Chapter 1145: Naoki-san has been spending money a bit lavishly lately!

The day after buying the plane, when Naoki Nagayama arrived at the office, he was carrying a bag that looked a bit conspicuous.

"Naoki-san, what is this?" Xing Jiahua at the front desk saw it and asked very curiously.

"Ah... a souvenir..." Naoki Nagayama casually took a box of plane model ornaments out of the bag. "Here, I'll give you one... just put it at the front desk~"

"Eh?"

Xing Jiahua took the box unexpectedly, took out the plane model inside, and after placing it on the front desk table, felt a bit strange.

"How come it feels like we are an airline..."

Just as she wanted to ask about its origin, Naoki Nagayama had already gotten into the elevator...

After arriving at the top floor, he didn't enter his office immediately, but came to Otomo Yoshimura's door. Knocking and entering, he happened to see Shuichi-san inside too.

"Otomo-san... Shuichi-san happens to be here too... come, come, come, one for each..."

"What is it?" Shuichi Yin Tang unfolded it curiously, his expression changing. "Naoki-san, didn't you say you bought a real big plane? Don't tell me you lied to me? You bought a toy model?!"

"I did buy it."

After distributing them to the two, Naoki Nagayama had three models left in his hand. He put the bag aside and said,

"However, when I was leaving, I said that the ornaments on the table looked good, and then that sales manager insisted on taking some plane models from the warehouse for me to bring along..."

Heaven and earth can testify, when Naoki Nagayama was leaving, he really just said it casually!

And Tomoyasu Kawamura called his assistant to take seven or eight unopened boxes from the warehouse and sent them directly to the trunk... Naoki Nagayama put two at home, felt there were too many, so he brought them to the company.

"..."

Shuichi Yin Tang and Otomo Yoshimura were silent for a while, not knowing whether to be surprised by the news of their friend buying a plane, or speechless about the matter of sending plane models~

"So, you've already bought it, right?"

"Yes... just waiting to sign the contract~"

"How come it's like going to the vegetable market to buy vegetables~" Otomo Yoshimura also complained. From the time he learned that Naoki Nagayama wanted to buy a plane until now, it was only one night. "What model of plane? How much?"

"Gulfstream III, 25 million..."

Otomo Yoshimura was surprised: "So cheap?"

"US dollars!"

"..."

Otomo Yoshimura was speechless again... Forget it, forget it, he shouldn't have asked. Their wealth is indeed still a big gap away from Naoki Nagayama!

Although the Tree Friend Group is very profitable, both know that the real big head of Naoki Nagayama's money-making is actually in the Tree Friend Capital part; the financial world is the most profitable~

After continuing to ask about some details of the plane to satisfy their curiosity, Shuichi Yin Tang and Otomo Yoshimura put this matter down... Isn't it just a luxury item bought by a friend? When the plane is received, as a friend, you can naturally go and rub it~

After that, it was naturally about business.

"Naoki-san, when do you think it would be better to establish the Tokyo Film Association?"

Shuichi Yin Tang asked.

"I think it's best before the next Tokyo International Film Festival... In this way, the name of the Tokyo Film Association can also be spread at the film festival."

"It really needs to be established before that, even before April..." Otomo Yoshimura reminded. "Before the new fiscal year comes... In this way, the budget application of the Ministry of Education can be approved directly..."

"Yeah... and there is the support budget from the Ministry of Education~"

Takako Ikenobo of the Ministry of Education has promised that if the Tokyo Film Association is established, she will apply to her superiors for funding!

And now Naoki Nagayama has a good relationship with Kenkichi Kurita, the Commissioner for Cultural Affairs, and Sadanaga Kiba, the Vice Minister of the Ministry of Education, so the resistance encountered by this application should not be very large...

Minister of Education Yoshiro Mori should not block something that is good for everyone; he is about to retire~

"Find an opportunity to communicate with Takako Ikenobo again!" Naoki Nagayama said. "And Kenkichi Kurita..."

Otomo Yoshimura heard this and offered suggestions on the side:

"Ministry of Education officials will definitely attend the three major film awards, so you can chat face-to-face at the banquet afterwards."

"Indeed, there are not many days left~" Shuichi Yin Tang also nodded.

"Hmm... but it's not clear which competition they will attend respectively..." Naoki Nagayama looked at Shuichi Yin Tang. "Shuichi-san, you are going to the Academy Awards, I am going to the Blue Ribbon... anyway, it must be one of these two. If you meet them, just bring it up directly."

"Yes!" Shuichi Yin Tang nodded. "You can also make an appointment separately later... to build a relationship..."

Actually, meeting and talking in private should be more convenient.

"Kenkichi Kurita is still okay..." Naoki Nagayama scratched his face. "But for Takako Ikenobo... I am a married man, and I am making a private appointment with her, a married woman... If the news is leaked, it might affect her official reputation..."

At that time, rumors will spread about a high-ranking female official of the Ministry of Education privately meeting a male god of the entertainment industry, an explosive development of an extramarital affair, etc...

Those who mix in politics generally have political enemies, and such negative news will automatically match the opponents!

"..."

Shuichi Yin Tang and Otomo Yoshimura looked at Naoki Nagayama's handsome face and had to nod... It really must be guarded against!

"Then try to meet in public!"

After chatting in the office for a while, Naoki Nagayama went downstairs to the editing room.

Masataka Komori had fully recovered and was directing others to edit "Once a Thief."

"Masataka-kun!" After Naoki Nagayama knocked on the door, he walked to the editing table. "How is it? Is there any problem with the progress of 'Once a Thief'?"

"Absolutely not!"

Masataka Komori answered firmly immediately. He was terrified that Naoki Nagayama would intervene and take over the editing work.

"It's more than half edited, and the first trailer has also been edited!"

"Oh?"

Naoki Nagayama smiled.

"Then let's take a look first!"

"Yes!"

Masataka Komori directed Tomoyuki Nishimoto to place the material, and it began to play on the small projector in the editing room.

"Once a Thief" is a relaxed youth action film, so the first trailer is also biased toward a relaxed direction.

As the film played, Naoki Nagayama saw the location shots filmed by the crew in Paris and the scene of the protagonist stealing art. The art was the famous "Mona Lisa" instead of the previous "Maid of Herin."

Although everyone knows that "Mona Lisa" is in the Louvre in France, the film created a fictional plot: "One in the Louvre, one with me; the Louvre is fake, mine is real," saying that the one on display is actually a fake, and the genuine one is in a private vault of a certain collector~

Anyway, it's a movie, so naturally, you have to use more well-known art.

At the end of the screen, close-ups were given to the three protagonists, and the names of the actors were displayed... Kyosuke Shibata, Chikako Aoyama, Leslie Cheung... and the final director—Masataka Komori!

"Hahaha, Masataka-kun also showed his face..."

Naoki Nagayama patted Masataka Komori's shoulder without any criticism.

"Ha, I think there should also be audiences who will recognize the movies I direct and come to the cinema to watch!" Masataka Komori was a bit embarrassed. "Just like Naoki-san~"

Now, when Japanese audiences hear that it is Naoki Nagayama's work, they will assume that it is an excellent work. Even if it is not the type they like, they might go to the cinema to take a look~

Actually, in the eyes of ordinary audiences, Masataka Komori is already a famous director. The previous "Diary of the Sea Street" was very well received. His movies can already attract a part of the audience!

"That's for sure!"

Naoki Nagayama said with a smile, and then looked at Tomoyuki Nishimoto next to him.

"In the future, you will also have your own representative works and then have your own followers!"

Tomoyuki Nishimoto and several other assistants had expressions of expectation on their faces instantly!

"Then... when will this trailer be hung out?"

"According to the rhythm of publicity, it should be at the end of January." Masataka Komori said. "At the same time, Kyosuke Shibata and Chikako Aoyama will also start more publicity..."

"What about the preview?"

"Before the Film Academy Awards..." Masataka Komori said. "There are still two weeks, my editing should be finished!"

"Hmm, before the awards ceremony..."

Naoki Nagayama nodded, and suddenly thought of another thing: Leslie Cheung will also attend the Academy Awards ceremony, and "Tiger of Ginza" has a high probability of winning Best Actor.

Masataka Komori also said:

"At that time, Leslie Cheung will also promote it during his acceptance speech!"

"Hmm, the second movie in Japan, it really needs to be taken seriously..."

After chatting for a while, without disturbing Masataka Komori's editing anymore, Naoki Nagayama left.

It's just that Masataka Komori in the editing room looked at the plane model at the corner of the table and had some wild thoughts...

"Is Naoki-san encouraging us to spread our wings and fly high?!"

After leaving the editing room, Naoki Nagayama strolled around other business floors of the Tree Friend building, chatted with Gosho Aoyama, Yoshihiro Togashi, and others about the subsequent plot of "Slam Dunk," and also asked about the progress of signing the investment contract with Studio Ghibli, before slowly returning to the top floor.

After returning to the office, Naoki Nagayama sat in the boss's chair and was in a daze.

Just mentioning Leslie Cheung made him think of the Hong Kong film circle, and then associated it with the market in Taiwan, and even thought of the markets in Europe and the United States.

"'Ghost,' 'Tiger of Ginza,' 'Hayato Legend'—these can actually enter overseas markets, especially Taiwan and Hong Kong, which currently have a high acceptance of Japanese films."

"The United States and Europe are a bit worse, but sci-fi films like 'Jurassic Park' should be fine..."

Sci-fi films mainly look at scientific exploration, which is common in any country, just like action films.

One of the purposes of establishing the Tokyo Film Industry Association earlier was because if Japanese films want to enter overseas markets, they must first reach a consensus with overseas film guilds to try to coordinate and solve problems such as property rights and piracy.

But the overseas expansion of Tree Friend's own films needs more specific support:

"So, should we acquire an overseas distribution company first?"

"Or several?"

If every market needs one, then counting it now, at least five are needed!

Just as he was still calculating in his heart which distribution companies could be acquired, his mobile phone suddenly rang.

After picking up the phone, he heard Genta Nakai's voice:

"Naoki-san..."

"It's Genta-san... good afternoon... are you busy?"

"Hahaha, nothing big, just calling to ask how things have been lately..."

"I'm relieved that everything in the company is fine..."

"Oh, by the way, I bought a private jet, and someone might contact Tree Friend Capital tomorrow... At that time, the money will be paid from my US capital account! About 25 million US dollars..."

"Yes, you heard it right, a private jet! 25 million!"

"That's all!"

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1146 =====

"After all, it's a huge order of over ten million; it's only right for ANA to be a bit more attentive."

"Hmm, that's true." Naoki Nagayama nodded, "Then I'll leave it to Genta-san to keep an eye on the contract... I'll mention this when I have my routine communication with Aldrich tonight."

"By the way, help me collect detailed information on distribution companies in the United States, Europe, Hong Kong, and Taiwan recently. We might acquire overseas distribution companies this year..."

"This... are we acquiring overseas companies again?"

"Yes, for the sake of the movie expansion plan later on..." Naoki Nagayama laughed, "We have to harvest the wallets of audiences in other countries too!"

"......."

Genta Nakai was silent for a moment... He felt that Naoki Nagayama had been spending money more and more lavishly lately!

Buying an island before, just bought a plane, and now acquiring companies again... These expenses are all money that ordinary people couldn't earn in a lifetime!

But... who let most of the money in Shuyou Capital be his? He couldn't spend it all no matter how he tried... Especially after the Plaza Accord, the speed at which Shuyou Capital makes money is even a bit frightening!

"Hai, I will contact the investigation company. It should be about ready by the beginning of the month."

"Arigato!" Naoki Nagayama thanked him, "What would I do without Genta-san~"

"This is what I should do..."

Genta Nakai shook his head; it should be that he wouldn't know what to do without Naoki Nagayama~

Naoki Nagayama, who had hung up the phone, stood up and looked at the sky outside. After strolling through several departments, it was almost noon.

Today's work is still full of achievements; it's time to get off work!

As one of the largest film awards in Japan, the Blue Ribbon Awards selection committee has always been the busiest during this period.

Because not only do they have to collect and count the votes of moviegoers and the opinions of film critics, but the committee also has to select the appropriate awards from hundreds of movies from last year.

But this year, this choice can be said to be both easy and very difficult!

As the chairman of the selection committee, Koichi Nojima looked at the several movies in front of him and felt very troubled:

"《The Legend of Hayato》, 《Ginza Tiger》, 《Ghost》... Are they all from Shuyou Film after all?!"

In fact, according to past standards, these few movies are far ahead of other movies in terms of box office, influence, and innovation, and could completely win any trophy of the Blue Ribbon Awards.

Adding the three together, they could even sweep all the awards of the Blue Ribbon!

It's just that... these are all works of Shuyou Film!!!

If all the awards are given to Shuyou, how can this competition continue?! Could it be that the entire Japanese film industry is already dominated by Shuyou Film alone?!

"Damn it, although I don't want to give them all to Shuyou, I don't want to offend Shuyou either! If I force it and don't give them to Shuyou Film, the Blue Ribbon will be in big trouble later!"

Koichi Nojima looked at his assistant, Shinnosuke Matsuzawa, beside him and asked,

"Shinnosuke... do you have any way to have the best of both worlds?!"

Shinnosuke Matsuzawa, from being a paparazzi initially, to an editor at Bunshun, to an independent columnist, and now researching film art, becoming a capable member of the Blue Ribbon Executive Committee...

It seems that every transformation has been entangled with Shuyou~

"A way to have the best of both worlds..." Shinnosuke Matsuzawa shook his head, "This is hard to handle!"

"If it's hard to handle, then don't handle it..."

Koichi Nojima subconsciously wanted to give up, but immediately reacted,

"Shinnosuke, you said it's hard to handle, which means there is a way?"

"Hai... I do have a way here?"

Shinnosuke Matsuzawa nodded and slowly continued,

"Actually, according to my research on Naoki Nagayama in the past, although this guy looks sharp and aggressive, he is essentially a very easygoing... no... detached person! He doesn't actually value honors too much!"

"Huh?" Koichi Nojima was a bit confused, "Naoki Nagayama is easygoing?"

"Yes, and he eats soft but not hard!" Shinnosuke Matsuzawa was very confident, "This is a conclusion I reached after following him for several years."

"But he has so many rumors... yakuza, kidnapping, and so on."

Koichi Nojima looked at Shinnosuke Matsuzawa with doubtful eyes,

"Everyone says he is very violent!"

"You have to look at the essence through the phenomena!" Shinnosuke Matsuzawa said, "Naoki Nagayama is actually always counterattacking; he has never taken the initiative to harm others..."

"This..."

Shinnosuke Matsuzawa did not continue to explain his basis—those were intelligence gathered when he was a paparazzi—but directly stated the solution just now,

"Chairman Nojima, actually, as long as we invite Naoki Nagayama and Shuichi Ido of Shuyou Film to talk privately, explain the dilemma currently faced by the Blue Ribbon, and inform them that we cannot award all the awards to Shuyou's three movies..."

"What kind of solution is this?!"

"Then let them decide which movie to push mainly..." Shinnosuke Matsuzawa was full of confidence, "In this case, even if we don't give them to Shuyou, they won't have any opinions about Chairman Nojima!"

"Hmm..."

Koichi Nojima pondered for a while and found that if Naoki Nagayama and the others eat soft but not hard, it is indeed a good way.

It's just that the other awards of the Blue Ribbon have to be left for Shuyou to choose, which is a bit embarrassing...

But being embarrassed is better than having no way to handle it!

"Then let's do that. Shinnosuke, you should have their contact information, right? Help me invite Naoki Nagayama and the others!"

"....... Hai!"

Shinnosuke Matsuzawa really did have Shuyou's contact information... That was the private phone number of Shuichi Ido he got when he was a paparazzi!

(End of chapter)