America: My Time

Chapter 466 Greed
Chapter 466 Greed

"Enka? It won't recover. The entire Japanese record market is currently in a deep freeze because the economy determines everything. Japan's economy is like a runaway horse, galloping at breakneck speed. Many people's consumption habits have changed; karaoke and nightclubs are where they yearn for nightlife. Under these circumstances, the Japanese record market will inevitably suffer a severe blow. As for the change in idols, it will be the beginning of bands. Under the influence of Western music, Japan will enter the era of bands. This is the transformation that Elite Entertainment will have to face. This year, Elite Entertainment will make changes, make arrangements for its idols, and then shift towards band development. This requires more preparation work in advance. If you are interested, you can also participate."

Naoko and Akina Nakamori quickly shook their heads. Hitomi Kuroki thought for a moment and then shook her head as well. This seemed like an opportunity, but she didn't have the ability. Her understanding of the music industry was limited, and even her understanding of the entertainment industry was limited. If she rashly got involved in the band, not only would she not achieve anything, but she would also be affected.

"Alright, since none of you want to get involved, just focus on your own business and don't let external factors influence you. Especially Akina, don't worry about your family's little problems; it's unnecessary. And Akiko, don't be too careless either. Urge Mitsui Fudosan to complete its real estate developments in various locations as quickly as possible. The longer it takes, the more costs will be incurred. The appreciation of the yen will increase investment in real estate. Also, if it's not necessary, it's best if you don't participate in real estate investment. This is not something you can get involved in!"

At this point, John once again reminded Naoko, Akina Nakamori, and Hitomi Kuroki not to have any designs on Japanese real estate, as getting involved would wipe out their savings. As for housing, John had arranged for them to own properties in Tokyo, all built to their own specifications.

Naoko and Hitomi Kuroki have no problem, but Akina Nakamori does. This isn't her own problem, but rather her greedy family. Her greedy father is investing all his savings in real estate, taking out loans from Japanese banks and getting caught in a vicious cycle of real estate investment.

"Is real estate investment really that dangerous? Isn't it appreciating right now?" Naoko was closest to Nakamori Akina and knew that Akina's family was using Akina's money to invest in real estate, so she asked on Akina's behalf.

"It is true that prices are appreciating, but do you think you can capitalize on this appreciation? Do you think Japanese real estate will continue to appreciate like this? Don't be fooled by the ridiculous notion that Tokyo real estate prices won't drop. Nothing is immune to price drops. Moreover, investing in real estate now could easily lead to being trapped. I'm shocked by the insane rise in Japanese land prices and have had to stop investing in Japanese real estate. Perhaps Japanese land prices won't fall in the next two or three years, but we've already missed the best investment period. Continuing to invest in real estate now will require paying an even higher price. The appreciation of the yen will increase the cost of Japanese real estate. Excessively high housing prices will only have a huge impact on Japan's development. Do you think young people can afford these ever-increasing housing prices? Furthermore, there are problems with the current environment in Japan. Companies are frantically poaching graduates, using all sorts of methods. It's simply chaos. This is not a healthy market. You'd better not participate in real estate investment."

"But Akina's family has invested all her savings in real estate. They are demanding money from record companies and agencies in order to repay bank loans!" At this point, Naoko had to reveal Akina's situation. She was worried that Akina's family's madness would drag her into the abyss again and plunge her into an even greater disaster.

Upon hearing this, John frowned. His instincts told him that there was something wrong with this matter. Perhaps it wasn't a simple matter, and someone was using Akina's greedy family to scheme against him.

After a moment's thought, John asked, "Akina, what do you think? I can't interfere in this matter, after all, these are your family members. If they're just making short-term investments and selling them in two or three years, there won't be a big problem. But if they continue investing so recklessly, the consequences will be severe. Once the real estate market fluctuates, they won't have enough time to react and will fall into an abyss of despair. The huge loans will crush them. If I remember correctly, they have hundreds of millions of yen in cash. If they've invested it all in real estate, the problem is very serious!"

Although that amount of money was a small matter for John, it was a huge pitfall for Akina and her greedy family. Falling into this pit would not be a good thing, because based on John's understanding of this greedy family, they would only sink deeper and deeper and would not be able to get out in time. Greed was their biggest problem.

If this family falls into such a deep hole, and when they can't repay their bank loans and can't bear the immense pressure, it will all fall on Akina's shoulders. Given Akina's strong personality, she certainly won't be able to handle such a blow. Neither Naoko nor Hitomi's families are particularly troublesome; neither has caused any problems. If Akina's family were to cause any major incident, it would definitely affect Akina herself.

The fact that this family is so desperate as to demand funds from their agency and record company to cover bank loans indicates that this is no small matter. They must have substantial outstanding loans, and if they continue to sink deeper, it will only lead to their destruction and plunge Akina into enormous trouble. "I don't know what to do either. They're listening to so many people and are frantically investing in real estate. I've tried to dissuade them, but they simply don't believe me!"

Upon hearing this, John sighed deeply. Such greedy people would cling to any glimmer of success and never let go, only sinking deeper and deeper into their own depravity. This family lacked any wisdom; they would ultimately be consumed by their own greed.

"If possible, stop giving them any more funds. That will only make them sink deeper. I will have someone handle the agency and record company, and they will not receive any more funds. They signed an agreement back then, and their actions have already violated that agreement! At this point, if we want to prevent them from falling into an even greater disaster, we have to cut off their source of funding and force them to stop! With their intelligence and abilities, they can do a small business without any problem, but they don't have the ability to invest in real estate."

The Japanese real estate industry has ruined countless lives, even Yoshiaki Tsutsumi of the Seibu Group was badly burned. Almost an entire generation has fallen into the real estate trap and is burdened with huge debts. If it weren't for his intervention, Akina would have been in the same situation and would also be burdened with huge debts. Now the situation is even more serious. This family has even more money in their hands, which makes John sigh. Perhaps this is fate.

"Akiko, when you have time, find out if there are any other people plotting against Akina's family, or if they are intentionally trying to lure them into real estate investment. This is not a small matter, and I need a prepared answer. Also, you and Naoko should ask your families to be more vigilant and not get involved in real estate investment!"

John was alerted by the situation involving Akina's family and asked Hitomi Kuroki to investigate the underlying issues. He instructed Kuroki to react promptly and make arrangements if any problems arose.

Human greed knows no bounds. It's impossible to get Akina's family to stop now. If they can get enough funds, they will only sink deeper. The most important thing is to cut off their source of funding. At least we can't let them get more money from Akina, or from her agency and record company.

Seeing John's solemn expression, Naoko, Hitomi Kuroki, and Akina Nakamori all realized the seriousness of the situation. Akina Nakamori, who had always been weak towards John, also realized that she had to make a change, otherwise she would only end up harming her family.

Even if we could cut off the Akina family's source of funding, it's still a question whether they would let go. Once they've made their first fortune, these guys won't let go; greed will make them even more reckless.

"You should keep this to yourselves and not spread it around. Japan is currently in a period of rapid development and there won't be any major problems in the short term. If you tell others, it will only make you a laughing stock and won't do any good. People's hearts are the hardest thing to control, and greed is the hardest thing to manage. Not everyone has the ability to restrain their greed. Most people lose their minds when they get their first pot of gold!"

In fact, there are many such greedy people on Wall Street. Many of those who end up in dire straits are doing it themselves. They are all tempted step by step by greed and fall into an abyss of no return. Before the devaluation of the dollar, many such people fell into dire straits. This is human nature! Greed is engraved in people's bones. As long as they fall into the temptation and seduction of greed, they will fall into greater disaster.

(End of this chapter)