Chapter 1270

When Naoki Nagayama returned to Sanyoin, Akina was mixing cocktails for Michael and his group at the bar in the large living room.

Characteristic city pop music echoed in the living room, filled with the hustle and bustle and psychedelia of Japan's bubble era, which was extremely distinctive.

"Compared to the funk/disco music popular in the US right now, the melody is softer, with elements of rock and jazz..."

Michael Jackson, while teasing little Xiaohua who was no longer afraid of him, commented on the music,

"It sounds like urban romance, a feeling of enjoying life...."

The pop king had high musical literacy and immediately hit the nail on the head regarding the characteristics of city pop.

Currently, city pop was just a small genre in Japanese music; it didn't even have a specialized definition as a musical genre, and it wasn't very famous abroad~

"It's a type of song currently popular in Japan...."

Akina brought the cocktails over and handed them to the group, but she only took a glass of fruit juice herself; after all, she was pregnant and couldn't drink alcohol,

"Naoki-san likes to listen to it while driving...."

"Haha, it's indeed very suitable for driving and cruising...." The translator, Sora Komatsu, nodded in agreement, "Especially when by the seaside..."

Just at this moment, Naoki Nagayama had already arrived in the living room:

"Sorry, something came up at the company, I'm late...."

He apologized slightly to the guests and then asked with a smile:

"Michael, has Akina already taken you to tour Sanyoin?"

"Yes." Michael Jackson stood up, "Naoki's home is very beautiful...... It gave me many new ideas for my Neverland Ranch."

"It's a pity you came a bit early. When the cherry blossoms in my yard bloom in mid-to-late October, Sanyoin will truly live up to its name...."

Naoki Nagayama picked up little Xiaohua, sat on a stool, and chatted with everyone.

The perspective of escaping the era and so many years of reading, combined with practice in the entertainment and financial industries, made Naoki Nagayama's views very novel and full of foresight. Not only Michael Jackson, but the assistant and translator accompanying him also nodded repeatedly.

Time passed quickly in the comfortable atmosphere until evening. The two nannies at home, plus Akina, prepared a table of delicious dishes to entertain the guests.

Michael's originally fast-paced tour schedule slowed down in Sanyoin, and his spirit relaxed quite a bit; this was more delightful than any alcohol or revelry.

By the time the sunset tilted to the end and the remaining glow carried a hint of weariness, Michael Jackson prepared to leave.

"Work continues tomorrow..... I need to go back!"

Michael Jackson looked at Sanyoin in the dusk, filled with emotion,

"In a home like this, it really makes one want to stay for a long time~"

"Then build a home of your own!"

Naoki Nagayama said with a smile,

"Michael, you have already achieved success and fame; it's time to build a family of your own."

"A home of my own...."

Michael Jackson fell into deep thought. At his stage, wanting love and wanting to build a family required considering too many things....

At this moment, Akina brought over three books, and Naoki Nagayama took them and handed them to the group:

"I don't have anything else as a souvenir; this is a novel I wrote..... Keep it as a memento!"

The group took them. On the cover was the English title "Jurassic Park," and on the title page was Naoki Nagayama's signature.

"Thank you very much!"

Michael Jackson smiled and patted the novel in his hand,

"I will treasure it!"

Then he and the group got into the car they had arrived in.

With the opening and closing of the iron gate, this long-scheduled visit finally came to an end~

After returning to the living room, Naoki Nagayama discovered that little Xiaohua's eyes were already squinting on the sofa; it was clear she was sleepy.

For a child of this age, eating and then sleeping is a very normal thing~

"Naoki-san, I'll take Hua-chan to wash up first....."

"Hmm...."

After entering October, the drop in temperature began to become obvious. When going out in the morning, one already needed to add an extra layer of clothing.

However, Tokyo became increasingly lively. Besides young people being more willing to go out, more and more foreign tourists were coming to Tokyo. In the Minato area, foreigners from Europe and America could be seen everywhere.

The Tokyo International Film Festival, superimposed with the appeal of Michael Jackson's world tour, made people all over the world focus their attention here.

And the entertainment industry remained very lively. For example, right now, in the lobby of Ken-On's headquarters, Hiroshi Hanamura was announcing news to the media reporters:

"After confirmation, Ms. Akina Nakamori is indeed pregnant, for over three weeks...."

The sound of shutters clicking incessantly, and the surrounding reporters recorded this official statement one after another.

Although this matter had already been exposed by paparazzi, what was published before were all tabloid newspapers. Other mainstream media, like the "Yomiuri Shimbun" and "Asahi Shimbun," all had a consensus with Naoki Nagayama and wouldn't report these things.....

Then came the reporters' interview time~

"May I ask if Akina-chan's pregnancy will affect the collaboration with Michael Jackson in a few days?"

Hiroshi Hanamura shook his head:

"No, Akina-chan will still appear on stage to meet with fans!"

"Will Akina-chan's pregnancy this time affect her subsequent work?...... Will she retire?!"

"No..... However, child-rearing will take up a large part of her energy. Akina-chan will reduce the time spent on appearances and other work...."

"..... Will she still appear on the Kohaku Uta Gassen at the end of the year?"

"No, she won't..."

"....."

All kinds of questions were thrown at Hiroshi Hanamura, and he had long been prepared, answering them one by one in an orderly manner.

Until a reporter opened his mouth to ask something else:

"I heard Ken-On sued the tabloid that previously reported Akina's pregnancy news. Is that true?"

"....."

Hiroshi Hanamura was stunned, but still nodded,

"That is indeed the case. Ken-On will do its utmost to protect the legitimate rights of the artists under its banner. Privacy rights and portrait rights are basic rights!"

"Then, may I ask what about the right to freedom of the press and the public's right to know?"

"Freedom of the press does not mean one can violate the law, and the public's right to know should also have clear boundaries..... Akina-chan's personal privacy does not belong to public affairs....."

Hiroshi Hanamura was already a bit angry, and his tone became a bit tough.

Although it is an unspoken rule for artists to be secretly photographed, since it is an unspoken rule, it cannot be said openly!

It doesn't matter if some things aren't brought to the table, but once they are, who knows how heavy the consequences might be!

The surrounding reporters fell into a brief silence and pause, and then they heard that reporter continue to speak:

"I heard the two paparazzi who did the shooting were beaten up and then had their heads shaved bald..... President Hanamura, what do you think?"

I'll pull up a stool, eat some melon seeds, and watch!

Such thoughts popped into Hiroshi Hanamura's mind, but facing the media, he naturally couldn't appear so gloating:

"There's such a thing?"

"Then I suggest they call the police to handle it!"

"In this day and age, the yakuza are really too rampant.... They need the police-san to manage them well!"

"......."

The questioning reporter was blocked and couldn't speak. He was actually a friend of the two paparazzi. Seeing the miserable state of the two over the past two days, he wanted to speak up for them in front of the media~

"Everyone knows this is actually revenge!"

Hiroshi Hanamura saw that this reporter seemed a bit stunned and could only shake his head:

"Don't slander people casually.... Who do you say is taking revenge?!"

"Isn't it just....."

Before the name could leave his mouth, the reporter saw the excited and expectant expression on Hiroshi Hanamura's face, as well as the words he had just deliberately incited..... He was shocked!

If he had said Naoki Nagayama's name in front of so many reporters, then what awaited him would be a lawsuit for public defamation!!!

The kind of defamation with solid evidence that couldn't be argued against!

Given Naoki Nagayama's current fame and status, he might not only have to pay money but also go to jail! And after coming out, he would lose his job, have no income, his wife would divorce him, he wouldn't be able to pay his mortgage, and he would end up homeless.....

Finally, on a snowy night, he would tremble and freeze to death under a bridge.....

After realizing this, his back was instantly soaked with sweat!

"Isn't it just righteous people who can't stand their behavior punishing evil and promoting good!!"

"......" "Hehe" "So eloquent!" "Impressive...."

Other reporters applauded this guy's flexibility in their hearts!

Hiroshi Hanamura in front of the stage also looked over in surprise. He didn't expect this reporter to react so quickly; he had only wanted to scare him a little to teach him a lesson~

However, the press conference continued, and he didn't pay too much attention to this reporter anymore:

"Akina will still participate in this year's Japan Record Awards..... I hope everyone will support her..."

"In addition, taking this opportunity, I would also like to announce one thing..... Yukiko Okada under Ken-On has been confirmed to participate in this year's Kohaku Uta Gassen...."

"......."

Time came to the afternoon~

In Japan's National Diet Building, Noboru Takeshita was delivering his speech for the LDP presidential election. LDP members from the House of Councillors and the House of Representatives had all arrived at the scene....

"If I am elected, I will prioritize the well-being of all Japanese people and lead the country's development cautiously and carefully....."

"Promote tax reform....", "Improve the economic structure....", "Enhance Japan's status internationally....", "....."

Noboru Takeshita spoke eloquently on stage. Having already gained the support of Nakasone and with the full support of the Takeshita faction, he actually wasn't worried about any problems in the LDP presidential election.

There was simply no one who could compete with him!

As long as the election proceeded step by step, as long as he succeeded as president step by step, as long as he could become Japan's next Prime Minister step by step, he would climb to the very top of the political arena!!!

"I hope to receive the support of everyone in the party!!"

As the last sentence was finished, applause rang out from the audience, and it seemed as if it had truly become a matter of course~

And just as they were waiting to proceed to the next step, the voting.....

With a "bang," the side door of the Diet was pushed open violently, and a young man ran toward the Speaker of the House of Representatives, who was also the host of this conference, Kenjiro Hara, in a great hurry.

Now everyone's eyes were focused on him, and Noboru Takeshita's gaze was even filled with some dissatisfaction...... To be so clumsy on such an important occasion and at such a time!

Young man, no matter who you are..... your political career is going to be difficult from now on!! I said it!

However, after the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Kenjiro Hara, heard the young man's whisper, his expression instantly became serious.

And after taking the newspaper handed over by the young man, his face even turned a bit pale!

"Clap clap clap clap...."

The sound of the wooden gavel hitting the table made the venue gradually quiet down. Seeing Kenjiro Hara take a few deep breaths, he said to the LDP members:

"Colleagues..... the LDP is in trouble!!"

His words left many people unable to react for a moment, looking at each other in confusion and unable to speak.

However, some steady and experienced members spoke up:

"Speaker Hara, what happened?"

"What happened?" Kenjiro Hara held up the newspaper in his hand, "The evening edition of the 'Asahi Shimbun' reported on its front page the latest news involving the Recruit bribery scandal within the LDP!"

"Except for the thirteen members of the Diet last time, this time they are all LDP members. Over 50 people within the LDP are involved!!!

It even includes some high-ranking party officials holding important positions!"

After finishing, Kenjiro Hara paused and looked at Noboru Takeshita, who had just finished his campaign speech:

"The most important of whom is the one currently running for LDP president....... Noboru Takeshita!!"

"!!!", "Ah?!!", "How could this be?!", "......"

Some members who were not involved gasped in shock, while others who were involved turned pale, cold sweat streaming down.....

And as the highest-ranking person involved, when Noboru Takeshita saw his headshot become the cover photo of the "Asahi Shimbun," his whole brain buzzed, all his thoughts were muddled, and he could only stare blankly at that newspaper......

For a long time, after being called by others in the Takeshita faction, he finally came to his senses, and what followed was extreme anger!

"This is slander! This is defamation!"

"How dare the 'Asahi Shimbun'!"

"How could they report such a thing?!"

"This is a frame-up! This is a frame-up by political rivals! Fake News!!!"

"......"

After a vent, Noboru Takeshita finally calmed down a little and snatched the newspaper from the Speaker's hand to read it.

He saw that the report briefly sorted out the cause and effect of the Recruit bribery scandal, and then it was all bombshells, especially the details of his bribery.....

1985, 1986 to 1987..... adding up one by one, he received a total of over 200 million yen in bribes!!

Noboru Takeshita looked at the items and times listed above, and he knew it was true without checking!

At this moment, he only felt his head dizzy, even feeling like he was going to faint..... But after all, he was a bigwig who had dominated the political arena for decades, so he forcibly sobered himself up and continued reading the report.

Besides him, there were Prime Minister Nakasone, Minister of Finance Kiichi Miyazawa, LDP Secretary-General Shintaro Abe...... It was almost as if they were going to wipe out the entire high-level government!

"There must be a high-level mole among us!!!"

This was the first thought that popped into Noboru Takeshita's mind.

Then he couldn't figure it out. Since he knew all these things, it meant he must be one of them. Why would he dig his own grave?!

Could it be a sudden pang of conscience?!

And at this moment, more and more members in the venue received the news through various channels, and some secretaries even broke in to deliver newspapers!

The noise in the venue grew louder and louder, and some LDP members who were considered clean even started cursing at the few people who had been nominated!

The timing chosen by the "Asahi Shimbun" was clearly intentional, and there were pushers from the opposition party behind it..... They wanted to strike a heavy blow to the Takeshita faction and the LDP at the critical moment of the election!

Now, what could the LDP do within the party? Close their eyes and pretend not to see, and forcibly continue to push for a tainted president?!

What about the subsequent Prime Minister election?!

Should all members close their eyes and continue to elect a tainted Prime Minister?!

Should the whole country close their eyes and accept a government cabinet full of stains?!

Now...... the LDP, the Takeshita faction, and Noboru Takeshita have all been pushed onto the fire!!!

"What should we do?"

"What should we do now?!"

"What are we going to do?"

"....."

Various voices were interrogating the true core backbone of the party..... By this time, everyone even felt that the big ship of the LDP was about to sink!

"Bang bang bang!"

Speaker Kenjiro Hara hammered the wooden gavel hard at this time,

"Quiet!!"

"Next, the backbone of the Takeshita faction, Tanaka faction, and Fukuda faction, go to the small room to discuss!"

"Others, the presidential election is suspended; do not express opinions to the media for the time being!"

"....."

Sure enough, major events can only be discussed by a few people!

A dozen of the LDP's true core members gathered in the small room next to the venue and discussed this major accident.

"If this isn't handled well, the LDP might really split!"

"The opposition party will definitely contact the neutral faction within the party..... they might establish a new party!"

"First of all....."

Kenjiro Hara reminded,

"We must first confirm whether this report is true or not?!"

He looked around at the few people mentioned in the report, and seeing them all avoid his eyes, he could only sigh:

"Sigh...... a bunch of..... baka!"

Taking a few deep breaths, Kenjiro Hara calmed his mood and began to divide:

"Everyone used secretaries, right? You weren't stupid enough to put the money into your own accounts, were you?!"

Seeing everyone shake their heads, he nodded:

"Then it's very clear: cut ties, deny, drag it out...... resign where appropriate......"

"Backbone members of the factions, go contact the media to say nice things, and prepare to bow collectively.... ah no, dogeza (prostrate)!!"

The level of bowing can no longer save the situation; this time it must be dogeza!

"Go back and study the formal posture of dogeza!!!"

"Then notify the media to shift public attention elsewhere!

It just so happens there's Michael Jackson's concert and the Tokyo International Film Festival...... Oh, right, didn't Akina Nakamori get pregnant again? Promote that well....

This pregnancy is truly a godsend!!!

When the child is born, all of you should give a big red envelope to express your gratitude!!!"

He then turned to look at Noboru Takeshita, who had been silent since just now:

"Takeshita-san..... it seems there's no way for this term as Prime Minister....."

Noboru Takeshita nodded woodenly:

"I understand!"

"Hmm....." Kenjiro Hara looked at the others, "I think the opposition party's actions this time might not be over yet..... Everyone be careful these few days!"

"Hai~" XN

The LDP bigwigs gathered in this small room and discussed until late at night, and naturally, they discussed many other measures to minimize the losses from this turmoil.....

By the evening, Prime Minister Nakasone and other cabinet members who originally had official duties also rushed back to the National Diet Building and came to the room to discuss together.

This night, many people surely had no heart to sleep!