Chapter 288

There are mainly two types of companies in Japan: one is the large joint-stock company; the other is the medium-sized limited liability company.

The definition of a joint-stock company is quite strict, requiring registered capital of over 10 million yen, three directors, a fixed residence, and a statutory auditor.

A limited liability company is very simple; it only requires 3 million yen in capital and one director and a Japanese representative.

Akutsu Bookstore is not listed, so it is naturally in the form of a limited liability company.

Therefore, the procedure for Akiwara Yuto to acquire the bookstore from Goichi Akutsu is not complicated.

However, when it came to the transfer of funds, a small problem arose.

Goichi Akutsu insisted on requiring a one-time full payment of 2 billion yen.

The reason is that he is optimistic about South Korea's economic potential and intends to immediately invest in the South Korean stock market.

After hearing this, Akiwara Yuto felt surprised.

It is not strange that Goichi Akutsu wants to leave Japan; after all, after selling Akutsu Bookstore, he has no reason to stay.

He was just surprised that the other party actually wanted to run to South Korea to invest.

After the Japanese economic bubble, domestic funds in Japan and international funds invested in South Korea, which caused the South Korean economy and stock market to climb steadily.

But by 1997, South Korea was defeated during the Asian financial crisis; it could be said that half the country was sold off.

It is now 1993, and Goichi Akutsu entering the South Korean stock market at this point in time will probably make some money.

But four years later, the money earned will probably have to be returned.

However, Akiwara Yuto did not persuade him, because after this incident, the friendship between the two had completely vanished.

Even to raise the insufficient funds, he had to dispose of some intangible assets facing depreciation.

Two days later, Chiyoda Ward.

Akiwara Yuto, accompanied by Asano Aiko and Lawyer Kitaoka, arrived at the Keikyokan building together and met with Rika Oshiro, the editor-in-chief of "April Youth," as well as three other people in charge at Keikyokan.

The purpose of his visit today is regarding the sale of the copyright for the "Furuhata Ninzaburo" series.

In fact, he offered a price of about 1.5 billion yen, intending to sell the film and television adaptation rights for the next 10 years as well as the work's copyright.

After a brief conversation between the two sides, Rika Oshiro said politely: "Akiwara-sensei, regarding the copyright quote for 'Furuhata Ninzaburo,' we think 500 million yen is more appropriate."

Akiwara Yuto did not reply, while Asano Aiko smiled and said: "Editor-in-chief Oshiro, judging from the ratings of the second season, the 'Furuhata' series is still a popular work. Is such a work really only worth 500 million yen?"

Rika Oshiro retorted: "Asano-san, after all, the TV series has already been filmed for two seasons, and the ratings have dropped slightly compared to when it first aired. We cannot guarantee how the subsequent broadcasts will perform."

Asano Aiko was about to retort, but Akiwara Yuto waved his hand and asked a question.

"Editor-in-chief Oshiro, do you know how many copies of the 'Furuhata' series' first-half tankobon sold?"

Rika Oshiro asked in confusion: "300,000 copies."

Akiwara Yuto laughed, "A full 600,000 copies, and basically no advertising expenses were invested."

Because of the popularity of the TV series, even though he didn't deliberately promote it, the "Furuhata" series still had many fans buying it.

And he didn't believe the other party wouldn't be tempted by a work that can reach an annual sales volume of 1.2 million copies.

After hearing this, Rika Oshiro had a female accountant next to her start calculating with a calculator.

600,000 copies in half a year, so the annual sales can reach 1.2 million copies. Even if each book is priced at 2,000 yen and the net profit is only about 50% in royalties, the annual net income is 1.2 billion yen.

Looking at it this way, the 1.5 billion yen copyright fee is quite reasonable.

After reaching this conclusion, she immediately discussed it with Rika Oshiro and the others.

Akiwara Yuto watched their actions and also appeared calm and indifferent.

In fact, his statement had a certain misleading nature; the hot sales of 600,000 copies in the first half of the year were inseparable from the TV series and the previously accumulated fans.

Moreover, the "Furuhata" series is only popular for these two or three years.

Not only that, judging from past-life experience, it would only last for 3 seasons and 2 or 3 movies at most.

As the available tricks become fewer and fewer, this series will still follow the same old path as Conan, appearing with more repetitive routines, making the audience and readers feel bored.

By that stage, it would be good if the annual sales could reach 300,000 copies.

However, Akiwara Yuto did not intend to cheat the other party; this quote of 1.5 billion yen would not make the other party lose money, at most they would just earn less.

After 20 minutes, Rika Oshiro and the others seemed to have discussed a result.

She smiled and replied: "Akiwara-sensei, if there are no problems, let's sign the contract."

Akiwara Yuto nodded, then handed the contract to the lawyer to look over again. After simply modifying a few sentences, both sides signed the agreement.

The film and television rights and distribution rights for the "Furuhata Ninzaburo" series for 10 years were sold to Keikyokan for a one-time price of 1.5 billion yen, and the latter would act as the publisher.

However, a point was specially noted inside, which is that the "Furuhata" series still being serialized in "April Youth" would no longer be marked with the words "Authored by Akiwara Yuto."

Regarding this point, Rika Oshiro had no objections.

After all, this work has now found others to ghostwrite and continue, so it is not quite suitable to emphasize Akiwara Yuto's name anymore.

If they still hang a sheep's head and sell dog meat like this, it might be similar to the ghostwriting incident at "Tokyo Youth" and be boycotted by readers.

"Akiwara-sensei, come to my office and have some tea."

After the signing was finished, Rika Oshiro extended an invitation.

Akiwara Yuto agreed, and after letting Asano and the other leave, he came to Rika Oshiro's office.

"Editor-in-chief Oshiro, is there something you specifically wanted to see me for?" Akiwara Yuto did not think the other party would specifically pick a time to invite him alone.

"Can't it just be a chat between acquaintances?" Rika Oshiro smiled, then took the initiative to pour him a cup of tea, "Akiwara-sensei, you sold the 'Furuhata' series this time because of the relationship with Keihan Publishing, right?"

Akiwara Yuto was a bit confused and asked back: "Could it be that you also have..."

Rika Oshiro smiled without answering, while Akiwara Yuto was completely speechless.

Of the four major publishers, Keikyokan has basically infiltrated them all; is this intelligence work a bit too outstanding?!

However, he didn't feel there was anything wrong with it, so he replied: "Yes, I have a bit of a conflict with Keihan Publishing right now."

Rika Oshiro nodded; she actually didn't find it strange.

Keihan Publishing has dominated the mystery publication market for more than a day or two, and Akiwara Yuto's rise broke their monopolistic rule over this market.

The two sides were bound to have a conflict sooner or later.

But the timing of this conflict was a bit earlier than she thought.

She thought for a moment, decided to do Akiwara Yuto a favor, and said: "Akiwara-sensei, Keihan Publishing has specifically set up a group targeting you, and they might be planning to..."

Listening to the intelligence she provided, Akiwara Yuto's expression gradually became serious...