Chapter 148: Unexpected Reinforcements

In Japanese society, due to differences in values, people often like to label different groups of people.

For example, the NEETs who do not pursue further education or employment, the Otaku who have deep preferences for certain things, the shut-ins who like to stay at home, and the LGBT community representing homosexuals and those with special sexual orientations.

Besides these characteristics, there are other groups that are labeled due to their fathers' occupations or minority status, such as the Burakumin.

In addition to the different ways of being labeled, the political and social status of the Burakumin often suffer from extreme discrimination.

When seeking employment, they are often rejected by large companies, and when getting married, they are often looked down upon by the other party's family.

In order to distinguish who is a descendant of the Burakumin, a publishing house even once published a book titled "Handbook on the Distribution of Burakumin Residential Areas."

But wherever there is oppression, there is resistance.

Since the Japanese Constitution guarantees the freedom of association for citizens, many Burakumin groups have formed various social organizations of different sizes based on their places of residence and occupational characteristics.

These Burakumin have even used this as a basis to begin making their voices heard in Japanese society and to fight for their political status.

And that "Handbook on the Distribution of Burakumin Residential Areas" was forcibly taken off the shelves by the authorities because of their protests.

……

Kyoto, Chongren Residents' Joint Association, conference room.

As the chairman, Nakamoto Yuma sat in his office chair, looking at the newspaper in his hand, feeling somewhat puzzled.

This newspaper was the "Adachi Shimbun" from Tokyo, which had been brought to the Chongren area by a twist of fate and was now displayed before him.

On the page of this newspaper, it read: "Akiwara Yuto Suppressed by Mantan Society for Supporting Burakumin Rights," reporter Sakaguchi Keito.

Nakamoto Yuma examined the headline carefully for a while, feeling a bit confused for a moment.

He was no stranger to the name "Akiwara Yuto," as the other party's name had frequently appeared in the headlines of newspapers during this period.

But what puzzled him was that, according to other media reports, wasn't the other party suppressed because they couldn't reach an agreement with Mantan Society? How did it get linked to the Burakumin?

Strange, it was truly strange.

He hesitated for a moment, then began to read the content of the report.

The first half of the article first talked about Akiwara Yuto's background, then mentioned that he had written a work with a Burakumin as the protagonist.

Seeing this, Nakamoto Yuma immediately became interested; works with Burakumin as protagonists were becoming increasingly rare in current Japanese society.

It seemed that this Mr. Akiwara Yuto was indeed a sympathizer or supporter of the Burakumin community.

He nodded and continued reading, but as he read on, he discovered something completely unexpected—namely, Akiwara Yuto's statements regarding the Burakumin.

When facing an interview with Sakaguchi Keito, Akiwara Yuto said.

"I set the heroine as an Ainu to express my dissatisfaction with mainstream society's discrimination against the Burakumin."

"I believe that all companies and schools should no longer hold onto their prejudices and discriminate against the Burakumin; furthermore, the government should also legislate to protect the interests of the Burakumin."

"This society should not be about the law of the jungle, but rather about protecting the weak while ensuring existing fairness!"

"This is my professional integrity as a writer, and it is also the original intention behind writing the work 'Death of a Mystery Writer'."

After finishing these sentences, Nakamoto Yuma fell into a long silence, and he had an indescribable feeling in his heart.

Over these years, how many writers and celebrities have dared to speak up for the Burakumin community?

Let alone putting forward such a series of demands to fight for the interests of the Burakumin!

For a moment, he couldn't help but feel moved!

He also believed to a certain extent that Akiwara Yuto was being suppressed because of speaking up for the Burakumin.

Out of love for the house and its crow, he couldn't help but feel hatred toward Mantan Society as well.

After all, no matter the situation, Mantan Society's suppression of Akiwara Yuto had, to some extent, affected the interests of the Burakumin community.

No, he couldn't just watch!

If Akiwara Yuto was truly being suppressed for speaking up for the Burakumin, then other celebrities would not dare to speak up for them either!

Nakamoto Yuma stood up, paced back and forth in the office, and thought about a series of plans.

After deep thought, he made a decision: to unite the power of more Burakumin groups to support Akiwara Yuto.

He picked up the receiver and dialed a number: "Hello, is this the Tokyo Association for the Promotion of Equal Rights? I am Nakamoto Yuma, chairman of the Chongren Residents' Joint Association, and I would like to visit your organization in the near future..."

……

Chiyoda Ward, Mantan Society Headquarters, Public Relations Bureau Conference Room.

As the Vice President of Mantan Society, Hika Ken sat in the main seat and asked with a serious expression: "Executive Furukawa, regarding the recent series of public relations crises, please tell us what the next steps for the Public Relations Bureau are?"

"Yes." Furukawa Kento, wearing a loose suit, stood up and signaled his subordinates to distribute the prepared documents to everyone in the conference room. Only after everyone had received the documents did he begin to speak.

"According to the summary from the Statistics Division and the Finance Division, as of now, the expenses arranged for various media outlets have exceeded 600 million yen. In addition, a large number of personnel have been arranged to directly monitor and provide feedback on public opinion."

Furukawa Kento coughed and continued: "Currently, although the proportion of negative impressions of Mantan Society among the public has risen, the impact on business is mainly in the literary journals. As for manga and other businesses, the impact is not significant."

Hika Ken frowned and tapped the table with dissatisfaction, "These have already been reported. I am asking about the next steps?"

Furukawa Kento nodded and squeezed out a smile, "The subordinate believes that it is not appropriate to make more arrangements at this time because if we continue to do public relations, the cost will be too high. Therefore, we have communicated with Akiwara Yuto himself and offered a series of conditions."

Hearing this, Hika Ken felt somewhat dissatisfied.

At the awards ceremony of the Mystery Writers Association, he could be considered to have "fled in defeat."

And the one who caused this situation was merely a "new writer," and what was even more speechless was that this writer had been cooperating with Mantan Society half a year ago.

If he were to reconcile with Akiwara Yuto, how would he vent the "anger" in his heart?

Hika Ken thought for a few seconds, lowered his voice, and asked: "Executive Furukawa, is there really no other way? Must we compromise with the other party?"

Furukawa Kento hesitated for a while, but still answered honestly: "As of now, there is no more suitable way. If we continue, the other three major publishing houses might take the opportunity to kick us while we are down."

Hika Ken frowned, gave a "humph," and asked again: "Fine, does that guy Akiwara Yuto have any requirements for the conditions we proposed?"

"The other party does not have much objection to the compensation amount, but hopes to increase the disciplinary action against Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei, though I have already rejected this point."

After a pause, Furukawa Kento replied, "After all, if we take action now, it will make some media think we have a guilty conscience."

Hika Ken touched his chin with his hand. In fact, he was also quite furious at these two people, as he had lost so much face this time, and these two had to bear no small responsibility.

Hika Ken thought for a while and then said: "Forget it, thank you for your hard work on this matter. Let's end today's meeting here."

"Yes, the subordinate understands," Furukawa Kento stood up and bowed to Hika Ken's departing back.

He had a deep understanding of his superior's vindictive personality. So he knew that whether it was Akiwara Yuto or Kihara Daigo and the other, they were now all regarded as thorns in Hika Ken's side.

It is estimated that after the storm of this period passes, this superior will still find ways to retaliate one by one.

Forget it, he shouldn't think too much. After all, as a subordinate, all he could do was clean up the mess from last time.

Furukawa Kento straightened his body and thought of another question.

Akiwara Yuto, he shouldn't have many cards left to play, right?