Chapter 413: Sword of Damocles
"Bai... Shirakawa-san, are you exaggerating too much?"
After swallowing a few times, Uno Sosuke tried his best to suppress the fear in his heart, and asked back as if to comfort himself.
"Alarmist?" Baichuan Feng looked at the former Minister of International Trade and Industry with a smile.
"Mr. Yuno, the U.S. industrial sector protested to the U.S. government last year.
They believe that foreign companies are unable to enter the Japanese semiconductor market because the Japanese government has adopted unfair trade practices.”
"Absolutely impossible! The Japanese government has always advocated a free trade environment, how could it possibly block it!"
Before Shirakawa Kaede could finish, Uno Sosuke refuted him flatly, as if he was afraid that if he was a step slower, the accusation would be confirmed.
However, in response to his excitement, Baichuan Feng smiled calmly.
"You and I both know that it doesn't matter whether such accusations are true or not, what matters is that there is such a title."
Reason? It is the mercy that the strong give to the weak.
When the parties concerned are concerned about their own interests, fists are the truth.
Uno Sosuke also understood this, but as a weak person he could only protest verbally.
"Take another step back." As if feeling that his words were not impactful enough, Baichuan Feng continued to add fuel to the fire.
“Is the 1982 IBM espionage case really that simple? Without the cooperation of the US government, would IBM have become an enemy of the entire Japanese computer manufacturer?
Now even Fujitsu, which has stayed out of the matter, has been implicated. Everyone knows that it has nothing to do with the incident and was wrongly accused, but so what? "
Uno Sosuke's face changed, these words hurt him deeply.
Just at the end of last year, IBM suddenly sued Fujitsu for copyright infringement of the software system on its computers.
The reason is the same as the spy case two years ago. Implicated by this, Fujitsu has been actively mediating with IBM recently , hoping to reach a private settlement.
Lao Mi is so domineering that he can punish you by finding any name.
"Also, Mr. Uno, have you ever thought about why SIA was established?" Shirakawa Kaede continued.
"SIA, the Semiconductor Industry Association of the United States. It was originally established to fight against the penetration of Japanese semiconductors into the US market.
If I'm right, Intel and Micron have already been lobbying Congress to impose restrictions on Japanese semiconductor companies, right?"
Every word that Shirakawa Feng said struck heavily in the hearts of Uno Sosuke and others.
The Ministry of International Trade and Industry is certainly aware of these situations; they also have spies in the United States.
But now that it has been suddenly revealed by Baichuan Feng, they can no longer pretend not to know.
“Come to think of it, Japan’s DRAM chip business already accounts for nearly 40% of the global market share.
Especially the 64K chips, the chips produced in the United States have surpassed those of hosts such as Intel, Micron, and Motorola.
As you just said, chips are the core of future technology. Will the United States watch others take away such authority from it? "
Shirakawa Feng turned around and looked directly at them, "Uno-san, trade frictions between Japan and the United States have always existed.
From textiles in the 1950s to automobiles today, the two sides have been competing with each other for decades, and we should be well aware of this.
Judging from their actions, the sword of Damocles has been raised, and the next target will be semiconductors!"
Swish, Uno Sosuke couldn't help but stand up, took two quick steps and came in front of Shirakawa Kaede.
"Shirakawa-san, have you heard any news?"
"The news is everywhere." Baichuan Feng spread his hands and told him the fact directly.
"As long as Yuno goes to North America, he will know that the Silicon Valley does not have a very good impression of neon."
News? What more news do you need? If we review the trade relations between Japan and the United States over the past few decades, the truth will be revealed.
Uno Sosuke looked at Shirakawa Kaede, then turned to look at Shanshan Kazuo beside him, with a lonely expression.
"Shanshan-san, let's go."
Shanshan Henan had a complicated expression. How could he not understand what Baichuan Feng had just said?
Not to mention restarting the VLSI Research Institute and continuing to make inroads in the field of processor chips.
According to the analysis of the situation just now, it is very likely that Japan's DRAM chips will soon be targeted.
"Sorry for disturbing you today. If you are interested, Mr. Shirakawa, you can visit the Ministry of International Trade and Industry more often in the future."
Baichuan Feng's expression changed, and then he nodded in agreement.
After both parties bowed, the two people from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry said goodbye and left.
Baichuan Feng knew why they were in such a hurry to go back. It was nothing more than a thorough analysis of the trade relationship between Japan and the United States over the past few decades.
If the final result of the deduction is indeed not good, then it is possible that the Ministry of International Trade and Industry will also make some preparations.
But... Baichuan Feng shook his head. It was too late.
Not to mention whether they can convince those officials with complex factions, Japanese companies, which are becoming increasingly dazzling on the world semiconductor stage, will not believe this so easily.
And if my guess is correct, North America should already be formulating relevant sanctions regulations.
The United States will not let you go easily just because you show the slightest sign of submission .
But at least for SIC now, it no longer has to worry about so-called technology sharing in the future.
"The authorized SIC in North America should be as open as possible. In addition, all chips for overseas markets should be entrusted to foundry production in North America."
"Yes!" Nakajima Heitaro, with an extremely serious expression, nodded solemnly and agreed.
Although he didn't have to worry about SIC for the time being, the visit from the Ministry of International Trade and Industry still made Shirakawa Feng feel a sense of urgency.
In the blink of an eye, 84 years have passed. The golden age of manufacturing is about to pass, but the golden age of the entire nation is about to come.
…
In April, Shirakawa Kaede was in a cafe in Ginza, slowly enjoying the street view outside the window.
A pair of fashionably dressed girls at the next table were looking over here from time to time, while lowering their heads and whispering to each other.
Baichuan Feng knew what they were discussing, and he had recently gotten used to such looks.
It was nothing more than recognizing me and then whispering about my wealth.
Yes, Shirakawa Kaede is now also considered a celebrity in Japan.
At the end of March and the beginning of April, with the disclosure of Shirakawa Electric's new year financial report, he was once again pushed to the forefront.
This time, the media not only focused on Shirakawa Electric, but also paid special attention to its largest shareholder, Shirakawa Holdings.
As the name suggests, this company definitely has a great relationship with Shirakawa Kaede.
This is indeed the case. Shirakawa Kaede is behind Shirakawa Holdings.
Since it is customary not to report on private life, there should be no problem in writing about the business landscape.
Therefore, with the involvement of many media, Baichuan Holdings was thoroughly exposed.
From the most eye-catching Shirakawa Electric to the inconspicuous and inconspicuous Guide Corporation.
After taking inventory, people discovered that Shirakawa Holdings had as many as ten subsidiaries.
Including affiliated companies such as Bic Camera, Tokuma Shoten, Hudson Software, and Capcom, Shirakawa Holdings has fourteen companies under it.
There are fourteen companies, among which Shirakawa Electric, SIC, HAL, and Kitato Bank are already quite familiar to everyone.
They form a whole so large that even many media outlets were shocked.
So everyone simply referred to the capital behind Shirakawa Holdings as "Shirakawa Zaibatsu".
As its founder, Shirakawa Kaede has naturally been the subject of much discussion recently.
Everyone is guessing how much he is worth now.
Because Shirakawa Electric is the only listed company, although people have heard of other companies, they do not know their specific value.
At this time, so-called experts from all walks of life came on the show and began to talk about the companies under Shirakawa Holdings.
In short, the final conclusion is that the wealth that Baichuan Feng can accumulate personally is at least over 10 billion US dollars.
After all, the market value of Shirakawa Electric is 16 billion US dollars, and Shirakawa Holdings accounts for half of it, which is 8 billion US dollars.
If you add a little more of other companies like SIC and Kitato Bank, the total amount would be more than 2 billion US dollars.
The public may not pay attention to other things, but the words "10 billion US dollars" are really eye-catching.
With so much wealth, it is enough to rank among the 100 richest people in the world.
Therefore, when Shirakawa Kaede appeared, it was hard for the girls in Ginza who recognized him not to pay attention.
But soon the girls had to look away, because several staff members who looked difficult to deal with had quietly stood in front of them.
"Ota, you've been working hard lately."
"Thank you for fulfilling my mission." Ota, who was wearing a black suit, nodded respectfully.
"How are the people?"
"It's just a minor skin injury."
Baichuan Feng nodded silently. It was really not easy to find this Mr. Tanimura.
Ever since he last appeared in Sega, Ota and his friends searched all over Tokyo but couldn't find him.
Finally, news came from Osaka that this guy seemed to have opened a software company in the local area.
Tsk, it seems that he also knew that he couldn't stay in Tokyo anymore, so he just stayed away.
However, this did not pose a problem for Ota and his team. After learning the news, they went to Osaka in person and brought the person back.
Finally, after a beating, he told everything.
This guy really sold all the information about Shirakawa Electric's handheld game consoles, and not just to its old rival Nintendo.
Tanimura sold the goods directly to both companies and made 6 million yen from Sega.
In the end, he fled to Osaka with a huge sum of 11 million yen, intending to never have any contact with Tokyo again.
Unfortunately, betrayal is betrayal. If he had just opened a software company, Baichuan Feng would not have killed him.
But Shirakawa Feng could not bear to sell the information of the handheld game console to competitors.
"He said he wanted to see you again?" Ota conveyed Tanimura's last request while crying.
"No thanks." Baichuan Feng put down his finished coffee and stood up calmly.
After tidying up his clothes, Baichuan Feng paused and said, "Just send it to the sewing machine."
"Hai!"
The evidence from a few months ago came in handy, and the account will be kept for the next ten or twenty years.
…
"Buzz~!" A powerful roar spread far away in the wilderness of southern Hunan.
Baichuan Feng's bangs shook violently in the rapid airflow.
Sama, who was sitting next to him, held the door handle tightly with one hand and held his seat belt tightly with the other.
It was not difficult to tell from his pale face that he must be extremely nervous at the moment.
But the culprit, Baichuan Feng, couldn't help but cheer at the bend.
The strong wind blowing in your face, the roadside scenery rapidly receding, and the engine sound vibrating your eardrums really make your adrenaline surge.
“Wow~ huh~”
With a sharp whistle, the frightened rabbit on the roadside hopped away.
When it looked back after it had gone far away, the car's taillights had become blurry.
In a wilderness along the southern coast of Shonan, this Lotus Esprit S3 is galloping freely.
As one of 007 Bond's cars, its legend among the people is self-evident.
And Baichuan Feng also bought one as his own toy. Isn't it fun to just go racing here when he has nothing to do?
Tsk, it’s more fun to race on your own turf.
At the end of the field of vision, the coastline is winding and undulating, with the beach and sea on the left and the mountains and green trees on the right.
Man and the sea, machine and nature, roar and silence, Shirakawa Kaede completely lets himself go.
After driving around twice more and finally satisfying himself, he turned the car towards his own holiday villa.
"Buzz~~" the engine sound gradually died down.
"Are you back? It's better not to do such dangerous sports in the future."
In front of the villa gate, Keiko Matsuzaka, who had gained a lot of weight, complained with some anger.
"Hai~ Hai~" Baichuan Feng said perfunctorily without any sincerity.
After throwing the car keys to Sama, he couldn't wait to start teasing the two little ones in the stroller.
It was still a boy and a girl, but the order was reversed. The girl became the older sister, and the boy became the younger brother.
Shirakawa Kaede named them Weixiang and Yokohisa.
One month after Kitami was born, Shirakawa Kaede brought them to Shonan.
As the weather warms up in May, Shonan is a perfect place for a recuperation and vacation.
It just so happens that several private runways are now ready for use, and the holiday villa has been empty for quite some time, so why not just place them here.
But speaking of May, summer is almost here.
I don't know what the progress is like with Iwata Satoshi, Akagi and others.
