Exchange

Terauchi agreed with that view.

People in the Japanese semiconductor industry had long since seen the signs of its decline.

"As for storage media." Nakayama Takuya continued pressing forward. "Flash memory prices are absurdly high right now."

"SanDisk has always been a technological pioneer, and they take a high-premium route, with no advantage at all in cost. On top of that, they're a pure American company. Even if Sega throws money in, we won't get into the core decision-making circle. Toshiba has the best cost control, but that's the zaibatsu's private preserve. We can't even knock on the door."

"So?"

"We can only wait." Nakayama Takuya spread his hands. "See whether any suitable new technology emerges in the market that lets us position ourselves ahead of time. At this stage, the mask ROM technology used in cartridges is mature enough, and the cost is low. It can still hold for a few more years. This can't be rushed."

The office fell quiet.

A faint whooshing came from the air-conditioning vent.

Terauchi picked up his teacup and finished the tea that had already gone slightly cool.

The business-level discussion was over.

It was time to talk about the distribution of power.

"Taking ten thousand steps back, even if we successfully buy a stake in TSMC." Terauchi looked at Nakayama Takuya and threw out the core question. "Who will represent Sega and sit on TSMC's board of directors?"

When the map was unrolled to the end, the dagger was finally revealed; the map of Yan had at last been spread all the way open.

To win over a director who held real power, painting big cakes was useless. He had to offer solid, tangible benefits.

"Of course, you." Nakayama Takuya answered without the slightest hesitation.

He began listing his reasons. "You've cultivated