American Medicine God: Starting by Inheriting a Pharmaceutical Company and Selling Medicine

Overnight, the flags on the wall changed; the Sakura Pharmaceuticals flag was replaced by the Stars and Stripes of Water Pharmaceuticals.

Victor stood before the huge floor-to-ceiling window of the president's office, holding a cup of black coffee with ice in his hand. He looked down at the Marunouchi commercial district below, and even the Imperial Palace Outer Garden in the distance.

Now, this scenery belongs to him.

"Boss, this is today's 'asset optimization' plan, which is essentially a layoff list."

Saul walked straight in, as Victor's confidant didn't need any formalities. He was carrying a thick document, hundreds of pages long, densely filled with names and employee numbers.

"The first phase of the plan is to lay off 2,000 people. This mainly involves administrative staff and redundant personnel in the real estate department."

"Signed." Victor replied directly, his gaze still fixed on the scenery outside the window. "Since we've sold those loss-making buildings, there's no point in keeping these people around."

"But..." Thor paused, "the union's reaction is very strong. In Japan, 'lifetime employment' is not just a corporate policy; it's almost a social contract, even a religious belief. Firing a permanent employee is considered a moral crime, which will put us under tremendous public pressure."

Saul walked to the window and pointed downstairs: "Look, there are already four or five hundred protesters gathered downstairs. They're wearing headbands that say 'Victory is certain' and carrying banners that say 'Oppose American robbers' and 'Protect Made in Japan.' The NHK broadcast van just arrived too. Even through the double-glazed windows, I can feel their anger."

Victor looked down.

In the gray concrete jungle, the protesters were like a swarm of ants whose nest had been disturbed. They waved their fists, and their desperate shouts blared from loudspeakers. Although the specific content was unclear, their despair and anger seemed to penetrate the glass and reach in.

"robber?"

"Tell them that if they don't lay off employees, the company will go bankrupt next month due to a cash flow crisis. They won't even get severance pay, and their retirement funds will become worthless. In the US, this is called 'corporate restructuring.' In Japan, it's called 'growing pains.' Tell the public relations department to release a press release blaming the previous management for 'mismanagement,' and that we're here to 'save' the company."

"Another point is that if they force us to quit, under Japanese labor law, we could be bogged down in litigation for years," Saul cautioned. "Judges in the Tokyo District Court usually favor the weaker party. And if they join forces with employees from other departments to strike, our production lines will have to come to a standstill."

Suddenly, there was a gentle knock on the office's mahogany door. The knock was slow and extremely respectful.

"Come in."

The door opened, and Kenji Tanaka walked in.

The former president, now retaining the honorary title of "honorary advisor" according to the acquisition agreement, has traded his usual black power suit for a slightly loose gray office uniform, carrying a non-branded folder. This deliberate low profile is his gesture of submission to the new leader.

"Mr. Chairman, Mr. Saul." Tanaka stopped three meters away from the desk and bowed deeply.

"Regarding the issue of personnel optimization, if you don't mind, I think I can offer a more 'Japanese' solution."

Victor raised an eyebrow and sat back down in the boss's chair with interest: "Tell me about it. I've heard that the Japanese are always very creative when it comes to torturing their compatriots."

Tanaka put on a humble yet sly smile: "Mr. Chairman, you flatter me. In America, you're used to sending termination letters directly; that's too rude. In Japan, we kill with 'air'."

"Air?"

"Yes. I will set up a 'Catch-up Department,' or a 'Career Development Center.' I will transfer all the employees on that list there."

Tanaka took two steps closer:

"That department was in the basement, with no phone, no computer, no internet. Even the chairs were broken. We confiscated their business cards and revoked their access cards. Their daily task was to copy the company's 'Employee Handbook' by hand or clean up the moldy old files in the warehouse. If they finished, we made them tear up the copied handbook and copy it all over again."

"Not only that," Tanaka's eyes flashed with a sinister glint, "I'll use my 'connections' in the industry to subtly suggest that other companies not hire them. Within the company, I'll have everyone isolate them, even refusing to eat lunch with them. Former subordinates will look at them strangely when they pass by. For middle-aged Japanese men who value their reputation more than life itself, this kind of shame is worse than death."

"In this suffocating 'atmosphere,' no one can last more than three months. At that point, they'll beg on their knees to 'voluntarily resign.' This way, the company not only avoids paying hefty breach of contract penalties but also preserves its reputation for 'not firing anyone.'"

The room was silent for a few seconds.

Saul gasped. This kind of mental torture was ten times crueler than direct dismissal, but from a legal perspective, it was unassailable.

But this is not just dismissal; it is destroying a person's dignity and will.

"Excellent." Victor clapped lightly, a hint of admiration in his eyes. "That's why I kept you around, Tanaka. You're a useful knife, especially when it comes to cutting out this kind of stubborn ailment."

"Then it's up to you, Mr. Tanaka. I want to see the payroll reduced by 20% by the end of the month."

"Yes, sir." Tanaka bowed again. "Also, regarding the key project you mentioned—'Sakura Blood Products Co., Ltd.'—I've been cramming on the relevant information all night. Your previous advice was absolutely right; I was so short-sighted, sitting right on a gold mine without even realizing it!"

"I've compiled a list of secret assets, and I think you'll be interested in some of the special stockpiles!"