Chapter 718: 703 Promotion! Promotion! The Japanese are getting anxious!

The employees of the Umbrella Corporation have extremely high loyalty and very strong organizational capabilities.

It only took 10 days to get everything ready!

March 13th, time to officially stir up some trouble!

……

……

San Francisco, Union Square.

The spring breeze of March is blowing, comfortable and pleasant.

Today, as always, this place is bustling with people, heavy traffic, and is exceptionally lively.

In the square, street performers are putting their all into their acts, drawing a group of children to gather around, laughing and watching;

Not far away, a street musician is playing the violin, the melodious music drifting through the air.

However, a special "exhibition" instantly shattered the original peaceful atmosphere here, attracting the gaze of a large number of citizens.

In an open space in the square, a group of actors could be seen dressed in tattered, patch-filled Republican-era clothing, their garments stained with large patches of simulated blood, looking shocking.

Their faces were smeared with realistic blood, their expressions sorrowful, their eyes filled with pain and despair. Some of them held display boards with eye-catching text written on them, such as "300,000 Souls Are Crying" and "The Covered-Up Oriental Massacre."

And opposite them, several actors playing Japanese soldiers were dressed in invading Japanese military uniforms, wearing leather boots, with military swords at their waists, their faces ferocious.

One "Japanese soldier," while brandishing his military sword, laughed wildly and shouted in English/Japanese:

"Killing people is just like killing chickens, there's no difference!"

Another "Japanese soldier" raised his gun, making a sweeping motion toward the "civilians," shouting:

"Die, all of you!"

Yet another "Japanese soldier" pulled at a "woman," saying viciously: "Flower girl, you belong to me today!"

"Scream! Scream until your throat breaks, no one will come to save you!"

Passing citizens stopped in their tracks one after another, shocked by the scene before them.

Some people took out cameras to start taking photos and recording videos, their expressions serious and grave.

Among the crowd, sighs and angry whispers could be heard from time to time.

At this moment,

The organizer of the exhibition, in clear English, repeatedly told the surrounding citizens about this period of history:

"This is a history of an Oriental massacre……"

"In 1937, Japan launched a full-scale war of aggression against China. On December 13th, Nanjing fell."

"After the Japanese army entered the city, they launched a massacre that lasted for six weeks, organized, planned, and premeditated. They used machine gun strafing, mass live burials, sword hacking, burning, and other extremely cruel means to slaughter soldiers and civilians……"

"According to statistics, the total number of victims of the Nanjing Massacre exceeded 300,000……"

With each retelling,

The surrounding citizens all had their expressions change drastically.

Looking again at the evil deeds of those 'Japanese soldiers' in the exhibition, they felt even more nauseated……

As time passed, more and more onlookers gathered, surrounding this area until it was impenetrable, all feeling the tragic encounter of the citizens of that Oriental nation back then, as well as the cruelty and detestability of the Japanese army.

And a reporter from KTVU television station was setting up a camera, aiming the lens at this heart-shaking exhibition.

While adjusting the shooting angle, the reporter instructed the assistant beside them: "Shoot more footage of the citizens' reactions."

After about an hour or so,

The citizens had changed batch after batch.

Just at this moment,

"Baka yaro!"

Several sharp curses suddenly came from outside the crowd.

Several Japanese men dressed in suits and leather shoes rushed in. The middle-aged man leading them had a flushed face, blue veins bulging on his forehead, and he roared while waving his fists:

"This is slander! Pure lies!"

He snatched a display board from the hands of a "victim" and threw it to the ground with a "crash," the board instantly shattering into pieces.

"There was no massacre at all! This is malicious smearing!"

Another young Japanese man wearing glasses followed, shouting. He violently shoved the actor playing the "Japanese soldier,"

"You people, what are your intentions? How could Japan possibly do such a thing!"

The surrounding citizens were startled by this sudden commotion and took a few steps back, frowning one after another.

A gray-haired Japanese old man was even more furious. He grabbed a fragment from the ground and threw it at the actor playing the "woman," while constantly roaring:

"Our Great Japanese Empire came to 'build' the Greater East Asia Co-Prosperity Sphere, how could we be killing people? You are making false accusations!"

The scene fell into chaos,

Someone in the crowd shouted loudly:

"Stop!"

Others took out their phones to call the police.

And those few Japanese people remained relentless. They pulled at the display boards, trying to tear the text on them to shreds, and even wanted to beat the organizers.

"Stop this farce immediately! You are distorting the facts!"

While they frantically destroyed things, they screamed hysterically, the ferocity on their faces no different from the actors playing the "Japanese soldiers" earlier.

The KTVU reporter was excited now.

Originally, it was just a small news story……

Good heavens, now that these Japanese people have arrived, it has instantly become big news.

"Shoot! Shoot!"

"Don't miss the shot!"

"Fuck! Not enough cameras!"

The reporter and cameraman were both happy and crying.

A full 4 minutes passed before the police near Union Square arrived at the scene.

But by this time, the scene was already in a mess.

Both sides were fighting and cursing each other.

The police arrived and began to quickly arrest both sides.

Not far away, Director Guan Zu, Gong Wei, and Tian Tian Yangsheng watched this scene and clapped.

"Good!"

"Ah Situ Jie's arrangement is not bad, it really drew out the little Japanese!"

Now that there's a conflict, the matter has blown up!

Director Guan Zu made a phone call to Brother Leopard: "Next, proceed according to the plan…… let Li Situ Jie enter the scene, and then contact the major television stations and media……"

……

……

A few kilometers away, Japantown.

Sunlight shone through the mottled leaves onto the clean and tidy streets.

A traditional Japanese-style courtyard was hidden in this area full of Japanese-style charm. Inside the courtyard, cherry blossom trees swayed with the wind.

February and March are the time when Sakura cherry blossoms bloom. When the wind blows, the petals drift down like snow.

Deep in the courtyard, in a tea room on the tatami mats, an old man dressed in a traditional kimono sat upright.

This old man is named Sato Kenjiro, and he can be called a godfather-level figure in San Francisco's Japantown. He is not only the chairman of the Japantown Chamber of Commerce, but also an influential Asian representative within the Democratic Party. He can often make his voice heard in high-level Democratic Party meetings and has deep connections and extremely high prestige in both the political and business circles of San Francisco.

At this moment, besides Sato Kenjiro, there was also a political relative from Japan, Takaichi Sanae.

Takaichi Sanae is a rising star in Japanese politics.

In the future, she will become an ultra-right-wing political creature, eventually reaching the position of Minister of Internal Affairs and Communications.

Sato Kenjiro steadily picked up the tea kettle with both hands and slowly poured hot water into the teapot, his movements flowing like water, fully displaying the elegance and solemnity of the tea ceremony.

"Ms. Takaichi, you came to the United States this time to continue following in the footsteps of your predecessors and strengthen Japan's international influence."

"Yes! Senior Sato, although Japan's economy has experienced some setbacks, our pursuit of international political status on the international stage cannot stop."

Takaichi Sanae's language was passionate.

In the late 1980s, the Cold War between the US and the Soviet Union entered its final stage. To reduce its own burden, the United States began to encourage Japan to assume more responsibilities in international affairs (such as "sharing security costs" and "participating in international peacekeeping").

In 1983, Japan proposed a "post-war political total settlement," clearly stating that Japan wanted to "strengthen Japan's right to speak in world politics," a proposition that received a certain degree of acquiescence from the United States.

From then on,

Japan's pace in pursuing "world political status" accelerated rapidly.

Subsequently, it even promoted the revision of textbooks, visits to the Yasukuni Shrine, and other behaviors, all to lay an ideological foundation for the goal of becoming a "political power," attempting to reshape national identity.

And the public, driven by this trend of thought, gradually believed that Japan should exert greater influence in international affairs based on its economic strength, especially in "soft fields" such as environmental protection and aid, to establish an international image.

Subsequently, in 1989, Japan launched a "gold diplomacy" policy, with foreign aid amounting to 11 billion US dollars, surpassing the United States to become the world's largest aid donor, focusing on providing economic aid to Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and other regions in exchange for political support.

It was also in this year that Japan formally proposed the demand to "enter the permanent council," using its economic advantages to win over African and Latin American countries for support, and formed a "permanent council alliance" with Germany (West Germany).

In 1989, the Japanese Foreign Minister clearly stated at the United Nations General Assembly: "As the world's second-largest economy, Japan should play a greater role in the Security Council."

During the Gulf War in 1991, although Japan did not send troops, it provided 13 billion US dollars in financial support;

In 1992, it passed the "PKO Cooperation Law," sending Self-Defense Forces overseas for the first time to participate in peacekeeping in Cambodia (responsible for logistical support), breaking the constitutional taboo of "not being able to send troops overseas."

At the 1993 APEC Seattle meeting, Japan promoted the "Asia-Pacific Free Trade Area."

Today, in the 1990s, although Japan's economic growth has slowed, it is still the world's second-largest economy and a technological powerhouse.

And the GDP growth rate still exceeded 10+%.

This also caused Japan's ambition to gradually inflate.

"On November 19th of this year, we will host the APEC Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation meeting domestically. This is our new round of opportunities."

"In addition, we are going all out to promote the country's acquisition of a permanent seat on the Security Council."

"Currently, we have united with Germany, India, and Brazil to form the 'Group of Four,' and are preparing to jointly propose at the 1997 Security Council General Assembly that 6 seats be added to the permanent members and 4 seats be added to the non-permanent members……"

Takaichi Sanae's expression was solemn: "I came this time hoping that Senior Sato could use his influence in the United States to promote these matters, expand influence, and let more people recognize Japan's positive role in the world."

Sato Kenjiro nodded slightly, poured the brewed tea into exquisite tea bowls, handed them to Takaichi Sanae, then picked up his own bowl, took a light sip, and said:

"Don't worry!"

"The will of the country is my will!"

"We in Japan have a glorious past and will surely have an even more glorious future. On the international political stage, I will do my best to promote it so that Japan's voice can be clearly heard by the whole world and become a true political power."

Takaichi Sanae, upon hearing this, held the tea bowl to the height of her chest:

"Senior Sato's commitment is exactly the strength Japan needs most on its path to becoming a major power."

She bowed her head in salute, the golden camellia hair ornament tucked in her hair swaying gently with the movement,

"With you bridging the gap in the US political and business circles, whether it's public opinion for the APEC meeting or lobbying for Security Council reform, it will surely be twice the result with half the effort. Japan's future glory cannot be separated from your help today, Senior."

Having said that, she tilted her head and drank the tea.

Just when the two were feeling excited……

"Tap tap tap tap~~~~~"

A burst of hurried wooden clog sounds approached rapidly.

"Mr. Sato, something big has happened over at Union Square!"

Sato Kenjiro's female secretary knelt down, her face serious, and quickly reported the course of events.

"Bang~~~~"

"What?!"

The tea bowl in Sato Kenjiro's hand "banged" onto the tatami mat, the scalding tea splashing out, staining the quaint rush mat with dark water marks.

Takaichi Sanae was also startled and stood up abruptly, her carefully drawn eyebrows almost twisted into a ball, her voice carrying suppressed trembling,

"We cannot let this matter spread!"

"This will ruin all our efforts in APEC and Security Council reform……"

———————————— ===== CHAPTER 719 =====