Old Shareholders' Support

Yoshikawa paused, then went on, "Kazuo Hirai has been knocking around the United States for so many years that his English is even smoother than his Japanese. He can chat with those university administrators without the slightest barrier. But me? A dignified Sega director, sitting in a state legislator's office, having to wait for the interpreter to translate my words first, then wait for the other side to answer back, all while smiling along in between.

"By the time one meeting is over, the corners of my mouth are sore."

Nakayama Takuya couldn't hold it in and laughed out loud.

Yoshikawa glared at him, though he ended up laughing too.

"Back to business." Yoshikawa reined in his expression and pushed the documents on the table over. "After making this trip, one problem became very obvious. Sega's business scale in North America is getting bigger and bigger, but the public relations line has always been something I've been handling on the side. Tom is the CEO. His energy has to be focused on business decisions. It's impossible for him to go eating with politicians and shaking hands every day. Sega of America needs a dedicated public relations director, someone responsible specifically for government relations and public affairs. Bernard's connections are more in Hollywood, and in other places he inevitably can't do everything. I've already brought this up with Tom, and he agrees."

Nakayama Takuya flipped through the stack of documents. Inside were several visit records and cooperation memoranda, neatly formatted and prepared with great care.

"No problem. That position really should be filled." He placed the documents back on the table. "Do you have a direction for candidates?"

"Tom is looking, and I'll help keep an eye out on my end too." Yoshikawa picked up his teacup and took another sip.