Chapter 291

As one of the two giants monopolizing the book circulation field, the headquarters building of Tokyo Distribution is very luxurious and imposing.

The building is not only more than 300 meters high, but the entrance is also bustling with traffic, and people in suits and leather shoes pass by in a hurry from time to time.

Akiwara Yuto and Nishijima Sōta walked into the entrance and saw a long queue in the business area on the side of the lobby.

It looked just like a service window in a government department.

Seeing Akiwara Yuto's confused look, Nishijima Sōta explained.

"Teacher Akiwara, this business area in the first-floor lobby is mainly responsible for the book procurement quantity business of publishers."

Akiwara Yuto was a bit puzzled; in his impression, Tokyo Distribution and Nihon Distribution both sent people directly to the publisher to conduct business negotiations. Could it be that other publishers don't?

"Teacher Akiwara, it's like this,"

Nishijima Sōta waved his hand and explained: "The number of publishers in Nihon is as many as about 3,000. With so many publishers, Tokyo Distribution and Nihon Distribution definitely don't have time to visit them one by one.

So some micro-publishers can only come to the door and queue up to negotiate business."

Akiwara Yuto immediately understood that it was only when the publisher's scale reached a certain level that the two distributors would come to the door.

However, when hearing the number of more than 3,000, he still couldn't help but be a bit shocked.

You must know that the publishers in his past life, when combined, were less than 600, only one-fifth of those in Nihon.

But he had another doubt in his heart: with that little publishing market in Nihon, can it support so many publishers?

Just at this moment, a significant commotion came from the business area.

"Please order another 2,000 copies! I beg you! Our publisher is about to go under!"

A 50-year-old man wearing an old shirt was bitterly begging a man in a suit behind the counter.

The latter waved his hand and put on a "polite smile," and then two people immediately took the man away.

Others seemed to be used to it, and the people queuing behind walked up.

Seeing this scene, Nishijima Sōta sighed and said helplessly: "Teacher Akiwara, this is the situation of publishers now."

Akiwara Yuto did not reply, but he also had an inexplicable feeling in his heart.

With the economic downturn, more and more micro-publishers are bound to face the end of bankruptcy.

In other words, in the next 10 years or so, Japan's publishing industry will face a reshuffling situation.

In his past life, someone wrote a work called "The Great Collapse of the Nihon Publishing Industry," and after the work was released, it was recognized by many industry insiders.

The scene he saw today might just be a microcosm under this historical background!

After the interlude, Akiwara Yuto and Nishijima Sōta walked to the front desk together to get their badges.

Under the guidance of the receptionist, the two came to an office on the 7th floor, preparing to see today's main person, a department head responsible for the publication of literature books in Tokyo.

However, after arriving at the office, they were told that this department head was temporarily unavailable due to something.

"Sorry, Teacher Akiwara, President Nishijima," a man wearing a gray suit said with an "apologetic" smile, "Department Head Ge is busy today, so if you have anything, please talk to me."

After saying this, he bowed and handed over his business card: "Nice to meet you, I am Kuda Kenichi, the section chief of the Literature Publishing Department, please treat me well."

Akiwara Yuto was a bit dissatisfied in his heart; after all, he had rarely encountered being stood up like this.

However, one does not hit a smiling face, so the two also politely bowed and greeted him.

After some simple pleasantries, the section chief named Kuda Kenichi took the two to a reception room to sit down and took the initiative to pour tea for the two.

"Teacher Akiwara, President Nishijima, what is the purpose of your visit today?" Kuda Kenichi said politely.

Nishijima Sōta took the initiative to take over the topic: "Section Chief Kuda, regarding our newly released 'A Personal Matter,' can your company increase the procurement volume?

Although 'A Personal Matter' is traditional literature, the traditional literature work 'Snow Country' previously released by our publisher successfully sold hundreds of thousands of copies. So according to common sense, I think it will become a bestseller. So I hope your side will consider it again."

Akiwara Yuto didn't speak on the side, just stared at the other party seriously.

After all, this publishing matter should also be negotiated by Nishijima Sōta and the other party to be reasonable.

However, that department head was actually not there, which gave him a bad feeling in his heart.

So he vaguely guessed that this trip might not be that simple.

Sure enough, after hearing this request, this Section Chief Kuda showed an embarrassed expression.

At this time, Nishijima Sōta presented a well-packaged gift: "This is a gift for you, it's a Suhe brand fountain pen."

"How can I accept this."

Kuda Kenichi exchanged pleasantries and then accepted the gift.

He pondered for a while and then said: "How about this, Tokyo Publishing Distribution will order an additional 1,000 copies, do you think that's okay?"

Hearing this result, Nishijima Sōta was speechless.

Originally ordering 3,000 copies, now adding 2,000 copies is only 4,000 copies.

Compared with previous works, it is still pitifully small!

Kuda Kenichi seemed to feel that he had done his best and advised: "This is the maximum number I can decide."

Just when Nishijima Sōta tried to persuade again, Akiwara Yuto showed a cold smile: "President Nishijima, let's go."

The other party's attitude was already very obvious; asking again would be of no avail.

Kuda Kenichi saw Akiwara Yuto's dissatisfaction and showed a bitter smile: "Teacher Akiwara, regarding the order quantity, it was decided unanimously by our department, I am very sorry."

Akiwara Yuto replied indifferently: "Section Chief Kuda, do you know what our publisher's sales volume was in the first half of the year? A full 3 million copies, of which your company ordered 1.3 million copies.

I originally thought we could cooperate happily, but I didn't expect your company to be so pessimistic about my next work.

Looking at it this way, I also have to consider whether to hand over the subsequent editions of my previous works to your company for distribution."

Hearing these words, Kuda Kenichi broke out in a cold sweat.

The reduction in orders for Akiwara Yuto's new book this time was a requirement from the higher-ups.

But the higher-ups also said to try to appease Akiwara Yuto as much as possible, after all, the two sides have great common interests.

If Akiwara Yuto really gets angry and refuses to order books from previous editions, then for him, this is undoubtedly a serious dereliction of duty.

"Teacher Akiwara, look..." he tried to appease the other party.

Akiwara Yuto waved his hand, too lazy to continue.

He called Nishijima Sōta, and the two walked out of the door directly and left the headquarters of Tokyo Distribution.

Looking at the distant sky, Akiwara Yuto made a decision in his heart...