Chapter 471

After Prime Minister Okazaki took office.

Thanks to quantitative easing and a weak yen, the exports of Japanese companies increased significantly, and the Nikkei index more than doubled.

In response, Prime Minister Okazaki boasted, "Japan is back." But that is now a thing of the past.

The repercussions of the stock market crash caused by Kang Jin-hoo's selling of Toyota shares after the strong earthquake continue to this day. The Nikkei index, which had broken 20,000, showed no signs of recovery and was now on the verge of falling below the 15,000 mark.

This was not just due to financial instability, but because the poor performance of Japanese companies had become serious since the Korea-Japan trade dispute.

The bigger problem is that this is just the beginning.

South Korean conglomerates, in partnership with OTK Company, are fostering materials and parts companies based on their huge profits.

This was returning as a blade aimed at Japan's basic industries. In fact, foreign companies with a large volume of transactions with OTK Company's subsidiaries were cautiously increasing their transactions with Korean companies.

Technics went bankrupt, and even large corporations were faltering. Small and medium-sized enterprises were screaming and demanding government countermeasures.

In this situation, the construction of a gas pipeline and railway on the Korean Peninsula, proceeding as a South-North-Russia economic cooperation project, was another piece of bad news.

From Japan's perspective, the best thing to do is not to do it and to stop it if possible, but if it's something that can't be stopped anyway, they should at least get a piece of the pie. But to do so, they first need to resolve the claims agreement.

But in this situation, Kang Jin-hoo had turned the comfort women issue into an international one.

Prime Minister Okazaki gritted his teeth.

‘Is he trying to diminish Japan's power in East Asia, both politically and economically?’

If he mishandled this, Japan could really lose its influence in Asia and be pushed aside.

He had hoped that China would step in and interfere, but China was taking a cautious stance, as if to watch the situation a little longer.

This was probably also because they were wary of Kang Jin-hoo.

Until just a short time ago, his goal was constitutional amendment. But now, far from amending the constitution, he could not even be sure of the next general election.

‘To think that I would have such a headache because of one Korean.’

Although Japan left the Korean Peninsula after its defeat in the war, the influence of its colonial rule still remains, affecting various parts of Korean society, including the media, academia, business, politics, and the legal profession.

Some media outlets wrote articles favorable to Japan, some scholars taught students a colonial view of history, and some politicians represented Japan's position.

Companies also borrowed Japanese funds and wanted access to the huge Japanese market. Therefore, no businessperson could directly antagonize Japan.

However, Kang Jin-hoo was a completely different being.

‘What on earth is this guy thinking?’

As Prime Minister Okazaki was racking his brains, Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinji Hayashi spoke.

"You don't need to worry too much. You know the habits of Koreans well, don't you?"

"The habits of Koreans?"

"My grandfather always said. The best way to handle Koreans is to use Koreans."

Chief Cabinet Secretary Shinji Hayashi has a deep connection with Korea.

His grandfather operated the Hayashi Mine during the Japanese colonial period and made a fortune by bringing in Korean laborers for forced labor.

"Koreans are the type to rebel when suppressed. They will quiet down if you give them what they want, so why is there a need to fight? The reason Japan was able to easily annex Korea in the past was because Koreans who wanted it actively helped Japan."

Prime Minister Okazaki immediately understood what he meant.

In the world, there are plenty of people who prioritize their personal interests over their country's.

"No matter how good the conditions offered, would Kang Jin-hoo reverse his position so far and side with us?"

If he did that, the honor he had built up would fall to the ground. There is no reason for Kang Jin-hoo to take such a risk.

"We don't need to hope for that much. We just need Kang Jin-hoo to maintain his current stance while slightly shifting in a direction favorable to Japan. After all, investors follow the money. Also, isn't it true that Kang Jin-hoo is not that close to the South Korean government? Japan must exploit that gap."

Japan is, now as in the past, a global economic powerhouse. The nation's wealth and market size are also incomparable to South Korea's.

If he wants money, give him money; if he wants honor, give him honor.

‘What if I can win over Kang Jin-hoo and make him Japan's ally?’

Then, all the problems Japan is currently facing could be solved at once.

Prime Minister Okazaki's eyes lit up.

"I'll have to meet Kang Jin-hoo in person and strike a deal."

An unscheduled Korea-Japan summit was held.

Prime Minister Okazaki visited South Korea, and the leaders of the two countries shook hands at the Blue House. Although they had spoken briefly when they met at international events before, this was the first formal meeting since the trade dispute that began with Japan's export restrictions.

As it was a Korea-Japan summit held at a sensitive time, the world's attention was focused on it.

After the first day of the summit, Prime Minister Okazaki spoke to the press.

"I had a deep conversation with President Heo Chang-min. Both countries have promised to cooperate closely on this matter."

However, President Heo Chang-min said something completely different.

"We agreed on the point that South Korea and Japan must move beyond the past and toward the future. To do so, an open attitude to resolving past issues is first necessary. South Korea is always ready to join hands."

During the summit, Prime Minister Okazaki toured South Korean companies and factories and met with South Korean businesspeople.

The first place he visited was the Seosung Electronics semiconductor factory. Prime Minister Okazaki admired South Korea's semiconductor technology and emphasized cooperation with Japanese companies.

This was something that was hard to see until recently.

Taek-gyu, who was watching this on TV, asked.

"Is Japan having a hard time these days?"

"They are."

After the Korea-Japan trade dispute, exports to South Korea decreased, many companies turned to deficits, and some went bankrupt.

As South Korean companies kept reducing their imports, the Prime Minister himself went out to make sales.

Of course, that wouldn't make them increase their orders again now... but it would at least appeal to the failing Japanese companies that the Prime Minister was trying so hard.

Among the companies Prime Minister Okazaki visited was OTK Company. This was probably his real purpose.

"There's no reason not to meet."

I accepted the invitation to visit.

Taek-gyu also joined, and we decided to have Team Leader Jung Gi-hong handle our interpretation. Of course, Prime Minister Okazaki would bring his own interpreter, but this was better to convey our position clearly.

When he heard my words, Team Leader Jung Gi-hong was startled.

"Excuse me? Me?"

"You're good at Japanese."

Team Leader Jung Gi-hong waved his hands.

"Ah, no, that's just business-level. I'm not skilled enough to interpret at such an important meeting."

"This is also a kind of business."

He probably never imagined he would be interpreting for the Prime Minister of Japan when he was studying Japanese.

Taek-gyu patted Team Leader Jung Gi-hong on the shoulder.

"Don't worry. Just do it comfortably as you always do. You did a great job interpreting for Elder Shigeru without being nervous, so what's the problem with some Okazaki?"

Anyone who heard that would think that President Ichikawa was higher up than Prime Minister Okazaki.

Whether Taek-gyu's words helped a little, Team Leader Jung Gi-hong nodded with a determined expression.

"Ah, I understand. I will do my best."

"Just keep in mind that the future of East Asia and the fate of Korea-Japan relations depend on your interpretation."

"...What?"

As a head of state was visiting, security guards in suits were deployed around the company several hours in advance.

When the time came, I went out to the main gate, and black cars pulled up in front of the company one after another.

Prime Minister Okazaki got out of the car, and we smiled and shook hands.

"Welcome, Prime Minister."

Prime Minister Okazaki grasped my hand.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, CEO Kang Jin-hoo."

I had seen his face countless times in the media, and the same would be true for him. But this was the first time we had met in person.

He looked much older than on TV. The wrinkles on his face had increased, and his hair had turned gray.

He had had a lot to worry about recently.

I showed him around OTK Company, and the media captured the scene on camera.

After the tour of the company, we sat down facing each other.

On our side were me, Taek-gyu, and Team Leader Jung Gi-hong, and on their side were Prime Minister Okazaki and two interpreters.

Unlike South Korea or the United States, which have a presidential system, Japan has a parliamentary system. Due to the nature of the parliamentary system, where the president of the ruling party also serves as the head of the executive branch, there are virtually no term limits.

He was the longest-serving prime minister in the post-war period. How much longer would he be able to sit in that position?

Prime Minister Okazaki said while drinking tea.

"I think CEO Kang Jin-hoo may have a negative perception of Japan."

I smiled and shook my head.

"I think you're misunderstanding something, Prime Minister. I have no particular ill feelings toward Japan. On the contrary, I am well aware that it is an important economic partner."

"A while ago, you visited the House of Sharing."

"Yes. I met with the grandmothers who were forcibly taken as sex slaves for the Japanese military. It was very heartbreaking to hear them say that they wanted to receive an apology from Japan before they closed their eyes."

Prime Minister Okazaki's expression hardened as he spoke.

"Japan has already apologized several times, and through the last comfort women agreement, it was resolved irreversibly and finally. As such, I think it is inappropriate to bring up this issue again."

In a way, the target to which Japan has apologized the most is South Korea. The problem is that after a half-hearted apology, they are acting so brazenly.

"The matter between South Korea and Japan is for the politicians of the two countries to handle, so it is not appropriate for me to comment on it. I am merely advising on the agreement between North Korea and Japan. Since nothing has been resolved between the two countries, we have to start again from the beginning. As we are calculating the amount of compensation for past events, isn't it natural to investigate and publicize what happened in the past? If you wish to skip this process, you can pay the $100 billion in compensation that the North Korean side is thinking of, along with an apology."

It is compensation, not grant aid or a loan. And compensation is money given by the guilty party to compensate for the damages.

Prime Minister Okazaki shook his head.

"$100 billion is absolutely impossible."

I nodded.

"I understand Japan's position well."

"If you understand the position, wouldn't it be logical to present a realistic amount?"

"That is not something I can decide. I am just an investor, and I am only advising on the negotiations. There is not much I can do other than to convey Japan's position well to the North Korean side."

Even if I say this, he will know full well that I hold the key to the Japan-North Korea negotiations.

Prime Minister Okazaki's expression softened as he spoke.

"Today, I came here to request investment in Japan rather than to talk about such things."

Taek-gyu showed interest.

"Investment, all of a sudden?"

"I understand that South Korea has various regulations on autonomous driving and ride-sharing. If OTK Company enters the Japanese market, the Japanese government would like to ease these regulations to create an environment where autonomous vehicles can run, and to provide financial support and tax benefits to attract battery and car factories."

For a moment, my ears perked up.

"In what way?"

"If you enter Japan, we will provide loans at near-zero interest rates, and we will also match the limit and deadline to your wishes. The same support will be provided to related companies in Japan, such as OTK Games and Faceit."

Even if Japan has a zero-interest-rate policy, there is still interest when borrowing money, and there is a limit. But according to this proposal, it's like writing a blank check.

Of course, it wouldn't really be unlimited, but it is clear that these are exceptional conditions that no other company could receive.

"That's a very good offer. We were also very interested in the Japanese market."

Prime Minister Okazaki said in a suggestive voice.

"I believe Japan and OTK Company can be each other's wings."

Taek-gyu said excitedly.

"Oh! If you just open up the market, that would be great for us. We'll enter right away."

As in any country, the automobile industry is a key industry, and because of its significant impact on the economy, it is protected and nurtured by the state.

Of course, they wouldn't just open up such a market to us, even using taxpayers' money, for nothing.

I looked at Prime Minister Okazaki and asked.

"Is there anything you or OTK Company want from me, Prime Minister?"

He had a smile on his lips.

"First, I hope we can work together to resolve the current pending issues. Shouldn't we draw a big picture together for the future development of Japan-Korea relations?"

He's beating around the bush, but I understood what he meant. He wants me to side with Japan.

Japan has a per capita GDP of $40,000 and a domestic market of over 100 million people. If I accept this offer, I can enter this huge market without spending a penny of my own money.

How much more money could I make in the Japanese market?

"Hearing you speak, Prime Minister, reminds me of someone."

"Who is it?"

I asked with a smile.

"Do you happen to know the Eulsa Five Traitors and the Jeongmi Seven Traitors? Or how about Lee Wan-yong or Min Byeong-seok?"

At my words, Prime Minister Okazaki's expression hardened.

"In any country, a person who betrays their country and people is called a traitor. They probably received a similar offer from Japan. The traitors enjoyed wealth and honor for the rest of their lives in exchange for selling out their country to Japan. But I'm different from them."

I'm not trying to say that I love my country and people more, or that I'm more just. The biggest difference between me and the traitors is...

I looked straight at him and said.

"I'm fucking rich."

Taek-gyu nodded his head beside me for no reason.

"He's rich. Fucking rich enough not to have to sell the country."