Nakayama Takuya and Section Chief Matsumoto were soon led into the MITI reception room.
Before long, the door opened. A slightly stout middle-aged man with a meticulously combed 7:3 side-part hairstyle walked in — Section Chief Eikura of the Information Processing Promotion Division.
His gaze swept over the two men. Wearing a perfectly professional bureaucratic smile, he sat down.
"Section Chief Eikura, it's an honor to meet you."
Matsumoto immediately stood, bowed at a flawless ninety-degree angle, and offered his business card.
Nakayama also rose, bowed slightly, and presented his card with both hands.
"I'm Nakayama Takuya from Sega. Forgive the sudden visit — I look forward to your guidance."
Eikura accepted the cards. His brow twitched almost imperceptibly when he saw the title "Executive of Operations," but the moment he noticed the surname Nakayama, his eyes gained a subtle, knowing glint.
After all, within MITI, having a working understanding of an electronics giant like Sega was simply standard competence. He nodded and gestured for them to sit.
"Professor Mizawa has already spoken to me," Eikura said directly. "I hear Sega has run into some technical bottlenecks in communication efficiency for your multinational operations?"
"Yes."
Matsumoto took the lead — he was the nominal point man for today.
He respectfully presented the document titled "Preliminary Concept for Constructing Japan's Electronic Information Industry 'High-Speed Highway.'"
At first, Eikura flipped through the pages casually —
but when words such as "high-speed highway," "strategic high ground," and "foundation for national digital governance" leapt into view, the pace of his page-turning slowed noticeably.
The room fell into silence, broken only by the rustling of paper.
Cold sweat beaded on Matsumoto's forehead. He had read this proposal at least ten times last night, and each time it left him equally shaken.
Though phrased as mere "suggestions," the proposal's level of detail made it look less like something submitted to MITI —
and more like an internal directive from MITI to frontline staff.
Finally, Eikura set the document down. He clasped his hands on the desk and fixed his gaze on Nakayama.
"Executive Nakayama, this concept is bold — and visionary. However, opening an academic network to private enterprises has no precedent in Japan. Technical security, resource allocation, administrative authority… these are issues that cannot be avoided."
There it is.
Nakayama knew this tone well — a bureaucrat's standard probing.
He leaned forward slightly, wearing a sincere, earnest smile.
"Section Chief Eikura, you are absolutely right. And precisely because these are difficult challenges, we need a forward-thinking institution like MITI to lead the industry in tackling them. Sega is willing to act as the testing ground — to clear a path for Japan's future information-industry policy."
He continued, voice firm yet respectful.
"The proposal also references the AT&T case in the U.S. Of course, Japan is not America. MITI will naturally adjust the approach based on Japan's unique national conditions."
He paused, then added with even greater sincerity:
"As for technology and funding — Sega is willing to shoulder all early-stage costs and risks. And all technical results and practical experience will be shared with other domestic enterprises under MITI's guidance. We want to contribute to strengthening Japan's global industrial competitiveness."
Matsumoto sat beside him, eyelids twitching wildly.
Meanwhile, Section Chief Eikura tapped lightly on the table, sinking into thought.
No money needed.
No policies requested.
They volunteer as the guinea pig.
If it succeeds, MITI gets the credit.
If it fails, the blame is Sega's.
What kind of miracle deal is this?
He couldn't help thinking:
As expected of Nakayama Hayao's son. The scale. The finesse…
"Of course," Nakayama continued, suddenly showing just a trace of youthful modesty, "we are still just a company, after all. Our capabilities are limited. As for planning and implementation, we will need guidance from you and MITI's experts. Sega will strictly follow your instructions and make this a model project that stands the test of time."
In one speech, he had:
Painted the big picture.
Offered the ladder.
Placed the authority — and future credit — squarely in Eikura's hands.
Matsumoto was practically stunned.
He finally understood what Nakayama meant yesterday in the car when he said,
"We're going to deliver him a monumental achievement."
The stern expression on Eikura's face finally cracked.
He picked up the proposal again, almost like admiring a rare treasure.
"Excellent! Wonderfully said!"
He slapped the desk, suddenly energized.
"Executive Nakayama, having a young man like you is a blessing for Japan's industrial world! This is no longer just Sega's project — this is the solemn responsibility of MITI's Information Processing Promotion Division!"
He stood and grasped Nakayama's hand enthusiastically.
"I'll take this proposal. I will personally assemble a team of experts for evaluation and report upward myself. Go back and wait for good news! We must build this information highway into a road leading Japan into the future!"
Moments ago a businesslike bureaucrat —
now he treated Sega as if it were an elite task force under his command,
and the proposal as the brightest jewel on his résumé.
He escorted them all the way to the elevator, waving with genuine warmth.
—
Back at Sega, Takuya immediately asked his assistant to notify Software Development Group Chief Nohara and Hardware Development Department Manager Nakamura for a meeting the next morning.
The next day, in Takuya's office, he had just finished signing several documents faxed from the U.S. headquarters when the two department heads arrived one after the other.
"Have a seat."
Takuya set down his pen.
"Last year was busy with my wedding, so I haven't followed up on later developments. I heard something from the North America side — is our home learning & office kit selling decently?"
He asked casually, as though it were nothing important.
"'Decently' doesn't even begin to describe it, Executive Nakayama!"
Group Chief Nohara practically jumped off the sofa. He opened his briefcase and handed over a report with both hands.
"Executive, please take a look! As of last month, our Home Study Machine kit has exceeded five million units sold worldwide!"
Five million.
Nohara's eyes shone with excitement.
"Especially in the U.S. market — sales are phenomenal! According to Tom Kalinske's report, this thing has practically become the key to cracking open middle-class households! Those parents who only knew Mario — the moment they saw the MD could connect to a keyboard and printer, their attitude changed instantly!"
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