Chapter 150

In Japan, "bullying" is a very widespread phenomenon. According to specific classifications, it is divided into school bullying, workplace bullying, and social group bullying.

But no matter what kind of bullying it is, it often follows certain unspoken rules, that is, after the victim speaks out and exposes the bully's behavior, the party that was originally the bully will be spurned by others, and even sanctioned by other people who originally participated in the bullying behavior.

For example, the work *A Silent Voice* has described corresponding segments: after the heroine suffered bullying, her parents openly found the school, and the hero's bullying behavior was therefore exposed.

After this, other students and teachers who also participated in the bullying behavior actually pushed all the responsibility to the hero, and even carried out "reverse" bullying against him.

Although it sounds unbelievable, this is indeed the status quo in Japanese society.

Regarding the social problem of the Burakumin, it is also the same.

Although mainstream society has adopted a sanctioning attitude toward it, it is always just "despising" privately on the Internet. Besides this, it is to show their discrimination through special means such as differential treatment.

In other words, if the matter of bullying the "Burakumin" group is exposed, the individual or group that is the bully may often suffer a very serious credibility crisis, and may even be fallen into the well by other groups.

After all, although the Burakumin are discriminated against, their number is also in the millions, accounting for one-thirtieth of the entire Japanese national population.

And in recent years, the political power of the Burakumin has also been constantly sprouting and growing, and the sympathy and support from the public are also constantly rising.

Therefore, for Mantanshe, which carries the title of "discriminating against the Burakumin," it is now facing this credibility "crisis."

Chiyoda Ward, Mantanshe Headquarters, Public Relations Force.

Furukawa Kento saw the densely packed crowd surrounding Mantanshe's headquarters through the cracks in the blinds and wiped the cold sweat from his forehead.

Damn it, how did Akiwara Yuto get involved with the Burakumin line? What exactly happened?

According to Takei Kohei's statement, "blacklisting" Akiwara Yuto was purely to "kill the chicken to warn the monkey."

How did it turn left and right and get involved in politics!

And Akiwara Yuto's *Death of a Detective*, it was clearly published much later!

Furukawa Kento turned around and walked back and forth in the office.

As a high-level official in the Public Relations Force, he originally didn't regard Akiwara Yuto's matter as a very thorny problem.

Even if the other party used some tricks, Mantanshe could still counter it. And the reason for not countering was just because the cost was too high and it wasn't worth it.

But when this matter became discrimination against the "Burakumin," it was not as simple as it was originally...

What should I do?

Furukawa Kento subconsciously frowned.

Just at this time, a "ding-a-ling" phone ring sounded. Furukawa Kento stopped thinking and picked up the phone.

A familiar voice came from the other side of the phone; it was Vice President Yokoyama Seiji.

Yokoyama Seiji said in an anxious tone: "Executive Furukawa, you can see the current situation; it must be resolved as soon as possible. Just now, the President and the board members have already notified me that this problem must be solved immediately, and the speed must be as fast as possible!"

He was indeed upset and confused now. As the leader directly in charge of the editorial bureau, he must be responsible for all the actions taken by his subordinates.

And this matter of Akiwara Yuto was indeed caused by Kihara Daigo and Takei Kohei.

These two people were indeed under his jurisdiction.

So if this PR crisis was not handled well, he would have to bear a considerable responsibility.

"The subordinate understands. The Public Relations Force has already been contacting major media outlets. After the demonstration outside ends, we will immediately hold a corresponding press conference to prove that Mantanshe absolutely does not discriminate against the Burakumin." Furukawa Kento replied.

Hearing these words, Yokoyama Seiji was not very satisfied; after all, this measure was somewhat too passive.

He thought for a while and asked again: "Has Akiwara Yuto given a reply? Can he publish a statement of understanding as soon as possible?"

The source of all things was Akiwara Yuto. As long as he could stand up and explain it well, the credibility crisis Mantanshe was currently facing could be reduced by more than half immediately.

Furukawa Kento hesitated for a while and then replied: "Akiwara Yuto said he is still considering it; he wants to wait and see."

Wait and see? Hearing this explanation, Yokoyama Seiji was angry and laughed for a moment.

The later this matter is dragged out, the greater the impact on Mantanshe's crisis...

After all, the publishing house is in the cultural industry, and a very important point in the cultural industry is to consider the public's attitude.

Furukawa Kento also heard the dissatisfaction of his superior, so he immediately said: "We are continuing to accelerate communication with Akiwara Yuto. Besides this, we have also prepared other backup plans. The next step..."

Before he finished speaking, he was interrupted by Yokoyama Seiji, "Okay, send the specific plan to my office later. Once again, I only need results as soon as possible, no matter what method!!"

After saying this, Yokoyama Seiji rudely hung up the phone...

Furukawa Kento heard the sound of the phone being hung up and fell into silence. After a while, he dialed another number.

"Hello, is this Ms. Seto Tamae? I want to ask you for a favor here..."

At the same time, Satake Maki, who was at Anju Bookstore, looked at the news of the demonstration on TV and fell into confusion...

Like most people, she was not very clear about the specific reason why Mantanshe suppressed Akiwara Yuto.

The last time she saw Akiwara Yuto was at the award ceremony of the Detective Literature Newcomer Award, but after that, a series of events happened.

From Akiwara Yuto denouncing Mantanshe's injustice at the award ceremony, to the editor named Asano Aiko saying Mantanshe was faking it in a television interview, and now the demonstration by Burakumin political groups...

The occurrence of various events made her couldn't help but feel somewhat dazzled.

So Mantanshe suppressing Mr. Akiwara, is it workplace bullying, or suppression of the Burakumin?

How come the methods of each party are not unified? It's so strange!

"So it turns out Mr. Akiwara was suppressed because he supported the Burakumin." Nishijima Zongtai, who was watching TV with her, put forward his opinion.

"But why didn't Mr. Akiwara say it himself before?" Satake Maki was still somewhat half-believing.

Nishijima Zongtai shrugged.

"Who knows? These writers all have quirks. Maybe Akiwara Yuto felt that this matter was not convenient to make public, so he didn't say it. After all, supporting the Burakumin is something that few celebrities do now."

He thought for a while and then said in a certain tone.

"If it wasn't to support the Burakumin, then why would these Burakumin demonstrate in front of Mantanshe for him? They couldn't be trying to get some benefits, right? According to the news, many people came all the way from that broken place in Hokkaido, and the travel expenses cost a lot of money!"

When saying this, there was a faint sarcasm in Nishijima Zongtai's tone.

Under the premise of mainstream social discrimination against the Burakumin, he was naturally no exception.

Hearing this explanation, Satake Maki could only nod. After all, it had already made such a big noise, and it indeed seemed to be the reason.

Nishijima Zongtai finished saying this, then secretly glanced at Satake Maki's side face a few times, then reached into his pocket and took out two movie tickets.

"Satake, are you free these two nights? A friend of mine just happened to give me two tickets, I don't know if you can..."

Satake Maki saw the two tickets handed in front of her, was stunned for a moment, and then replied with an apologetic smile: "Sorry, there is a lot of work these days, I might not have any time..."

"Ah, is that so? Understood, understood." Nishijima Zongtai withdrew his hand and put the tickets back into his pocket.

He touched the back of his head with his right hand and said pretending not to care: "It's okay, no need to apologize, after all, they were just extra tickets."

Although he didn't care on his lips, his left hand in his pocket couldn't help but clench tightly.

Satake Maki didn't notice his action, but continued to turn her gaze to the television screen.

Watching the host continue to report on this incident, she couldn't help but worry.

Mr. Akiwara, he shouldn't have any major problems, right?