Chapter 1182: Director Nagayama is furious on set?!

The fourth floor of the Tree Friend building was temporarily lent to the Tokyo Film Industry Association as its headquarters in Tokyo.

Currently, with the recruitment of personnel, there are already more than a dozen full-time staff members. Shuichi Ito often goes to this floor now to handle matters related to the Tokyo Film Industry Association.

"Chairman Ito."

Secretary Akiteru Ninomiya found Shuichi Ito with the financial statements,

"This is the report for the first batch of grants this year... Please take a look..."

"Sigh~~~"

Shuichi Ito let out a sigh. Originally, there were many financial statements for Tree Friend, but most of them were shared by Otomo Yoshimura. Now they actually fell on his head... I'm really worried that he will become bald in the future!

"Aren't you going out today to film the assistance for actors in financial distress?"

"These are for later..."

Just as he was burying his head in reviewing the accounts, Otomo Yoshimura's voice came from outside, and he seemed to be talking to someone...

"Hahaha... President Suo, Yama-san, everything has been arranged this time. We just need to go over and send the assistance money..."

"Then take a few photos and find a more formal newspaper to publish it... Wouldn't this kind of charitable public welfare behavior be publicized!"

"Our Tokyo Film Industry Association's name can also be made known~"

Otomo Yoshimura led two people to the association headquarters and found Shuichi Ito directly:

"Shuichi-san, I have brought President Suo and Vice Chairman Yama here!"

Vice Chairman Ikuo Suo and the honorary Vice Chairman of the Ministry of Education, Atsuko Yama, both came... After all, this kind of risk-free thing that can show their faces in front of the media naturally cannot be missed.

"Ah... Suo-san, Yama-san..."

Shuichi Ito stood up to welcome the two,

"Please sit down for a while... The special car will be here soon."

Today, the chairman, vice chairman, and secretary-general of the Tokyo Film Association were all present. It's a pity that Naoki Nagayama was filming a movie, otherwise the first appearance of the Film Association would have even more heat.

"Shuichi-san..."

Ikuo Suo asked after sitting down,

"Has the association's funding arrived?"

"Hmm... Tree Friend's funding, the Ministry of Education's appropriation, and some donations from within the industry, totaling about 5.2 billion yen. Today, 1 million was taken out as assistance money, and the rest has been transferred to the account of the Tree Friend Support Fund."

Shuichi Ito had nothing to hide and said directly,

"After that, there will be a settlement every month, and the profits will be used for internal expenditures and other activities of the association... The association's accounts are public... and accept public supervision."

"Hmm hmm... That couldn't be better!"

Atsuko Yama nodded with a smile. As a person from the Ministry of Education who was honorary to the association, she had no requirements for the association's own profits, only that it had a positive and active image.

It would be best to have more positive actions with great influence to add more brilliance to her resume.

Several people chatted together for a while, and after the car arrived, they went to the address of the old actor who was to be helped today.

It was a flat-roofed house in Nakano Ward, which was a two-story old small apartment, the cheapest residence with one door and one room.

Today, the person to be helped was an old actor named Toshitaro Yamanaka, who had spent his whole life mixing among extras, and at best had only played supporting roles, but he was also familiar with many veteran actors in the industry...

And in the entertainment industry, he learned to spend money lavishly, didn't save any money, and now in his old age, he can only rely on government relief to live.

Shuichi Ito and the others got out of the car. Two interview cars had already gathered at the scene, and several reporters were following with cameras...

"Shuichi-san! Otomo-san..."

One of Tree Friend's backup directors, Yusei Shimizu, first greeted his own family,

"The reporters are here, the cameras are already set up... The cameraman is already in place on the second floor..."

"Good..." Shuichi Ito nodded. "Is Toshitaro Yamanaka also communicated with?"

"Hai... He also understands today's task!"

To put it bluntly, it's just a show. For an old actor, it's not difficult, not to mention that this time he is playing himself...

After confirming that the preparation was completed, Shuichi Ito led the heads of the Film Association to the double-story apartment and knocked on Toshitaro Yamanaka's door.

"Knock knock..."

"May I ask if Mr. Toshitaro Yamanaka is in?"

As the door opened, an old man with a vicissitudes face walked out, with a somewhat diligent smile on his face:

"Chairman Ito, Vice Chairman Suo, Vice Chairman Yama, Secretary-General Yoshimura... I am Toshitaro Yamanaka..."

He didn't miss anyone!

The camera had already started recording, and the microphone had reached the top of his head... Shuichi Ito began to speak without hesitation:

"Yamanaka-san... We represent the Tokyo Film Industry Association and have come to express our condolences..."

"Arigato, please come in quickly!"

Toshitaro Yamanaka politely invited several people into his home, but the small one-bedroom apartment really couldn't fit too many people. In the end, only Shuichi Ito and Ikuo Suo and the cameraman carrying the camera walked in.

The small room should have been slightly tidied up, but it still looked very old, and even the tatami mats revealed a feeling of decay.

"Yamanaka-san, you have spent half your life in the entertainment industry... It can be said that you grew up following the development of the Japanese film industry..."

"The history of the film industry cannot be without people like you who contribute silently!"

Hearing this, Toshitaro Yamanaka was a little moved:

"Yes, I have devoted my whole life to it..."

"Yamanaka-san, do you have any family?"

"No..."

"..."

Shuichi Ito and Ikuo Suo chatted with Toshitaro Yamanaka for a while. Next, Atsuko Yama and Otomo Yoshimura walked into the room, gave an explanation for this sum of money, and also promised to provide convenience in Tree Friend's projects... Finally, they took out a kraft paper envelope containing 1 million from their bag:

"Yamanaka-san... This is the assistance for old actors from our Tokyo Film Industry Association, Tree Friend Support Fund... I hope it can make your life easier..."

"Arigato!"

Toshitaro Yamanaka took the envelope, and after feeling the thickness, the gratitude on his face became even more sincere.

1 million, this is the money that could only be earned in the past six months!

In the end, the very grateful Toshitaro Yamanaka took photos with the heads of the Tokyo Film Industry Association. Today's assistance was officially completed.

On the car back, Otomo Yoshimura instructed Yusei Shimizu:

"Yusei-kun, the report on this public welfare activity should be issued as soon as possible, especially to notify all members... Everyone is in the entertainment industry. If you encounter media interviews, try to publicize the positive image of our association..."

"Hai, I understand!"

"This is just the beginning... There will be more publicity reports in the future..."

Otomo Yoshimura actually didn't like this kind of showy publicity, but there was no way, this was the way to do things... And, the Tree Friend Support Fund itself really gave money!

Instead of like some charitable funds, which only ask for donations and assistance... but in fact, no one knows where these donations have gone.

After returning to Tree Friend, Otomo Yoshimura was still discussing with Shuichi Ito:

"After the first news appearance of the support, the virtue of the Tokyo Film Industry Association was shown... The association's work can be considered to have had a positive start..."

"But next, we have to pick a stubborn disease in the film industry and call for rectification... Only then can we show our authority..."

Shuichi Ito nodded:

"And we can't pick those stubborn diseases that offend too many people... such as raising basic treatment..."

"We must stand for all practitioners in the film industry themselves..."

"..."

After thinking for a while, Shuichi Ito said:

"I actually think Naoki-san's approach to Momoe Yamaguchi is worth learning from!"

"??"

"We can call for the protection of artists' privacy!"

Shuichi Ito felt more and more wise as he spoke:

"Fighting against sasaeng fans, paparazzi who sneak photos, etc.!"

"But... some artists and agencies might be acquiescing, right?" Otomo Yoshimura asked. "There is also hype, increasing heat..."

"Ignore those... At least for retired artists, or those involving non-industry personnel, we must resolutely resist!"

"Our Tokyo Film Industry Association wants to represent the entire Japanese film circle, at least we can start from this point!"

"Hmm... It's not impossible~"

Otomo Yoshimura nodded,

"However, we still have to discuss it with Naoki-san... The method he used to help Momoe Yamaguchi coordinate cannot be popularized!"

"Yes... think about whether it can be better..."

In the courtyard of Shan Ying Yuan, little Xia Hua was carrying a small doll and walking around on the grass.

And Akina was bending over, reaching out to protect the area around her daughter, occasionally reaching out to support her, worried that her daughter, who had just learned to walk, would fall.

Now little Xia Hua could walk steadily on a flat surface, but grass was still a bit difficult, but it was expected that she would be able to chase cats and dogs in a few months...

"Ma... Ha..."

Little Xia Hua made vague sounds in her mouth that didn't know what they meant, and sometimes her little hands would point to a blade of grass, a stone, or a leaf, looking up to remind her mother.

And Akina also responded with a smile every time, saying things like "what a green little grass", anyway, she was coaxing...

Mari Nonaka, who was carrying a fruit plate to the eaves, saw this scene and seemed to recall the scene of bringing up her daughter when she was young, feeling a burst of emotion:

"Akina-san, you've been walking for a long time, right? Come and eat some fruit!"

"Good~" Akina responded, then squatted down and said to Xia Hua, "Hua-chan, how about we go eat something delicious?"

Now Xia Hua, because she had stopped breastfeeding, in addition to supplementary food, had begun to try various other foods...

"Ah~~"

Little Xia Hua indicated that there was no problem and opened her arms towards Akina. She could already understand some words~

"Ha, Hua-chan is so smart!"

Akina held little Xia Hua and sat down on the eaves, then ate the kiwi cut by Mari Nonaka, and the portion for Xia Hua was cut in half, and it had to be mashed into a paste with a spoon before it could be fed to Xia Hua~

A breeze blew, and the cherry blossoms in the courtyard fell one after another, the petals floating with the wind, beautiful beyond words~

"Akina-chan has been much more relaxed these days~"

Mari Nonaka chatted with Akina,

"You can take Xia Hua out to play every day..."

"Because the old songs have passed the peak of sales, and the next song hasn't come out yet. So I can relax a bit..."

Akina said.

If it were before, this period would naturally be to go to various parts of the country for touring promotion, holding fan meetings, etc., at least to sell a little more. The agency would not let the artist be so idle.

"That's just right... There are quite a few activities in the cherry blossom season. Does Akina-chan want to go see them?"

Mari Nonaka said,

"Meguro River's cherry blossom festival... I heard there is a very grand carnival activity..."

"If it's just me, forget it~"

Akina shook her head. With her popularity, if she were recognized, it might cause a sensation. At that time, it would be uncertain whether people would look at the cherry blossoms or her.

"Eh... That's a pity... Meguro River seems to have renovated the lighting system, and the night cherry blossoms there are very good..."

"Night cherry blossoms..."

Speaking of watching cherry blossoms at night, Akina suddenly remembered that her second meeting with Naoki Nagayama was at the night cherry blossoms of Meguro River!

At that time, she was still an unknown idol trainee, sneaking out to play with her sisters... And at that time, she still thought Naoki Nagayama was a guy who would lie!

Thinking of this, the corners of Akina's mouth curled up slightly, feeling a bit nostalgic~

And at this moment, little Xia Hua, who was sitting in her mother's arms, finished the sweet and sour kiwi and was originally waiting for her mother to feed her, but she didn't see the next spoonful for a long time...

After looking up at her mother, she saw that her mother seemed to be stunned... Even when she moved twice, there was no reaction...

"Ma... Ah... Ma... Hmm... Ma... Ah..."

Little Xia Hua was very anxious, shouting messy sounds in her mouth. Finally, after a few times, she shouted coherent sentences,

"Mama~"

"?"

Akina lowered her head in surprise, staring at her daughter's little face:

"Hua-chan... What did you say?"

"Ma... Mama~" Little Xia Hua patted her arm to indicate that she wanted to eat fruit~

"Eh? Eh eh eh~~~"

Akina suddenly put down the spoon and half a kiwi she had dug halfway, happily holding her daughter's armpits,

"Hua-chan... Say it again!!!"

"Ma... Ma..."

Little Xia Hua was extremely aggrieved. I called Mama clearly to eat kiwi, why did she put down the fruit and hold me now!

"Ah~~~ Hahaha~~~"

Akina happily kissed her daughter's little face, then held Xia Hua in her arms, and said to Mari Nonaka beside her with a face full of pride,

"Mari-san... Hua-chan called me Mama!!"

"Haha, Hua-chan can talk, and she called Mama first!!! I want to tell Naoki-san!!"

"..."

Mari Nonaka shook her head. She knew that this young couple was secretly competing, just to see whether little Xia Hua called Mama first or Papa first... and they were doing it very seriously!

Every time Naoki Nagayama accompanied her to play, he would secretly use toys to lure little Xia Hua to call Papa...

"Wait, I want to record it first!"

Akina originally wanted to make a phone call, but now she went to get a recorder first... In an entertainment family, isn't it simple to find a recorder!

Then she ran over again, lured little Xia Hua with kiwi for a while, and until she recorded little Xia Hua's clear "Mama", she went to make the phone call with satisfaction!

At the Ota Ward filming set, Naoki Nagayama's mobile phone just rang... So the crew took a short break~

The power of a director is just that great!

And after Naoki Nagayama finished the phone call and came back, everyone in the crew felt that Naoki Nagayama's mood was very low...

"Naoki-san, what's wrong?"

Assistant director Shizhi Kijima asked first,

"Did something happen?!"

"..." Naoki Nagayama paused and wiped his face helplessly, "Lost an important game!!!"

"I knew it, now that I'm filming a movie, this kind of thing might happen!"

"..." Shizhi Kijima was speechless, "What exactly happened?"

"Little Xia Hua can call Mama!"

"..." Shizhi Kijima was stunned for a moment, then reacted, "Isn't this a good thing?!"

"What is it!! My daughter opened her mouth first, it should be Papa!!!"

Naoki Nagayama said angrily,

"I was almost successful two nights ago! Akina actually stole the house today!!"

"Sure enough... filming *Departures* at this time is a mistake!"

"..."

Shizhi Kijima couldn't help but shake his head after hearing his words... Naoki Nagayama, a great director, actually values whether his child calls Papa or Mama first more than filming a movie!

Can Tree Friend really develop and grow under the leadership of such a person...

It seems that in the future, Tree Friend will have to rely on directors like himself, the middle-aged faction, who focus on their careers!

The current Naoki Nagayama, even if it is a word or an attitude, can change the atmosphere of the entire crew... Just happened to hear this last sentence "filming *Departures* at this time is a mistake", and passed it to another...

Even the male and female leads, Tomokazu Miura and Momoe Yamaguchi, thought that their previous performances were not to Naoki-san's satisfaction...

However, according to Naoki-san's previous operations, he would point it out on the spot, right? How could it reach the point of "filming *Departures* at this time is a mistake"?!

Not long after, the atmosphere of the entire crew became heavy, and the crew members spoke and moved much lighter... Everyone didn't want to attract Naoki Nagayama's attention at this time...

Just at this time, Chikako Aoyama from the *Long Vacation* crew next door originally wanted to take advantage of the break to bring Masaharu Fukuyama to visit the set... by the way, to see her former idol Momoe Yamaguchi...

After pushing the door open, she saw that the *Departures* crew had fallen into a standstill, and Naoki Nagayama, as the director, was sitting on the director's chair with a heavy face, seeming to be angry...

"Chikako-san... Let's forget it..."

Masaharu Fukuyama had little contact with Naoki Nagayama and was a bit worried when he saw this scene,

"It seems like Nagayama-san is very unhappy..."

"Hmm... Maybe the filming is not going well."

Chikako Aoyama also gave up the idea,

"Sure enough, Naoki-san is a very serious and earnest director when filming!"

"It should be... Director Nagayama has such a big reputation..."

"Let's come back next time!"

Saying this, Chikako Aoyama and Masaharu Fukuyama slipped back quietly.

And after a while, the entire park knew that Naoki Nagayama was furious on set because *Departures* filming was not going well!

Even Park Director Katsuyoshi Ishikawa increased the intensity of patrols at the gate, resolutely not letting people sneak in...

(End of chapter) ===== CHAPTER 1183 =====