Painting a Pie
Nakayama Takuya and Matsumoto were quickly led to the Ministry of Ministry of International Trade and Industry's reception room.
A short while later, the door was pushed open, and a slightly overweight middle-aged man with a meticulously styled "7/3" hairstyle walked in. He was Eikura, the section chief of the Information Processing Promotion Division.
Eikura's gaze swept over the two of them, and he sat down with a professional smile on his face.
"Section Chief Eikura, it's an honor to meet you for the first time." Matsumoto Chief Nakayama Takuya stood up, bowed slightly, and presented his business card with both hands. "I am Nakayama Takuya from Sega. I am honored to have the opportunity to visit you today. I look forward to your guidance."
Eikura took the business card and raised his eyebrows almost imperceptibly when he saw the title "Operations Specialist," but when he saw the surname "Nakayama," his eyes became meaningful.
After all, in the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, while they wouldn't claim to know everything about an electronics giant like Sega, it was quite normal for them to have a general understanding of the company. He nodded and gestured for the two to sit down.
"Professor Yonezawa has already spoken to me on the phone," Eikura said bluntly. "I heard that Sega is encountering some technical bottlenecks in communication efficiency for its multinational business?"
"Yes," Matsumoto took over the conversation; he was the nominal leader today.
He respectfully presented the plan, which Nakayama Takuya had titled "Preliminary Ideas for Constructing a 'Highway for Japan's Electronics and Information Industry'".
Eikura took the plan and initially just flipped through it casually. But when words like "highway," "strategic high ground," and "cornerstone of national digital management" came into view, his fingers noticeably slowed down as he turned the pages.
The office was silent except for the sound of papers turning.
Matsumoto Chief Matsumoto's forehead was already beaded with sweat. He had read this plan no less than ten times last night, and each time he felt his heart pounding.
Although this plan is written entirely in a suggestive tone, it is so detailed that it looks like a guideline issued by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to frontline employees!
Finally, Eikura put down the project proposal, interlaced his fingers on the table, and stared at Nakayama Takuya behind his glasses. "Executive Director Nakayama, this idea is bold and visionary. However, opening up a network exclusively for academic research to private companies is unprecedented in Japan. Technology security, resource allocation, and management authority are all unavoidable challenges."
Here it comes. Nakayama Takuya knew perfectly well that this was a routine test by bureaucrats.
He leaned forward slightly, a sincere and eager smile on his face, "Section Chief Eikura is right. Precisely because it's a difficult problem, we need a visionary department like the Ministry of International Trade and Industry) to lead our company in tackling it. Sega is willing to be this 'experimental field,' paving the way for the nation's future information industry policy! The proposal also mentions referencing the AT&T case in the United States. Of course, Japan and the United States have different national conditions, Ministry of International Trade and Industry will naturally make its own adjustments based on Japan's specific circumstances."
He paused, his tone becoming even more earnest. "As for technology and funding, Sega is willing to bear all the initial investment and risks. Furthermore, under the guidance of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and Industry, we are willing to share all technological achievements and practical experience with other domestic companies, jointly contributing to enhancing the global competitiveness of Japan industry!"
Matsumoto listened intently, his eyelids twitching.
Eikura Chief Eikura tapped his fingers lightly on the table, lost in thought.
No money, no policy support, just pay and work for yourself as a guinea pig. If it succeeds, the credit goes to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry; if it fails, the responsibility is yours alone.
There's no such thing as a free lunch.
He couldn't help but think, "No wonder he's Nakayama Hayao's son; this vision, this style—"
"Of course," Nakayama Takuya changed the subject, revealing a hint of youthful embarrassment, "We are, after all, a company with limited capabilities. We still need Eikura Chief Eikura and the experts from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to guide us on the specific planning and implementation. Sega will certainly strictly follow your instructions and make this a benchmark project that can stand the test of time!"
These words not only offered a promise but also provided a stepping stone, firmly placing the initiative and future credits into Eikura's hands.
Matsumoto was dumbfounded. He finally understood what his young superior meant when he said in the car yesterday, "Go and deliver a huge achievement to him."
Eikura's serious expression finally crumbled. He picked up the plan as if it were a rare treasure.
"Good! Well said!" He slammed his hand on the table, his entire demeanor changing. "Executive Director Nakayama, having a young man like you is a blessing for our Japan industry! This matter is no longer Sega's responsibility; it is the inescapable duty of our Ministry of International Trade and Industry's Information Processing Promotion Division!"
He stood up and warmly shook hands with Nakayama Takuya: "I've accepted the proposal. I'll immediately organize experts to evaluate it and personally report to the higher-ups! Go back and wait for good news! We will definitely build this Information Superhighway into a highway leading to the future!"
Just moments ago, Section Chief Eikura was acting in a purely businesslike manner, but now he considers Sega a capable lieutenant under his command and regards this project plan as the most brilliant achievement on his resume.
Eikura escorted the two to the elevator, still waving goodbye enthusiastically.
Back at Sega, Takuya instructed his assistant to inform Nohara, the head of the Computer Software Development Team, and Nakamura, the head of the Hardware Development Department, to hold a meeting the following morning.
The next day, in Takuya's office, he had just sat down to sign several documents faxed from the United States headquarters when Team Leader Nohara and Nakamura arrived one after the other.
"Have a seat." Takuya finished signing the document and put down his pen.
"I was busy getting married last year and didn't follow up much afterwards. I heard from people in North America that our 'home, study, and office suite' is selling pretty well?"
He asked the question casually, as if it were just a casual remark.
"Not just 'okay,' you're the executive director!"
Upon hearing this, Team Leader Nohara immediately stood up from the sofa, took out a report from his briefcase, and handed it over with both hands.
"Executive, look! As of last month, our 'learning machine' kit has surpassed five million units in global cumulative sales!"
Five million!
This number made Nohara's eyes light up.
"Especially in the United States market, it's selling extremely well! Mr. Tom Kalinske's report says that this product has become the key for us to unlock the middle-class family market! Parents who previously only knew Mario changed their attitudes immediately once they saw that our MD could connect to a keyboard and printer!"