Chapter 1087: How could such a thing happen?!

The bustling venue gathered the elites of the entire Japanese entertainment industry, as well as celebrities from Hollywood.

Naoki Nagayama's seat was in the front row. On the way to his seat, he had already greeted celebrities he was familiar with, such as Yuko Tanaka, Kanako Higuchi, Takeshi Kitano, Toshihiko Tahara, Shonentai, etc.

Akina also greeted circle friends like Kyoko Koizumi, Yukiko Okada, etc., and arrived at the front row seats amidst occasional pauses.

There were many foreign faces around this seat. Naoki Nagayama could only smile and nod, and then greeted Shuichi Itou, who was sitting next to him.

"Naoki-san, why are you only here now?" Shuichi Itou asked curiously. "I heard Otomo-san say you and Akina-chan were walking the red carpet an hour ago?"

"Met two acquaintances, so went to the lounge to chat for a while." Naoki Nagayama explained, then asked, "Why don't I see Otomo-san?"

"He, as the vice-chairman of the executive committee, naturally went to watch the execution of the opening ceremony~ I saw Otomo-san scolding a staff member before..."

Shuichi Itou teased,

"What a great official prestige~"

"...... Otomo-san must be for the smooth progress of the opening ceremony~"

Naoki Nagayama defended Tomotomo Yoshimura. After all, his old friend took on a lot of work for him. If it weren't for him, he would probably be busy backstage now......

Amidst the chatting between the two, the lights in the venue gradually dimmed, and the opening ceremony of the Tokyo International Film Festival finally began!

First, naturally, was the opening performance.....

A pair of geishas wearing kimonos walked onto the main stage and began to perform traditional shamisen..... letting many foreign friends experience the traditional culture of Japan~~

"Minna-san, welcome to the 2nd Tokyo International Film Festival!"

The host on stage was the famous host Masaho Senda, who had hosted the Kohaku Uta Gassen many times,

"Tonight, stars are gathered, tonight the stars are shining..... celebrities, actors, directors, producers from all over the world have gathered here to witness the holding of the 2nd Tokyo International Film Festival......."

Following the host's words, the spotlight at the top of the venue wandered constantly among the participating guests.....

"First, let us welcome the initiator of the Tokyo International Film Festival, the chairman of Tree Friend Group, famous director, producer—Naoki Nagayama!"

The lights gathered on Naoki Nagayama all at once, catching him off guard. He hadn't been told about this before, right?!

Added temporarily?!

However, the applause in the venue had already sounded. Naoki Nagayama hurriedly stood up, turned around, and bowed to thank the audience who couldn't be seen clearly below.

"Next, let us thank the chairman of the Tokyo International Film Festival Committee, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology—Sadaga Kiba!"

Not far away, Sadaga Kiba stood up, smiling and bowing to everyone~

Then it was the various big shots, standing up to salute the audience under the host's roll call.

Naoki Nagayama sat down with a slightly heavy face......

Being the first to be thanked by the host, who changed this suddenly?

Although Naoki Nagayama, as the initiator and actual organizer of the film festival, being thanked first was not inappropriate, it should have been Sadaga Kiba originally!

He didn't care much about these rankings, but he heard that guys who mixed in politics cared very much!

This is fame! Fame and status cannot be given to others~

"Naoki-san, what's wrong?" Shuichi Itou asked strangely. "Logically, shouldn't it be Sadaga Kiba first?"

Sadaga Kiba represented the official side and was also the chairman of the executive committee, and even more so the guest for the opening speech, so he should have been thanked first.

Even in the previous planning document, it was clearly written. Now it was changed temporarily, and he wasn't even notified? How could such a thing happen?

"Don't know..... maybe something went wrong somewhere~"

Naoki Nagayama made his tone lighter, so as not to let Akina, who was listening on the side, worry,

"Wait until it ends, then go ask~"

"Then Sadaga Kiba's side......"

"Daijobu, Kiba-san and I have a good relationship, I'll go explain to him...."

Naoki Nagayama, although surprised, wasn't worried that Sadaga Kiba would be angry. After all, he didn't mix in officialdom, and he had no competitive relationship with Sadaga Kiba.

After communicating with Shuichi Itou in a low voice, Naoki Nagayama and Akina looked at the opening ceremony together.

The host on stage was still continuing:

"Next, let us invite Chairman Sadaga Kiba to give the opening speech......"

Sadaga Kiba, in a suit and leather shoes, walked onto the podium with a smile and began to speak.

This kind of opening speech was mostly the same, first reviewing the past, thanking for support, then standing in the present, looking forward to the future...... not many people would listen carefully, let alone foreign guests who didn't even understand Japanese~

"Blah blah....... Wish the 2nd Tokyo International Film Festival a complete success! May the Japanese film industry develop vigorously! That's all!"

It was after Sadaga Kiba bowed and saluted that the final applause was very warm, as if the entire audience was moved by this speech.

"This Sadaga Kiba is really amazing, you can't see the previous matter at all from his expression~" Shuichi Itou complained to Naoki Nagayama in a low voice.

"Shuichi-san..... although everyone says actors have good acting skills, in fact, the guys with the best acting skills are in politics, in officialdom!"

Naoki Nagayama sighed while clapping. He recalled a certain bureaucrat who could act like a retard in front of CCTV cameras, causing heated discussion across the country, but it was to protect local enterprises..... and even had a smooth official career later.

The more Shuichi Itou pondered Naoki Nagayama's words, the more he felt it made sense:

"Indeed!"

I heard that some politicians can really talk about integrity while being corrupt!

The host on stage had no change in expression, still cueing the process, introducing the jury chairman of this Tokyo International Film Festival, Nagisa Oshima, and then inviting the judges to the stage to meet the audience.

"The Tokyo International Film Festival competition, from thousands of participating films, screened out 25 shortlisted works, all of which will be played at the film venue......"

The big screen on the stage played a short introduction video of the shortlisted films, from *Hayato Legend* at the beginning of the year to *Tiger of Ginza* before the film festival, the essence clips of the whole year's movies were all here.

"During this period, guests can go to the exhibition hall and cinema to enjoy them to their heart's content, and vote...... the final award results will be announced at the closing ceremony of the film festival."

Actually, the film awards had already been determined, and the audience's votes were just for show~

"Next, let us invite the grand champion of *Voice of Japan*—Izumi Sakai, to present *My Friend* for everyone!"

Finally reached this program!

Izumi Sakai walked onto the stage wearing shorts and a denim jacket, a pair of long legs thin, white, and long. The styling of the denim jacket and white T-shirt, paired with her delicate face and a single ponytail, was youthful and energetic!

When she started singing, the warm voice flowed out like a clear spring, making people think of the white moonlight of their student days~

Naoki Nagayama sat up slightly and said to Akina next to him:

"Izumi Sakai's singing voice is a bit different from Akina's, warm and clear..... so singing this *My Friend* will make people feel warm...."

"Naoki-san has been talking about Izumi Sakai these days~"

Akina was a bit jealous!

"Haha, Akina is even more charming on stage!"

The family's small crisis flashed by, but Akina suddenly had some sense of crisis. Since Xia Hua was born, she had spent too much energy on the baby, even neglecting Naoki-san!

...... Can't continue to be so decadent, Naoki-san must be guarded by myself!

"

Shonen no mama hitomi wa My Friend (In the days of youth, eyes were full of My Friend)

Anata o omou dake de (Just by thinking of you)

Kokoro wa tsuyoku nareta (My heart became strong)

Zutto mitsumete iru kara (Because I have always been watching you)

Hashiri tsuzukete (So I keep running forward)

Hashiri tsuzukete (Keep running forward)

"

Amidst Izumi Sakai's warm voice, this *My Friend* ended, and the audience at the scene applauded one after another, lasting for a long time.

Even foreign guests who didn't understand Japanese praised the beautiful melody and voice!

The opening ceremony was still continuing.....

Tomotomo Yoshimura backstage was already furious.

At this time, Toshitaka Yamamura and Mizuho Nakano had also arrived, hearing him raging backstage, roaring at the on-site director:

"Who notified the host to change the order! Such an important matter, how could you not notify me?!"

"This....." The on-site director of the opening ceremony, Toshiro Takai, hurriedly said, "Just now I have already asked the host, he said it was changed directly on the script given to him."

"Script?" Tomotomo Yoshimura opened his eyes wide. "So it's not the host's reason? Is there someone else?"

"Yes!" Toshiro Takai cleanly pushed away the responsibility. "It was a new assistant who communicated with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, saying he received a call from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, saying that Minister Kimura was already the opening speaker, so he shouldn't be too conspicuous, so don't thank him first...."

"So, it's the reason of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology?!" Tomotomo Yoshimura breathed a sigh of relief. If it was their reason, then they didn't make a big mistake.

"......."

"However, we just called the person we contacted at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, and they said they didn't notify such a thing....."

Toshiro Takai added timidly.

"???!!!"

Tomotomo Yoshimura's gaze was like wanting to eat someone. After panting for a few breaths, he asked:

"Then what about that assistant?!"

"The assistant has already been arranged in the isolation room.... he is just a newcomer, already scared to death!"

Toshiro Takai said,

"Because the call was made directly to him, and he knew the process of the opening ceremony very well, even saying which number Minister Kimura was in, so he believed that the other party was from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology......"

"Chekushou, didn't you report to your superiors?"

"Because the time was very urgent, and he was a newcomer.... so he changed it directly on the script...."

"......."

After the Tokyo International Film Festival executive committee expanded, the source of staff was complex, and many were newcomers.

After hearing this, Tomotomo Yoshimura and the two committee members went to the isolation room, interrogated the young assistant for a while, almost scaring the young man to faint...... and then walked out full of helplessness.

Standing in the corridor and smoking a cigarette, he sighed and said to Toshitaka Yamamura and Mizuho Nakano:

"That kid is not the mastermind...... he doesn't have the guts."

"Then..... who did this?!"

Mizuho Nakano couldn't figure it out. Actually, adjusting the order of thanks wasn't a big deal. It was just to show the official thanks of the film festival. Naoki Nagayama being thanked first as the initiator and main organizer was not a problem at all.

This was also the reason why that assistant believed it directly!

But it was small..... it depended on Kimura Sadaga himself. If his capacity was a bit small, he would have a conflict with Naoki Nagayama. And as far as Tomotomo Yoshimura knew, this guy Kimura Sadaga's capacity was not big.....

"Yes, who would do such a thing that harms others and doesn't benefit oneself?" Toshitaka Yamamura also asked. "Could it be that he has a grudge against Naoki-san?"

"Naoki-san's relationship with the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology is very good...."

Tomotomo Yoshimura said.

Not to mention the political achievements of the Tokyo International Film Festival, which made the high-ranking officials of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology look good, in the previous *Annual Kanji* program, Naoki Nagayama already had a very good relationship with another high-ranking official, Yasuko Ikenobo.

"Then..... it's not aimed at Naoki-san...... then it's aimed at Kimura-san?!"

"Internal struggle of the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology?"

One by one, the speculations were spoken out of the mouths of several old foxes. At this moment, Toshiro Takai walked over.

"Otomo-san..... checked from the desk phone of that assistant, the source of the call was a public phone booth in the Shinjuku commercial street.... can't find the person who made the call....."

"Drip-tight~"

Toshitaka Yamamura sighed. These guys in officialdom were indeed rigorous in doing things.

In such an international activity, he could make Kimura Sadaga lose face, and even cause a gap between Tree Friend..... and such a small matter, it was convenient to execute, and it wouldn't reach the extent of police criminal investigation.....

"They are planning the next Tokyo International Film Festival!" Tomotomo Yoshimura finished smoking a cigarette and suddenly thought of this possibility. "Alienating the relationship between Kimura Sadaga and Tree Friend..... shaking Tree Friend's hosting rights for the next session...."

Mizuho Nakano didn't believe it:

"Such a small matter, impossible, right?!"

"There must be other follow-ups later!"

Tomotomo Yoshimura seemed to have confirmed it,

"Now the Tokyo International Film Festival, more and more people want to intervene..... Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, Ministry of International Trade and Industry, Film Promotion Association, Producer Association, International Exchange Foundation....."

"I have basically dealt with people from these aspects, and they all have the intention of wanting to cooperate, but now we are close to the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology....."

"This, could it be that Otomo-san is overthinking?!" Mizuho Nakano said. "If you want to join, just say it directly...."

"Just have this possibility." Tomotomo Yoshimura walked toward the backstage. "In any case, this mistake was caused by the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, but the fault has to be borne by us..... after all, our employees didn't do a good job....."

"I want to communicate with Naoki-san and make a follow-up apology."

"......"

Toshitaka Yamamura and Mizuho Nakano looked at each other and hurriedly followed.

After the two-hour opening ceremony ended, Naoki Nagayama and Akina arrived at the banquet scene.

However, at this time, Naoki Nagayama was standing next to Tomotomo Yoshimura and Shuichi Itou, and a few people found Kimura Sadaga to express their apologies.

"Kimura-san..... really sorry, our mistake today made the host report the wrong name...."

"Where are you talking about.... there is no mistake!" Kimura Sadaga said with a smile that didn't reach his eyes. "Naoki-san has such great merit, originally he should be the first to be thanked!"

This sounded not sincere at all, obviously Kimura Sadaga was just saying it, he was definitely angry! This stingy guy!

"Sumimasen!"

Tomotomo Yoshimura directly raised his glass to apologize, and drank a cup of strong liquor first, wanting to use this to express his apology.

Just as he was about to continue drinking, Naoki Nagayama pressed his hand down. He didn't want his friend to be so humble...... only to see him walk to Kimura Sadaga's side and sit down directly with a smile:

"Kimura-san..... let me tell you, when the first name called was mine, I was stunned, haha~"

"Oh? Naoki-san didn't know before?"

Kimura Sadaga looked at Naoki Nagayama unexpectedly. He thought this matter was indicated by Naoki Nagayama.

"Yes.... Naoki Nagayama sat next to Kimura Sadaga. "I only knew what was going on after the opening ceremony."

"I heard that a call came from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, saying that for the sake of Kimura-san's reputation, he didn't want to be too conspicuous, so he temporarily moved Kimura-san's order back.

At that time, the time was very urgent, and the other party knew Kimura-san's affairs very well, so our contact person believed it directly."

"......."

Kimura Sadaga frowned. Hearing Naoki Nagayama say this, he also understood that something went wrong on his side.

Otherwise, the process that had already been determined, how could it change suddenly?!

"Who made the call?" Kimura Sadaga asked subconsciously.

"Don't know, when calling over, it was a public phone booth." Naoki Nagayama spread his hands. "Only know it's someone from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, very familiar with Kimura-san...."

"...... Public phone booth."

Kimura Sadaga frowned even more. He knew Naoki Nagayama didn't need to lie.

But if this was true, it meant this was naked framing, and there was an enemy in the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology who knew him very well but he didn't realize.

But what was it for? This kind of small means was stingy and boring, at most it would make him unhappy because it was broadcast live on TV.......

Wait~

Kimura Sadaga looked at Naoki Nagayama next to him. Could it be to make him and Naoki Nagayama have a conflict?! Is it necessary?!

No matter what, Naoki Nagayama and Tree Friend were not his enemies!

Kimura Sadaga knew this very well~

So after a few seconds of thinking, Kimura Sadaga's brows relaxed, and a smile appeared on his face:

"Thinking about it this way, it should indeed be thanked Naoki-san first. After all, Naoki-san is the initiator...... Hahaha, an official like me should indeed be low-key...."

"Kimura-san is already low-key enough! Today you are representing the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, what does it matter to thank you..."

Naoki Nagayama also knew that Kimura Sadaga no longer blamed his side, so he continued to flatter.

"That won't do.... Naoki-san is the one who worked hard!" Kimura Sadaga also laughed, raising his glass, "This film festival was successfully held, I want to thank you.... come, come, come, have a drink with me!"

"Haha, Kimura-san is too polite...... come, come, let's have a drink...."

Just in a few words, the atmosphere at Kimura Sadaga's table became warm again.

Between a few rounds, it changed from the original unpleasantness to mutual toasting. Shuichi Itou looked at this scene, only feeling that Kimura Sadaga and Naoki Nagayama were like acting against each other!

The acting skills were really perfect!

If they were actors, they would definitely be top-tier! ===== CHAPTER 1088 =====