America: My Time

Chapter 711 Akio Morita's Test

Chapter 701 Akio Morita's Test
“Perhaps. After all, when it comes to games, different cultures have different preferences, so not all gamers like online games. And with the current cost of personal computers, they're not suitable for widespread adoption. It all takes time.” John shook his head as he spoke, not finding anything wrong with Akio Morita’s idea.

John couldn't judge Akio Morita's ideas based on his own perspective. After all, he had experience from the future and knew about the development of games in the future, while Akio Morita didn't have that ability. Most importantly, it would take a lot of time for online games to truly develop, and in the meantime, home video game consoles and arcade games were still quite good.

"That's true. Different cultures lead to different preferences among gamers. However, using internet cafes as a means of promotion is indeed feasible and profitable. This not only promotes games but also personal computers and accelerates the development of the internet. If Global Online hadn't already completed global networking, this would probably not have been an easy task."

Upon hearing Akio Morita's words, John couldn't help but sigh. This guy was truly cunning and treacherous, not forgetting to test him even at this moment, trying to learn more about his views on the internet and personal computers.

"Perhaps. After all, saying anything now is meaningless. It takes time and opportunity to truly push things forward. Global Online has paid a considerable price, and this only applies to global connectivity. Further promotion of the internet in other countries is needed, which is no easy task and requires more funding."

John is well aware of the costs involved in establishing a strategic presence in a country. He has done so in the United States and understands the magnitude of the costs involved. This is why John chose to cooperate with the Japanese government; only in this way can the burden on Global Online be minimized.

It's impossible to drive the rapid development of the internet solely through online games. We need to improve network information and have better planning. Dream World has already started taking action, and we believe that a new operating system will appear soon. At that time, Dream World will be even stronger because John's plan is to integrate a browser into Dream World's next-generation operating system!

John had even more ideas and plans for the internet, but they hadn't fully materialized yet. With the advent of the internet and the completion of the global submarine cable connection by Global Online, many small companies emerged in Silicon Valley, and John was behind all of them.

After realizing he couldn't get any further information from John, Akio Morita got up and left. After he left, he couldn't help but sigh, "What a shrew! So meticulous! Riko, what did you get from Hitomi Kuroki?"

It has to be said that Akio Morita played this move very cleverly. Even though Naoko had left Japan, he still brought Riko with him, and his target was Hitomi Kuroki. He made full use of the woman's usefulness.

“I didn’t get any useful information from Zhao Zi. She doesn’t know much about all this. The registration of the Internet Cafe Alliance was only done after you called Mr. John. We just used Phoenix Comics’ staff to complete the company registration. We’ll have to wait for the arrival of people from Taiwan before we can make any further preparations.”

Although Riko said she didn't get much useful information, she knew quite a lot. This was just her humble answer, and also to leave herself some room to maneuver. After all, she only got all of this from Kuroki Hitomi and it hadn't been verified yet. If something went wrong, she would still have room to maneuver.

"So, it seems that little fox John really didn't intend to push his internet cafe alliance plan into Japan. He didn't even prepare beforehand. It seems I was overthinking things. This guy has long believed that Japan's real estate market and economic development are too crazy, otherwise he wouldn't have sold off all his properties so easily!" Upon hearing Riko's reply, Akio Morita breathed a sigh of relief. This news dispelled his doubts about John's intentions. Unfortunately, Akio Morita didn't know that this was precisely the information John wanted him to know. John had anticipated Akio Morita's reaction and made comprehensive preparations before even starting, which explained Akio Morita's perception.

While Akio Morita was talking to Riko, John couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief, shaking his head and saying, "What a cunning old fox, never forgetting to test you. I bet Riko is also asking you about the internet cafe league, right?"

John then turned his gaze to Kuroki Hitomi, since it was John who had instructed her to do this. Knowing Akio Morita as he did, John knew that this guy would definitely use Riko's relationship with Kuroki Hitomi to ask questions. "Yes, Riko-nee did ask about the internet cafe league, and I didn't hide anything from her and told her everything."

"Don't worry about this. The internet cafe alliance doesn't need us to do anything. Since Sony is determined to take over this market share in Japan, let them push it themselves. We won't make any arrangements, at most we'll just collect franchise fees, and we won't concern ourselves with anything else. How big a market Sony can open up is their own business. How much real estate do you still own? It's best to sell off any excess real estate before Christmas. I always feel that Japan's economy is too crazy, and its real estate market is too crazy. If this continues, the whole of Japan will have no future. With such high housing prices, how can those at the bottom afford to buy a house? How can they still see hope? The solidification of social classes will drag Japan into a quagmire, and the high housing prices will make young people lose the courage to strive. Right now, the housing prices in Japan leave those at the bottom with no hope at all!"

Kuroki Hitomi was also aware of the situation in Japan. Japan's social classes were indeed solidified, and the only way to change one's fate was through the college entrance examination. Only by getting into a good university could one change their destiny. This was why companies were so eager to recruit talent from universities during the bubble economy, and the cost was shocking.

Hearing John's words, Hitomi Kuroki couldn't help but sigh. Let alone those at the bottom of society, if she hadn't followed John, she probably wouldn't be able to afford property in Tokyo right now. The soaring property prices shocked even Hitomi Kuroki. She didn't own many properties anymore, and at the current rate, they wouldn't take long to sell. However, to maximize profits, she chose to sell slowly; otherwise, given the current frenzy in the Japanese real estate market, getting rid of them would be incredibly easy.

"I understand, but it seems Phoenix Comics and Animation has some objections. They don't want to separate the game production team; they intend to continue improving the game department!" At this moment, Hitomi Kuroki told John about the situation with Phoenix Comics and Animation. With the completion of the game production, Phoenix Comics and Animation felt that they should continue to improve themselves, and games were a good option. Separating game production was not a good thing.

"Is this Matsumoto's idea?" John frowned at this point. While it wouldn't be a big problem for Phoenix Comics and Animation to further develop game production, was this constant expansion really a good thing? Would it affect the development of the comics? After all, comics are the foundation, and only through them can they control more IPs. If game production affects the creation and quality of the comics, then it would be a case of losing more than they gain.

Of course, John doesn't necessarily have to stop it. If Phoenix Comics and Animation had that kind of strength, it would be fine. However, the situation in Japan is different now. Even though Phoenix Comics has been cultivating its own talent, do they have enough manpower? Will their involvement in game production at this time affect the production of comics and animation?

"Yes, it was President Matsumoto who asked me to convey this message. He believes it is an improvement to Phoenix Comics and Animation, as well as a further utilization of resources and an increase in the use of Phoenix Comics' IP."

“Okay, I understand. I’ll talk to Matsumoto after the internet cafe alliance issue is resolved. I hope he won’t let me down. How’s Momoko doing with your training? Can she handle things on her own? If she were involved in the management of the internet cafe alliance, could she manage?” John didn’t plan to be too involved in the internet cafe alliance in Japan, so he didn’t want to make too many plans. That’s why he thought of Kikuchi Momoko.

“If it’s simple management, she’ll have no problem. But will it put pressure on her? If the internet cafe alliance is really promoted, there will be a lot of things to deal with!” Kuroki Hitomi had some understanding of Kikuchi Momoko’s abilities.

"No, things aren't as complicated as you think, and there's not much to handle. It's just a matter of collecting franchise fees and doing an audit. It doesn't require much professional expertise. You can ask her when you have time. If there are no problems, then let her give it a try. Even if she makes a mistake, it's not a big deal. What she has to do isn't difficult!"

Originally, if Kuroki Hitomi had been willing to take over, John would have entrusted everything to her. Unfortunately, she had changed and no longer wanted to participate in company management, leaving John with no choice. After all, it was her own decision, and he couldn't force her. Now, he could only hope that Kikuchi Momoko had the ability and was willing to participate in the company's management; otherwise, he would have to make other plans. Finding a suitable candidate in Japan these days isn't easy. If the internet cafe alliance were to expand in Japan, it would generate considerable financial flow, and John wouldn't feel comfortable without someone he could trust.

(End of this chapter)