Ministry of International Trade and Industry
"Alright, that's enough." Professor Yonezawa waved his hand impatiently. "Eikura is a typical bureaucrat. He likes to hear grand pronouncements and tangible achievements. Go find him, but don't just talk about Sega's efficiency; that's too narrow-minded."
Nakayama Takuya immediately understood and seized the opportunity. "Does the teacher mean that we should consider the perspective of the nation and industry?"
"Nonsense!" Professor Yonezawa glared at him. "Just tell him that this is paving the way for Japan's electronics and information industry, laying the foundation for the digital future of the entire country! Make him feel that if this is done, it will add a 'groundbreaking' achievement to his resume, and he'll be even more eager than you."
The senior student next to him listened in stunned silence, feeling as if a door to a new world was slowly opening before him. So this is how things can be done?
Nakayama Takuya suppressed a laugh and nodded solemnly, "Understood. I'll go to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry tomorrow and dedicate myself to the country and its people."
After saying that, he even gave a clownish salute.
The office was instantly filled with a cheerful atmosphere.
After the initial laughter and playful banter, Professor Yonezawa looked at his student, who was now capable of handling things independently, and his gaze softened slightly. He turned to the bewildered Yukihiko Yamashita: "Yukihiko, do you see? In school, a single paper can determine your future. In the real world, sometimes a name is more valuable than a hundred-page proposal."
He paused, then pointed back to Nakayama Takuya: "However, a name can only get you in the door. If this kid only carries his father's name..."
With that broken toilet on his mind, he'd be politely ushered out by Eikura in less than five minutes. "I've paved the way for you; whether you can walk it, and how far you can go, depends on your own abilities. Don't ruin my reputation."
"Just you wait and see," Nakayama Takuya said solemnly, his joking expression fading.
"Alright, alright, get out of here." Professor Yonezawa waved his hand as if shooing away a fly.
Nakayama Takuya stood up with a smile and bowed again, "Well then, teacher, senior, I'll take my leave now."
"Wait a minute," Professor Yonezawa called out to him.
Nakayama Takuya turned around.
The old professor leaned back in his chair and said slowly, "Once your network is up and running, remember to tell me about any new features you find. I'd like to check your grades."
Nakayama Takuya was taken aback for a moment, then a smile spread across his eyes. He nodded emphatically, "No problem, I'll let you know as soon as possible."
After saying that, he turned around and strode out of the office.
Behind him, there was the admiring gaze of Yukihiko Yamashita and the old professor's satisfied smile.
The next morning, Nakayama Takuya, carrying a note with the contact information of an official from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, knocked directly on the door of Director Yoshikawa's office.
"Oh? It's Executive Director Nakayama, a rare guest." Director Yoshikawa put down his newspaper and gestured for him to sit down.
Without any formalities, Nakayama Takuya stated his purpose directly, and finally gently placed the note on the mahogany desk in front of Director Yoshikawa.
"-That's how it is. Professor Yonezawa helped me contact Section Chief Eikura of the Information Processing Promotion Division at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry."
Director Yoshikawa's gaze fell on the small note, and his eyes narrowed slightly.
Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Information Processing Promotion Division
He picked up the note, looked at the phone number on it, then at the young man in front of him, and his previously relaxed expression instantly turned serious.
He initially thought that Nakayama Takuya just wanted to develop some new technology, but he didn't expect that his move would directly reach the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and he would also get in touch with that prestigious professor at the Tokyo Institute of Technology!
Director Yoshikawa looked at Nakayama Takuya as if he were a monster. "Do you know how much trouble our Public Relations Department usually goes through to build relationships with government departments? You have these connections and you didn't even say a word."
"That's why I came to you, the expert, for help." Nakayama Takuya grinned, revealing a set of white teeth.
"Of course, of course!" Director Yoshikawa laughed heartily, slapped his thigh, and his whole demeanor changed.
He picked up the internal phone and dialed directly. "Have Matsumoto come to my office, immediately!"
Less than a minute later, a middle-aged man in a sharp suit, his hair styled like a helmet with hair wax, knocked and entered. It was Matsumoto, the most capable Public Relations Department chief under Director Yoshikawa.
"Director, you wanted to see me?"
"Matsumoto, put everything aside for now." Director Yoshikawa pointed at Nakayama Takuya, his tone leaving no room for argument. "Tomorrow, you will accompany Executive Director Nakayama to visit Section Chief Eikura at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry."
Matsumoto paused, his gaze shifting between the young executive director and the stern-faced board member, before bowing his head heavily. "Yes, sir!"
With everything arranged, Nakayama Takuya returned to his office and began preparing his "ammunition" for tomorrow's meeting.
He knew full well that dealing with a typical bureaucrat like Section Chief Eikura required more than just connections and influence; he needed to give him something he couldn't refuse.
Even the reasons that made him eager to do it.
Mr. Yonezawa's words still ring in my ears. "Give him whatever size hat you want!"
Nakayama Takuya spread out his manuscript paper, his pen flying across the paper.
He didn't dwell too much on Sega's internal communication efficiency issues; that would be too narrow-minded.
He directly titled this plan "Preliminary Ideas on Building a 'Highway for Japan's Electronics and Information Industry'".
In his proposal, he packaged Sega's needs as a grand national strategic pilot project.
In his writing, the so-called "Internet-based" electronic forum became "a model platform for cross-border network information sharing and collaborative work for various Japan multinational corporations."
He described optimizing email functionality as "building a future-oriented, paperless, and highly efficient task distribution and tracking system, laying the foundation for national digital management."
He even wrote that once Sega successfully connects to the network, it will leverage its software development capabilities to explore a replicable "information-based office path" for multinational corporations in Japan and around the world, enabling Japan to seize the "strategic high ground" in the information industry in the new round of global technology competition!
The entire plan exudes a powerful spirit of "for the country and the people, who else but me?"
After finishing writing, Nakayama Takuya couldn't help but laugh at himself.
This isn't a business plan; it's practically a promotion resume tailor-made for Section Chief Eikura!
The next day, in the car on the way to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, the usually calm and experienced Matsumoto looked at the "grand blueprint" in his hand, and beads of sweat appeared on his forehead.
He glanced furtively at his young superior, who was resting with his eyes closed, and couldn't help but ask, "Isn't this proposal from Executive Director Nakayama a bit too exaggerated? Do you think someone as shrewd as Section Chief Eikura would believe it?"
Nakayama Takuya slowly opened his eyes, a confident smile playing on his lips.
He turned to look at the rapidly receding street scene outside the window and said leisurely, "Matsumoto, this is a communication strategy my mentor gave me. Promotion achievements are something that most civil servants generally hope for, so we're going there today to give him a huge credit. Of course, we can't have that kind of mentality; we still have to look like we're asking for a favor."