America: My Time

Chapter 414 Riko's Reminder

Chapter 414 Riko's Reminder
Just look at how well the Japanese people recognize the luxury brands under the Eien Group to see how deeply they've cultivated the Japanese market. TV Tokyo doesn't need to invest much in clothing when filming dramas; the luxury brands under the Eien Group take care of everything. Whenever there's a demand, the latest seasonal styles are provided free of charge. At most, they just need to increase the brand's appearance in the storyline to increase the Japanese people's awareness of the brand.

Over the years, the entire Japanese market has become very familiar with the brands under the Eien Group, especially the luxury brands, whose sales have been steadily increasing. Clothing, hosiery, and jewelry have all achieved great success in the Japanese market. Even Japan's own mid-range brands have expanded rapidly, and the more mainstream Uniqlo brand has also seen good development.

Such success is not due to the Forever Group's own brilliant strategy, but rather the result of the behind-the-scenes efforts of its big boss, John, and the strong support of Phoenix Group and Legendary Entertainment Media.

It's not that no one wants to learn from the Eternal Group's expansion; luxury brands also want to do the same. However, they lack the resources, so they are powerless to influence the Eternal Group's expansion in Japan, let alone challenge its position in the Japanese market. Now, the Eternal Group has received cooperation invitations from major Japanese television stations. The reason is simple: they have the qualifications, and although television stations are not short of money, saving a little on clothing costs is a good thing.

The appearance of this Victoria's Secret Fashion Show has further increased the Japanese people's awareness of the Eternal Group and made the brand more well-known. After receiving one good news after another, John breathed a sigh of relief. He could finally let go of the development of the Eternal Group. The Japanese layout has been successful. Now he just needs to wait for the arrival of the bubble era.

After the Victoria's Secret Fashion Show, the Forever Group gained a lot of benefits in Japan. However, John no longer needs to pay attention to this kind of investment. Now he needs to focus on the 'cooperation' with Japan in the mining industry.

As night fell, John and his group arrived at a party hosted by Sony, still in the suburbs of Tokyo. What appeared to be an ordinary party actually carried significant implications. Bringing only Naoko would have worried Miwa and Sumitomo, as this seemingly simple Sony-organized event was far from over. The shadow of the Japanese government was behind it all. The mining cooperation was no small matter, and Quantum Mining's over $100 million investment in Australia wasn't solely funded by steel companies; the Japanese government was also involved. And now, the implications for uranium refining were even more pronounced.

Upon entering the venue, John sensed something different from before. There were many more giants in the mining, steel, and energy sectors present. John even saw Japanese government officials. It seemed that these Japanese guys were genuinely interested in cooperating with him in the mining and energy sectors, but John wasn't quite sure how sincere they were.

John and his group were hosted by Riko, a familiar face. Although John was accompanied by three beautiful women, no one seemed curious. These people were all familiar with John's background; it was impossible for someone to attend the party without knowing anything about him. What puzzled John was that the performers at this party were all beautiful idols; there were no other performers. This was a clear difference from the parties he had attended before. Moreover, this party was also different in that it featured many beautiful women—idols, singers, actresses, and models. The entire party reminded John of parties held within Wall Street, but it was far more restrained. This unexpected turn of events was quite surprising.

At this party, all the bigwigs were accompanied by beautiful women. However, as more people arrived, it was no longer just giants from the mining, steel, and energy sectors; giants from other industries also appeared, and each of them was accompanied by a beautiful woman, making the entire party feel like it was surrounded by beauties.

John had never encountered a party like this before. Naoko, Akina Nakamori, and Hitomi Kuroki were also somewhat surprised, taken aback by what they saw. Naoko and Akina Nakamori, in particular, showed a hint of astonishment in their eyes, as many idols and entertainers they knew were accompanied by powerful figures. In contrast, Hitomi Kuroki was much calmer. The reason was simple: although she also saw some familiar figures, some beauties from Takarazuka, this was no secret within Takarazuka. In fact, such situations were quite common in Japan. Those who started as models were even more numerous.

In contrast, Riko, who had witnessed far more darkness, saw only indifference. This was just a normal party; far more outrageous parties were not uncommon in Japan. For the tycoons, this was nothing unusual; such situations were perfectly normal in Japan. What John and his group were seeing was merely the tip of the iceberg. John understood all this, and he knew that the power of these conglomerates far exceeded ordinary people's imagination. Later generations knew the terror of South Korean conglomerates and the darkness of the South Korean entertainment industry, but all of this was learned from Japan and the Americans. The darkness of the Americans was no less than that of South Korea, and perhaps even more insane. Japan was no different; it was just that the power of the Japanese conglomerates was stronger, their control was greater, and very little information could be leaked out.

"Is this a bit surprising? Actually, this is the norm. It's just that you've been protected too much, so your understanding is limited. Not all artists are as lucky as you are to be able to follow the right person from the start. Many people have to bow down to resources. What you're seeing now is just the tip of the iceberg!" When John saw Akio Morita and went over to greet him, Riko explained to Naoko, Akina, and Hitomi Kuroki. This wasn't the first time she had seen this situation. She had experienced and witnessed countless similar situations while following Akio Morita. In her opinion, today's situation was still restrained.

Riko endured considerable hardship to be able to follow a powerful figure like Akio Morita. Even now, her status is only slightly better than that of idol stars. If it weren't for her good relationship with Naoko, it's questionable whether she could have stayed with someone like Morita for so long. These powerful figures change women too quickly; without considerable ability, one simply won't have many opportunities.

"Look at the situation over there. The relationship between Yoshinaga Sayuri and Tsutsumi Yoshiaki isn't simple either. There are too many cases like this. This industry is cruel. You're lucky you're doing well!" Riko sighed as she said this. Many beautiful women at parties don't come willingly; they're forced into it. That's how realistic this industry is. To become famous, you have to pay a price; to gain more wealth, you also have to pay a price. The relationship between Yoshinaga Sayuri and Tsutsumi Yoshiaki is like that. And Riko, who knows more about the industry's dark side, knows even better how lecherous and arrogant Tsutsumi Yoshiaki is.

Look at the women around those big shots; aren't they all stunningly beautiful? Are they truly content to accompany these old men? No, they're often forced into it, and some are driven by money, a desire to climb the social ladder and change their lives. In Japan, there are countless hidden exchanges of interests, and the entertainment industry is rife with scandals. Of course, Japan itself plays a role; their views on sex are relatively detached. So how many of those beautiful women who step into the entertainment industry can resist the lure of money?

Many people, after accepting the initial arrangement and reaping huge benefits, cannot resist the temptation and step into the abyss. There are far too many such cases in Japan. It is precisely because she understands this that Riko reminds Naoko, Akina, and Hitomi Kuroki how good their current situation is.

What was Akio Morita's purpose in hosting such a party? Was it his own idea, or someone else's? Riko used Sayuri Yoshinaga and Yoshiaki Tsutsumi as examples; could this be her own idea? Or is it just as simple as it seems on the surface?
Naoko Kawai and Akina Nakamori didn't react too sensitively to all of this, perhaps because they hadn't been in this industry for very long. Initially, they were the company's cash cows, so they were well protected. However, Hitomi Kuroki, having been exposed to more information in Takarazuka, quickly noticed something and nodded thoughtfully.

For Riko to bring up Sayuri Yoshinaga and Yoshiaki Tsutsumi is no ordinary matter. Even as Akio Morita's woman, Riko wouldn't dare to do this without special circumstances. There must be more reasons behind it, and this reminder also made Hitomi Kuroki realize the importance of the matter.

However, all of this cannot be said openly. They can only rely on women like Riko to indirectly remind the three of them. And doing so is nothing more than for the man behind them, John. As a resource-poor country, Japan needs resources like the back of its hand. Kawai Naoko and Nakamori Akina do not understand Riko's intentions, but Kuroki Hitomi does. As a resource tycoon, John will inevitably be valued by all parties in Japan. This explains why some bigwigs from the Japanese government can be seen at such a party. Everything is for resources.

The greater the capabilities of Quantum Mining, the more Japan values ​​John and the three beauties around him. This explains Riko's reminder. However, while she understands this, Hitomi Kuroki cannot say it aloud. She can only cooperate silently, and that's all!

(End of this chapter)