Report

Nakayama Takuya arranged to meet Section Eikura at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry the next day.

The next day, Nakayama Takuya, carrying a box of floppy disks, stepped into the gray building of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry located in Kasumigaseki.

In the meeting room, Section Chief Eikura arrived five minutes late, with a perfunctory apology on his face.

"Special Secretary Nakayama, I apologize, but there's an impromptu meeting in a bit. Let's get straight to the point." After sitting down, he went straight to the point without any pleasantries.

"Of course." Nakayama Takuya didn't seem to mind. He pushed a beautifully bound report over. "Eikura Chief Eikura, this is a detailed report on our Sega email client's internal trial run after a week. We wanted to report the progress to you."

Section Chief Eikura nodded, took the book, and opened it.

His eyes scanned the documents quickly, clearly indicating he was used to reading this type of file.

"A 320% increase in workflow efficiency?" Section Chief Eikura's finger stopped on this exaggerated number. He looked up, his gaze scrutinizing him. "Executive Director Nakayama, this is the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Isn't this number a bit...?"

Artistic embellishment?

Faced with the doubts, Nakayama Takuya's expression remained unchanged; instead, he smiled.

"Section Chief Eikura, please take note. This figure is the most conservative estimate we, the logistics team, compiled ourselves based on the working hours before and after the work sessions. The report includes a detailed comparison of the original work logs, accurate to the minute."

He paused, then changed the subject, leaning forward slightly, "Of course, we all know that this achievement is inseparable from the far-sighted policy support of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, and even more so from Eikura Chief Eikura's efforts to withstand the pressure and approve that crucial document for us. Without your approval, we wouldn't have achieved this 320% today."

This compliment was delivered perfectly, both confirming the accuracy of the data and ensuring the credit went smoothly to the recipient.

Section Chief Eikura's expression softened slightly. He didn't reply, but continued reading and, sure enough, saw the long work log.

When he saw the report specifically mentioning that "Professor Jun Murai and his WIDE Project Team visited the site and gave it high praise" and "Professor Yonezawa from Tokyo Institute of Technology provided valuable technical guidance throughout the process," his breath visibly paused.

Academic luminaries and technological authorities—these people are now all mentioned in the same report as this project supported by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

This is more than just the success of one company.

Section Chief Eikura slowly closed the report, leaned back on the sofa, and remained silent for a moment.

He looked at Nakayama Takuya, and the scrutiny in his eyes had turned into genuine contemplation.

"A remarkable achievement," he said slowly, his tone becoming much more serious, "A report of extremely high value."

"This was all accomplished under your guidance," Nakayama Takuya said modestly again, then pushed the inconspicuous cardboard box next to him forward.

"Section Chief, the numbers in the report are ultimately cold and impersonal. We hope that you and your colleagues at the Ministry of International Trade and Industry can personally experience this 'achievement' that was made possible with the support of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry and you."

Eikura Chief Eikura glanced down at the cardboard box, which was printed with the words "SEGAE-MAILCLIENT" and the Sega logo.

He suddenly smiled, a genuine smile tinged with appreciation.

"You young man, you're quite interesting." He pointed at Nakayama Takuya, "Even your gift-giving is done with such a high-sounding air."

Even so, he called out towards the door, "Kyojo- kun, come in and take this 'work result' to my office."

A young employee immediately came in and deftly carried the box away.

Eikura Chief Eikura stood up and personally escorted Nakayama Takuya to the door, which was already an unusual treatment.

"We've witnessed Sega's pioneering spirit. Go back and tell your higher-ups to keep it up, to be bold." He patted Nakayama Takuya on the shoulder and lowered his voice, "I'll personally deliver this report to the director. Also—"

He stopped, seemingly considering his words.

"Mr. Nakayama, have you considered that besides businesses, what other areas urgently need to improve the efficiency of document processing and communication?"

Nakayama Takuya's heart skipped a beat, and he immediately understood the deeper meaning behind the other person's words.

What does the section chief mean?

Section Chief Eikura didn't say anything explicitly, but he glanced meaningfully at the sign at the end of the corridor that read "Ministry of International Trade and Industry," and then smiled.

"You are a smart company; you should know where the opportunities lie."

"Thank you for your Eikura!" Takuya bowed to him, watching him disappear through the gates of the Ministry of International Trade and Industry.

Back at Sega Headquarters, Nakayama Takuya bother to drink a sip of water before knocking on the door of Director Yoshikawa's office.

"Come in."

Pushing open the heavy wooden door, a rich aroma of cigars mixed with old-fashioned woody scents wafted out.

Director Yoshikawa was sitting behind his large desk, holding a half-smoked cigar in his hand.

"Oh, it's Takuya. You look so rushed. Did you get things done?"

Takuya walked quickly to the table, put his briefcase aside, and couldn't hide his excitement. "Director Yoshikawa, a resounding victory!"

He didn't embellish the story; he simply recounted his meeting with Section Chief Eikura in detail.

Director Yoshikawa listened quietly, his fingers tapping rhythmically on the table.

When Takuya mentioned Eikura Section Chief Eikura personally escorted him to the door, Director Yoshikawa stopped tapping his fingers on the table.

"He personally escorted you to the door?"

"Yes." Takuya nodded, then revealed his biggest takeaway of the day, "Before leaving, Section Chief Eikura asked me, besides the company, what other areas urgently need to improve efficiency?"

Director Yoshikawa raised an eyebrow slightly.

"I didn't dare to reply at the time," Takuya continued, "Then, he glanced at the sign at the end of the corridor that read ' Ministry of International Trade and Industry,' smiled, and said that we are a smart company and should know where the opportunities are."

A brief silence fell over the office, broken only by the slow rise of cigar smoke.

Suddenly, Director Yoshikawa laughed, not the kind of perfunctory social smile, but a heartfelt laugh, tinged with a hint of delight.

He stubbed out his cigar in the ashtray, leaned forward, and a glint of ambition shone in his eyes, which had witnessed the ups and downs of the business world.

"Haha, well done! You've planted a flag right in their headquarters!"

He stood up, walked to the liquor cabinet, poured two glasses of whiskey, and handed one to Takuya.

"This Eikura is a clever man, and a shrewd one at that. He's telling us that he's very satisfied with the Ministry of International Trade and Industry) as a testing ground. Now, he wants to see if we have the courage to sow the seeds throughout the entire bureaucratic system."

Nakayama Takuya accepted the glass, his heart pounding. He had initially only seen a hint, but Director Yoshikawa had instantly sketched out a grand blueprint for the future.

Director Yoshikawa took a sip of his drink, his eyes sharpening. "Just giving things away is small-scale. Takuya, this can't be treated as a simple sales pitch."

What do you mean?

"The Ministry of International Trade and Industry's report is our best stepping stone." Director Yoshikawa paced back and forth in the room, his thoughts becoming increasingly clear. "The Ministry of Finance, which manages the purse strings, how many documents does it approve every day? The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which deals with the whole world, how outdated are its telegraph and fax systems? And then there's the Prime Minister's Office."

When he uttered the last two words, his voice was very low, but each word struck Takuya's heart like a heavy hammer.

"I'll arrange it. Find a few councilors who have a good relationship with us and have them 'casually' mention it on appropriate occasions. And you, don't just sit idly by." Director Yoshikawa turned around and looked at Takuya.

"Prepare a more concise, yet impactful report. Forget about technology; focus on efficiency, results, and that '320%' report from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry. Then, take our 'achievements' and visit those old friends in other ministries and agencies who are at the same level as Section Chief Eikura."

A sly smile crept across Director Yoshikawa's face.

"I'll take care of the rest."