A Visit from the "Father of the Japanese Internet" (4,000 Characters)

Two weeks later, an internal call from Yoshikawa's office landed directly on Nakayama Takuya's desk.

"Executive Director, the Ministry of International Trade and Industry has approved the permit." Director Yoshikawa's voice sounded somewhat unusual. "It's much faster than we expected."

"As expected." Nakayama Takuya leaned back in his chair, twirling his pen in his hand, his tone relaxed.

Section Chief Eikura wanted to achieve political success, so he had no reason not to expedite the processing of the "highway" proposal that was offered to him.

Director Yoshikawa on the other end of the phone paused for two seconds, seemingly organizing his thoughts. "It's not just the approval. Eikura said that our submitted concept has caught the attention of the WIDE Project Team."

Nakayama Takuya, his fingers still as he twirled the pen.

WIDE Project?

Isn't that the project led by Professor Jun Murai in the Japan academic community to build computer networks?

"They're very interested in our 'highway'," Director Yoshikawa's voice rose slightly. "WIDE"

The project leader, Professor Jun Murai from Keio University, will personally lead a team to Sega an exchange tomorrow.

"Who?" Nakayama Takuya sat bolt upright, making sure he hadn't misheard.

"Jun Murai!" Director Yoshikawa repeated, his tone a mixture of shock and amusement. "You little brat, did you go to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry to submit a proposal, or did you stir up a hornet's nest? How did you manage to attract this big shot here!"

After hanging up the phone, Nakayama Takuya was still a little dazed.

Jun Murai, the legendary figure later known as the "Father of the Japan Internet"! My half-hearted, ambitious proposal actually alarmed this true god?

He immediately grabbed the internal phone. "Notify Nohara, the team leader of the Computer Software Development Team, and Nakamura, the head of the Hardware Development Department, to drop everything and come to my office immediately!"

A moment later, Team Leader Nohara and Nakamura rushed in one after the other.

"Executive Director, is the network working? Can we start development now?" Team Leader Nohara asked excitedly, still clutching the software concept draft in his hand.

Nakayama Takuya looked at him, took a deep breath, and slowly uttered a few words: "The internet application has been approved. But more important than that, Professor Jun Murai is coming tomorrow."

The office fell silent instantly.

Minister Nakamura adjusted his glasses, and for the first time, a clear look of distress appeared on his usually calm face.

Team Leader Nohara's mouth dropped open in astonishment.

"Mura--Professor Jun Murai? That Professor Murai who works on the WIDE Project?" Team Leader Nohara stammered, feeling like his brain was a little oxygen-deprived.

Those are top figures who only exist in academic journals and news reports, how could they possibly be associated with a game company?

"That's right." Nakayama Takuya stood up, his gaze sweeping over his two key lieutenants. "He saw our 'Highway' plan. He wants to see how Sega is going to proceed with it."

He walked up to the two of them and patted Nohara on the shoulder forcefully.

"So, put away your surprise. Tomorrow, we're not meeting a professor, but the 'Father of the Japan Internet.' Show him your best skills!"

Nohara Leader Nohara jolted, straightening his back abruptly. "Yes, sir! Executive Director! I'll have the materials ready this afternoon!"

Although Minister Nakamura didn't say anything, his eyes gleamed with excitement.

The next day, at the entrance of Sega Headquarters building, a group of senior executives, led by Director Yoshikawa, all dressed in sharp suits, stood at the entrance ten minutes early.

Not long after, two black sedans smoothly pulled up in front of the door. The doors opened, and several young men who looked like assistants got out first. Following them was a man who looked to be in his thirties, thin, wearing a worn-out suit and gold-rimmed glasses.

He had none of the airs of a big shot, and was looking at Sega's modern building with great interest.

It was Jun Murai.

"Professor Murai, welcome to visit and offer your guidance!" Director Yoshikawa immediately greeted him with a beaming smile, handing him his business card with both hands.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries and introductions, the group was led directly into the highest-level conference room.

After both sides took their seats as host and guest, and the waiter had just served tea, Jun Murai waved his hand and got straight to the point without a single wasted word.

"Executive Director Nakayama, I've reviewed the proposal you submitted to the Ministry of Ministry of International Trade and Industry. It's quite interesting." His gaze swept over the crowd, landing precisely on Nakayama Takuya. "I'd like to know, after connecting to the network, where exactly do you plan to begin?"

This question surprised even Director Yoshikawa.

Takuya gave Nohara, the team leader, a look, and the latter immediately understood, distributing a prepared document to Jun Murai and his team.

"Professor, these are three initial application software concepts we have."

Jun Murai took the documents, adjusted his glasses, and began to read them carefully.

The meeting room was so quiet that only the sound of papers turning could be heard.

"BBS, email, instant messaging—" Jun Murai put down the documents and tapped lightly on them with his finger. "The ideas are excellent, especially the latter two, which can indeed solve the urgent problems of multinational corporations. However, what I'm more curious about is, as a commercial company, how does Sega plan for the future of these software programs?"

This is the core issue today.

Takuya smiled and leaned forward slightly, "Professor Murai, you're too kind. Actually, our initial idea was very simple: to find a tool faster than a fax machine to improve internal efficiency."

His words, half-truth and half-lie, eased the tense atmosphere in the meeting room somewhat.

"However, the more we thought about it while preparing the application materials, the more we realized that this thing's potential was far greater than this." Takuya's tone shifted, and his expression became serious. "So, we came up with an even bolder plan."

All the light from everyone was focused on him.

"Of these three software programs, aside from the most basic email client, which we will sell as part of an office suite at a very low price," he paused, then dropped a bombshell, "We don't plan to operate the other two, the BBS and the instant messaging software, in Japan."

"Oh?" Jun Murai raised his eyebrows.

"We plan to establish a new internet company in the United States to independently operate these two services and make them free for all users."

"Free?!" Professor Murai was somewhat surprised.

"Yes, it's free." Takuya answered confidently, looking directly into Jun Murai Jun's all-seeing eyes, and slowly revealed his true intentions.

"Professor, you and the experts at WIDE are the founders of Japan's Information Superhighway. You built the most basic protocols and hardware; you are the roads and the bridges. No one can match this achievement, and Sega couldn't have helped much."

"However, a road alone is not enough. There must be cars driving on it, scenery to see along the way, towns and villages to make it lively, for the road to have value."

"Sega's forte isn't road construction, but 'building houses' and 'hosting parties.' What we want to do is go to the United States, where the internet is most active, and use free BBS and instant messaging to build the first 'communities' and attract the first 'residents.' We need to figure out what everyone really needs on this Information Superhighway."

"We aim to uncover and realize users' ideas, transforming the internet from a tool for a select few experts and scholars into a paradise for the general public through engaging applications and services. Of course, currently in the United States, the internet is primarily confined to professional users, but that doesn't matter. As long as we connect with diverse organizations and groups, their ideas will inevitably be discussed on BBS forums, and someone will always try to turn these ideas into reality. And all of this will happen right under Sega's nose. When the time is right, we'll bring these successful experiences back to Japan."

Takuya paused for a moment, then added.

"Furthermore, the fact that these two services are free doesn't mean they can't be made profitable. After all, information and users themselves have value."

After he finished speaking, the entire conference room fell silent.

After listening to Takuya's explanation, Professor Jun Murai's eyes revealed a hint of appreciation.

He nodded, showing great approval of the young man's imaginative business ideas, and told him to go ahead and implement them, and to communicate any new ideas he might have at any time.

Director Yoshikawa secretly breathed a sigh of relief; he had finally managed to deal with this formidable figure.

Unexpectedly, Nakayama Takuya seemed completely oblivious to Director Yoshikawa's gesturing and immediately seized the opportunity to climb up the ladder.

"Professor, speaking of new ideas, I actually have one that I'd like you and the experts at WIDE to consider."

Jun Murai raised his eyebrows with interest, signaling him to continue.

All eyes in the conference room were once again focused on Nakayama Takuya.

"I believe Japan should begin preparations to establish a completely new commercial entity—the Internet Service Provider, or ISP."

ISP?

This was a completely new term, and apart from a few experts from the WIDE Project, the executives present, including Director Yoshikawa, were all completely baffled.

Jun Murai's reaction wasn't particularly strong; he merely adjusted his glasses, his gaze behind the lenses sharpening as he cut to the chase. "The reason."

"The reason is simple: once the road is repaired, there needs to be a tollbooth for people to use it," Takuya said, shrugging and using the simplest analogy.

"Thanks to Sega, Sega will soon be able to access the academic network. However, this process requires special approval from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and the approval of someone like you. The threshold is too high. Just because Sega can do it doesn't mean other companies can, let alone ordinary families in the future."

He paused, then his tone became more earnest. "The email client we are about to develop will be the first touchstone."

The software was developed quickly, and once completed, Sega would immediately select a department between its Japan headquarters and its United States branch that had high requirements for communication records but whose business transactions were not the most urgent, to try out the new office model.

"At that time, we will arrange for colleagues from the Marketing Department and the computer Software Development Department to form a special observation team to track and record the entire process. The data we need is not just how many seconds faster the file transfer was, but how much the efficiency of the entire workflow has improved, how much the communication costs have been reduced, and how much this complete electronic record helps with project review and accountability."

Takuya finished speaking, he looked at Jun Murai, his eyes gleaming.

"Professor, I believe that once this data report is released, more multi-branch companies will be willing to embrace the Internet. At that time, a large number of companies will need to apply for Internet access. But the question is, who will provide access services for them? Will every company have to report to the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and bother you?"

These words caused Jun Murai to fall into deep thought.

The WIDE Project Team members behind him had already begun to talk in hushed tones.

Director Yoshikawa was secretly alarmed upon hearing this.

He hadn't really understood the internet before, but now he realizes that Nakayama Takuya is using Sega as leverage to try and create a completely new industry!

"Therefore," Takuya concluded, "We need professional ISP operators. They will be responsible for connecting you and the Wide Area Network."

The main roads are laid out, extending into countless capillaries, connecting to every office building and even every future family.

Only in this way can the "Information Superhighway" you have built truly change this country.

After he finished speaking, the conference room fell silent.

Jun Murai tapped his knuckles lightly on the table. After a long while, he spoke slowly, his voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible excitement.

When will Sega start that internal testing you mentioned?

Nakayama Takuya did not answer, but instead turned his gaze to Nohara, the head of the Computer Software Development Team.

All eyes in the conference room instantly turned to him, and Team Leader Nohara felt his back tense up.

He took a deep breath, stood up, and clutched a development plan he knew by heart.

"Professor Murai," he bowed respectfully before speaking, "Our team has conducted a preliminary technical assessment regarding the development of the email client. The core functionality mainly involves email message parsing, tag conversion, and user interface design. We have the necessary technical expertise in these areas; they are not complex."

He paused, his tone revealing the confidence characteristic of a technical professional. "If resources are available, we expect to complete the development of the core functionality within two to three weeks. Then we'll spend another week on internal testing and bug fixing. Therefore, we are confident that we can deliver a stable and reliable trial version within a month."

His words were clear and logical, neither arrogant nor humble, which earned him a silent nod of approval from Director Yoshikawa standing nearby.

Professor Jun Murai listened without any particular reaction, only tapping his knuckles lightly on the table as if he were thinking.

He didn't look at Nohara, but instead turned his gaze to Nakayama Takuya: "A month? Sounds good. Once your software is developed, send me a few copies; my lab wants to try it out too."

Upon hearing this, Director Yoshikawa finally felt relieved.

"No problem!" Nakayama Takuya agreed readily, even adding, "Professor, as soon as the software is completed, I'll immediately send someone to deliver a copy to every expert in the WIDE Project Team."

Director Yoshikawa nearly choked. This kid, give him a pole and he'll really try to climb up!

To everyone's surprise, Professor Jun Murai did not feel offended after listening; instead, he seriously considered the matter and nodded after a moment.

"Sure." He adjusted his glasses, a hint of amusement creeping into his eyes behind the lenses. "I'm really looking forward to seeing what kind of 'houses' Sega build."

He stood up and extended his hand to Nakayama Takuya: "Keep in touch."

This action stunned all the Sega executives present.

Director Yoshikawa only breathed a long sigh of relief after Jun Murai entourage were respectfully escorted into their car and disappeared down the street.

He turned around, looking at the relaxed-looking Nakayama Takuya, his expression as complex as a palette of colors, half fear and half amazement. "You kid—I have a heart condition, next time you stir up a hornet's nest like this, could you at least give me a heads-up?"

Nakayama Takuya grinned, revealing a set of white teeth. "Well, I didn't manage to poke it, but I did manage to get some honey along the way."

"Honey?" Director Yoshikawa rolled his eyes at him, but couldn't help but smile. "Well done!"