from its original development. Now that Suo Ikuo had taken over a range of service industries such as communications and express delivery, he realized how huge the profits were!

John outsourced so many of his services at Japanese companies to Suo Ikuo, which allowed him to quickly establish his own business and fundamentally change his status. With John's support, those guys in Japan didn't dare to hold him back or target him anymore. He was much happier with his current success than with his previous firm!
"That's good. Just make sure there are no problems on your end. After all, the service industry isn't easy. You often have to swallow your pride. If there are any issues you can't resolve, you can contact Taozi. She'll step in and solve them for you. If there are communication problems between companies, you can also contact her. She'll handle most of the things here from now on!"

Although Suoh Ikuo had heard of her before, he was still quite shocked when John said it. A slight change appeared in his eyes. You know, there are very few women in Japan who can reach the level of Kikuchi Momoko. Moreover, Kikuchi Momoko represents John, so her status and position have changed instantly!

In the past, everyone thought that Naoko Kawai was the most valued, but now many people feel that Momoko Kikuchi's status has surpassed that of Naoko Kawai and Hitomi Kuroki. After all, she now controls most of John's assets in Japan, and in the form of a conglomerate. This has forced the people in Japan to change their mindset!
"I will. However, things in the entertainment industry aren't going so smoothly. There are still some people targeting us. After all, the development of conglomerates and the transformation into financial groups have caused many agencies to lose a lot of opportunities!"

John said dismissively, "That's normal. Before, the agency had a limited number of artists, but after merging with your agency, the expansion in terms of personnel is quite significant. Naturally, some people will lose opportunities, and it's perfectly normal for those agencies to resist. However, this is the development of capitalism. In the face of capital, no matter how many ideas they have, it's useless. Capital will teach them a lesson!"

Yes, under the influence of capital, those small agencies will gradually be squeezed out. Whether it's the record industry, modeling, or acting, the interests of small agencies will be constantly impacted by capital. No entertainment group will waste its precious resources on others; they will only invest in their own agencies!

Even Johnny & Associates has been affected. It's not what it was a decade or so ago anymore. It's been influenced by capital. If even such a large agency is being impacted, you can imagine how it is for smaller agencies. As for record companies, it's even more so. Without connections and opportunities, reaching the top is even more difficult!
John was well aware of the changes brought about by capital, as evidenced by Hollywood and the same in Asia, with Hong Kong being the best proof. He wasn't too worried about Japan, as long as the Japanese didn't do anything foolish, they wouldn't be affected, unless they wanted a direct confrontation.

Seeing John and Suo Ikuo having a pleasant conversation, some people breathed a sigh of relief. John's attitude was very important to them. Although some people were secretly cursing Suo Ikuo, some were from the agencies because Suo Ikuo's influence had affected their interests, and others were simply jealous. After all, Suo Ikuo's change in status made them very envious, not to mention the potential benefits!

Some people wanted to try other methods or new tricks, but unfortunately, no matter how many ideas they had, it was useless. They didn't even have a chance to get close to John, so they couldn't put their ideas into practice. The Japanese authorities didn't want any more problems, especially at this time. If anyone caused trouble, the consequences would be too serious. Even Nakamori Akina's family had been warned by the Japanese authorities and were being closely watched by personnel, for fear that they might cause trouble at this crucial moment and embarrass them!
Seeing the benefits Suoh Ikuo had gained, those in the entertainment industry and those involved in the underworld in Japan were all tempted. They all felt that Suoh Ikuo's success was due to his use of women, since there were quite a few beautiful women in his agency. They believed he used this to advance his career; otherwise, why would such a huge benefit fall into his lap? Suoh Ikuo was aware of their thoughts and their targeting, and he did indeed share these concerns. He was worried that someone else might use this method to his advantage, affecting his own interests. Moreover, Suoh Ikuo had brought a beautiful woman with him this time, but he did so discreetly, without making it public knowledge.

However, no matter how low-key Suo Ikuo tried to be, his existence was eventually known. After all, too many people were watching him, and his every move was under the scrutiny of those with ulterior motives. However, those who knew about it all had their own ideas and calculations, but they never expected that their plans would be affected at the party, and that Japanese officials would step in to stop them.

Although the Japanese officials also wanted to see more Japanese beauties around John, they didn't want anyone to bother him this time, especially before the cooperation was finalized. They were worried that this might infringe on the interests of Momoko Kikuchi and others, affecting their mood and leading to secret retaliation, which would have serious consequences!
It was thanks to the intervention of those guys from the Japanese government that John's troubles were significantly reduced. After all, John didn't want too many unexpected events around him, as they would affect many of his plans. Although John's investments in Japan were decreasing, his control over industries such as retail, entertainment, and apparel was constantly increasing. However, he was gradually giving up on manufacturing, mainly because labor costs there were too high!
This time, only Momoko Kikuchi accompanied John to the party. Others such as Sachiko Kamachi, Hitomi Kuroki, and Nanako Matsushima were nowhere to be seen. If you had to name a few, it would be Miho Nakayama and Norika Fujiwara. They all need appropriate exposure, otherwise some people with ulterior motives would think that they have lost their value, which would be a disaster for them!
Although they returned to John's side, their status in Japan did not improve. Compared to others like Sachiko Kamachi and Nanako Matsushima, although they were very low-key, no one dared to have any ideas. After all, no matter how low-key they were, those who cared understood their status.

In recent years, almost none of the Kuroki Hitomi and her ilk still accompany John to parties; it's all been done by Kikuchi Momoko, though her role has long since changed. In contrast, it's Nakayama Miho and her group who have remained active at parties, because they know they have to.

It must be admitted that Japan's ruthlessness is fully displayed in this regard, allowing more people to see the darkness and madness of the entertainment industry. And this is only a small part; who knows how many more terrifying situations exist. Of course, compared to Japan, South Korea is similar, and the United States is even more insane, making John dare not stay long. After all, there are too many people who want to scheme against him, and he could easily be outmaneuvered by them.

Back in the US, John had no idea whether the beautiful women at his agency, or even those trying to get close to him, were part of a trap set by someone with ulterior motives, or if they might pose a danger to him. Thinking about how Bill Gates of Microsoft was framed sent chills down John's spine. Of course, John had encountered such schemes before, but he dealt with them swiftly and decisively, launching a counterattack against those behind them, thus suppressing the whole affair.

Even so, John dared not be careless, especially regarding the future development of the United States and the actions of those guys targeting each other. He dared not be careless in the slightest. John would not pay attention to anyone he did not know. If these guys insisted on getting close to him, then there must be a problem!

In contrast, things are much easier in Japan. At least the Japanese wouldn't do something like that. Even John from South Korea is being cautious, since the entertainment industry in South Korea was later ruined by those conglomerates, who tarnished their reputation. In this respect, the South Korean conglomerates' control over the entertainment industry is far inferior to that of Japan. At least Japan hasn't had such problems. That's the power of the Japanese conglomerates!

Over the years, the more John tried to avoid these problems, the more they seemed to be drawn to him. Perhaps this was the trouble he was causing by constantly adjusting and restructuring his assets. Those guys felt the pressure, or even the threat, which is why they became even more frantic. And in their eyes, John was still that playboy!

Of course, this wasn't just the mindset of those with ulterior motives; it was also the prevailing opinion among the American public. John's unmarried status, in particular, led many to believe he chose this path to avoid constraints. However, those who truly understood John knew that his refusal to marry stemmed from his desire to protect the wealth he had built up. Under the lure of profit, even the best constraints are useless. Profit can drive people mad, making them do even more outrageous things!

Just look at those who left John to understand why. Even the departures of Claudia Schiffer, Christy Turlington, and even Cindy Crawford and Linda Evangelista did not diminish their desires. In the eyes of those women ambitious for fame and fortune, John was a shortcut, and some of them had succeeded!
For these ambitious beauties, they will do everything they can as long as there is a glimmer of hope. And the more they do so, the easier they are to be taken advantage of, and the more harm they will cause to John.

Compared to the cutthroat competition with those conglomerates, John prefers to talk to people like Ikuo Suo, because it makes him feel relaxed and less stressed, and even helps him unwind. However, there aren't many people who can truly connect with John, and even the beautiful women around him often fail to help him relax.

Wherever there are people, there are dynamics, and this is true even among beautiful women, especially now that they all have children. For the sake of their children, problems inevitably arise between them, and even John's foresight is useless. Status, position, and wealth are enough to change their lives!
(End of this chapter)