The American Kill Line: I Can Predict the Future

Chapter 117 Arrival in Japan, the Attitudes of Major Conglomerates

Before the army moves, public opinion takes precedence.

While Ron was still on the plane, the Wall Street media began to promote Hunter Capital.

Ron's actions, which went against the trend when the yen was surging and the Nikkei and Japanese stock markets were plummeting, were likened to those of a savior.

Hunter Capital's trip to Japan this time was not to take advantage of others' misfortune, but to bring long-term and stable industrial cooperation to Japan's post-disaster reconstruction.

Meanwhile, major Wall Street rating agencies wildly exaggerated the permanent damage caused by the nuclear leak and fiercely criticized the inaction of leading Japanese companies after the disaster.

At that time, Hiromasa Yonekura, president of the Japan Business Federation and the "prime minister" of the business world, was sitting in the main seat, facing Mitsubishi, Sumitomo, and...

The presidents of the six major conglomerates—Mitsui, Fuji, Sanwa, and Dai-Ichi Kangyo—read out the administrative orders for disaster relief and supply guarantees word by word.

The total compensation for the TEPCO nuclear accident is expected to exceed 11 trillion yen.

This enormous sum of money is simply impossible for TEPCO to manage alone.

This is just the compensation; the post-disaster reconstruction will cost an even larger sum.

Japan's finances were already in deficit, and this bailout directly depleted its cash flow.

Therefore, the compensation for this accident needs to be borne jointly by these six conglomerates.

This is not a discussion; it is a firm order finalized by the Ministry of Economy, Trade and Industry and the Cabinet.

Thirdly, LNG-fired power generation is essential.

Otherwise, it would deal a devastating blow to Japan's manufacturing and financial industries, and could even trigger social unrest.

This is not something to be discussed.

After reading the document, Hiromasa Yonekura closed it and glanced around the room.

The presidents of the six major conglomerates all looked increasingly grim.

Their own industries suffered heavy losses due to the earthquake and nuclear leak crisis.

At this point, it's a good thing that they're not asking the government for money; where would they find extra money to cover TEPCO's losses?

The conference room was deathly silent.

The first to break the silence was Muto Isao, the first president of the Sanwa Group, who was sitting at the end of the table.

He was the lowest-ranking person in charge, with a humble smile that bordered on obsequiousness: "President Yonekura, esteemed presidents."

Everyone in the Sanwa Group agrees with what the president just said.

When the nation faces crisis, we business owners must unite as one and overcome this difficult time together.

Muto Isao spoke with righteous indignation, and Yonekura Hiromasa, sitting at the head of the table, raised the corners of his mouth and nodded slightly.

The presidents of the other five major conglomerates all gave each other a surprised look.

Just then, Muto Isao changed the subject: "But President Yonekura, there are a few things I have to say frankly to the president and all the seniors here."

"Let's start with this earthquake. Our Kansai Electric Power's power plants, Kobe Steel's blast furnaces, and Sharp's LCD factory were all severely damaged. Just resuming production will cost us nearly 500 billion yen."

"And then there's Kansai Electric Power. Every day when they wake up, they're losing billions of yen to secure LNG spot deals and ensure power supply in Kansai. Their cash flow is so tight that they have to be very careful with next month's purchases."

Yonekura Hiromasa's face stiffened, then gradually darkened.

No sooner had Muto finished speaking than Yasuhiro Sato, president of the Dai-Ichi Kangyo Group sitting next to him, immediately chimed in. He sighed, "What President Muto said reflects the sentiments of all the member companies of Dai-Ichi Kangyo Group. This earthquake destroyed our Kawasaki Heavy Industries shipyard and Fujitsu semiconductor plant. Resuming operations will require a massive investment, and our cash flow has long been depleted."

Immediately afterwards, Takashi Tsukamoto of the Fuji Group echoed this sentiment.

The presidents of second-tier conglomerates were all saying the same thing.

poverty!

No money!

After the second-tier conglomerates finished complaining about being poor, Mitsubishi Corporation President Katsunori Nagayoshi, sitting in the front row, slowly spoke: "President Yonekura, presidents, the difficulties you all mentioned are very real."

However, the company presidents seem to have forgotten that both the compensation from TEPCO and the guarantee of LNG supply are matters of national importance, and we bear an inescapable responsibility. This cannot be denied, nor can it be shirked.

"Hey, President Yongyi is right." Since the leader said so, the other presidents naturally echoed him.

Then, Yongyi Kedian continued, "But having a responsibility does not mean we can ignore reality."

He looked at Hiromasa Yonekura at the head of the table and said sincerely, "President Yonekura, I'm afraid we'll have to trouble you to negotiate with the government again on this matter. It's not that we're unwilling to follow the government's instructions, but without government subsidies and policy support, we in the business community alone probably can't weather this storm."

Hiromasa Yonekura was originally from the Mitsubishi faction, and Katsunori Nagayoshi gave him an out.

He could only nod slightly in resignation.

Just then, the chief secretary handed the computer in his hand to Hiromasa Yonekura.

Yonekura Hiromasa spent two minutes reading it, then asked in a low voice with a serious expression, "Is the time confirmed?"

"Yes, it's confirmed that I'll arrive at Tokyo Haneda Airport at 8 p.m. tonight."

Yonekura Hiromasa nodded slightly, and immediately felt relaxed.

It's really relaxing.

Previously, we had to negotiate with these chaebols.

It's all about money.

Are these chaebols rich?

They definitely have money; even if the entire country of Japan went bankrupt, it wouldn't have much of an impact on them.

They all just want to take advantage of the national crisis to demand more.

The nuclear crisis is a fact, and so is the fact that LNG is controlled by the United States.

But who will bear the losses?

This is the core conflict between the Japanese government and the zaibatsu (financial conglomerates).

Now that the cabinet has made its decision, there's no need to discuss it further.

He smiled at the major conglomerates and said, "Presidents, I just received news from the Cabinet that the safety net you've been asking for has arrived."

He waved his hand, and the chief secretary passed the computers around to the major conglomerates.

The content consists of two points: First, the U.S. Department of Energy will soon announce the release of strategic crude oil reserves into Japan to ensure LNG supply.

The condition is that Japan must fully open its energy market and allow US capital to participate in the investment and operation of Japan's power and LNG infrastructure.

Second, Wall Street has made it clear that it will provide Japan with comprehensive services, including trade settlement, for its future LNG imports.

A negotiating delegation led by Hunter Capital is about to arrive in Tokyo, Japan.

Finally, here's some information about Hunter Capital and its founder, Ron Hunter.

During the period of the Japanese earthquake and nuclear leak in March, Hunter Capital traded in the yen exchange rate, the Nikkei, and the Japanese stock market.

The phrase "suddenly raked in over 20 billion US dollars" caused the pupils of these tycoons to contract rapidly.

Seeing the stunned expressions on the faces of these usually aloof zaibatsu, Hiromasa Yonekura found it quite amusing.

And he actually laughed out loud: "Presidents, please take your time considering this. I need to go pick someone up on behalf of the cabinet. Excuse me!"

After saying that, he stood up and left.

"President Yonekura, please wait a moment. Now that guests from Wall Street have arrived, it is our Sojitz Corporation's duty to accompany them!"

The first to speak was Mitsuaki Tohashi, president of Sojitz Corporation, the weakest of the six major conglomerates.

"President Yonekura, please wait for us too."

In an instant, the three tycoons on the second tier ran out after them.

Only the "Big Three" conglomerates remained silent in the conference room.

After a long silence, Mitsubishi Corporation President Katsunori Nagayoshi stood up, straightened his suit, and slowly said, "Presidents, now that the Cabinet has made its decision, let's go."

In fact, he had met the Koch family members long ago.

Not only him, but he has met almost all six major conglomerates.

However, the conditions offered by the other party were simply too harsh.

These conglomerates have been dragging their feet.

I want to see the government's attitude.

There's no need to look now. Since the government has sent out these messages, it proves that the cabinet has almost agreed.

Since the government has already voted.

Then what's the point of them struggling?

It was 8:10 p.m. that evening.

It was drizzling in Tokyo.

A Boeing 747-400 from the United States landed on the diplomatic tarmac at Tokyo Haneda Airport.

By this time, Haneda Airport had already been cleared out by security.

The entire area around the airport was under tight security.

After the plane came to a stop, a group of tycoons in suits stepped onto the wet lawn, holding umbrellas.

David Koch was walking at the very front.

Beside him is Hiromasa Yonekura, president of the Keidanren (Keidanren) company.

Behind them walked the three heads of the three major conglomerates.

Following them were the presidents of the next three zaibatsu (financial conglomerates).

Following them were a dozen or so presidents of leading Japanese companies, including Tokyo Electric Power, Mitsubishi UFJ Financial Group, and Toyota Motor, who had also received the news and arrived one after another.

The hatch opened.

First, eight bodyguards of different skin colors and clothing appeared in everyone's sight.

The bodyguards scanned each waiting person, and only after confirming there was no threat did they give an instruction through their earpieces.

Ron then stepped out of the cabin.

Fang Wei, the assistant, was half a step behind and was holding an umbrella.

Next came representatives from investment banks such as Bank of America and JPMorgan Chase.

Finally, it's Robert.

"Ron."

David Koch stepped forward with a broad smile, put his arm around Ron's, and teased, "I thought you didn't dare to come."

Ron rolled his eyes: "I came here specifically to help because I was worried you wouldn't be able to handle it."

David laughed heartily: "You're right, I was planning to go back a few days later anyway."

After saying that, without waiting for Ron to reply, he began to introduce the group of people behind him.

In fact, apart from Hiromasa Yonekura and the three major zaibatsu families, almost everyone else took the initiative to come up and bow to introduce themselves.

"Mr. Hunter, welcome to Japan! We are very grateful. I am—"

Ron had also done some preliminary research on these Japanese conglomerates and the social situation beforehand.

He appears humble and polite, but is actually cunning and treacherous.

Wall Street's assessment of the people of this country is:

The deeper the bow, the bigger the pit.

A polite scammer

Greed leads to victory, cowardice leads to defeat.

[Never say no, and never say yes]

Apologizing is more frequent than eating, but correcting mistakes is harder than climbing to heaven.

Before coming, Paulson warned, "Negotiation with the Japanese is the most grueling thing in the world. They use the most humble attitude to constantly test your bottom line, dissect your every word behind your back, find your weaknesses, and drag it out until you lose patience and are forced to accept their terms."

"Their politeness is just a tool for delaying and scheming."

David Koch has come to understand this deeply during this period.

On the way to the closed-door welcome banquet held by the six major conglomerates at the Imperial Hotel in Tokyo, he said seriously, "Ron, I need to remind you that if you want to get back quickly, you'd better be firm. Don't be fooled by these guys' appearances. I've had enough, anyway."

As the second-in-command of America's largest energy family, his words carry weight wherever he goes.

Unfortunately, I got really angry in this godforsaken place.

Whether David spoke kindly or hurled angry insults.

These Japanese monkeys always bow and apologize, never saying no, never saying yes.

"Hearing you say that, I'd like to play with them for a bit."

Ron stroked his stubble. "How about I dabble in the stock market for a couple of days? To earn some travel expenses?"

He happened to be browsing Japanese news these past few days and "foresaw" a piece of information.

Due to account monitoring, it is impossible to operate.

Now it can all be done through the Koch family's financial accounts.

Since this nation is inherently hypocritical, then we should strike at their sincerity.

David Koch's eyes lit up: "That's a great idea, hahaha, f***!! Take me with you, I fucking want to fucking kill them."

He's been holding in a lot of anger lately and is looking for a way to vent it.

Ron nodded: "Okay, you pay, and we'll split the profits fifty-fifty."

"no problem!!"

David readily agreed, without a doubt that Ron would lose money.

On Wall Street, anyone can lose money, except for Ron.

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