Chapter 690 – Public Apology
Sony’s Chairman, Akio Morita agreed to the conditions set by the Prime Minister readily as their losses were not a lot. Also, Sony had nothing to do with this incident. They now depended solely on their brand name. If their brand was destroyed, then Sony will be finished.
To date, there was still no multi-billion company that went bankrupt.
Toshiba, which had discussed with Sony, immediately expressed that they were willing to apologize and compensate. They were also willing to let other companies take over their factories. But in return, they wanted the Japanese Government to give them some orders.
In conclusion, Toshiba wanted the Government to compensate them for some of their losses. The factories that caused the most severe pollution were not them also. It was those chemical factories. Toshiba’s factories in China was only built not long ago, and the damage caused was not as severe as the reports.
After a lengthy discussion, all the companies agreed.
Tomiichi Murayama immediately submits this proposal to the parliament, and the parliament approved. This was the best solution for now. Maybe, they might find a better solution if they had the time, but they had no more time now. The longer they take, the more losses they incurred. Those companies’ share prices were still plunging.
……
Norio Ohga was the first to make the public apology as the Acting President of Sony. He announced that Sony do not have any factories in China and all the China produced products were produced by other factories on behalf of Sony. Many of those factories were China companies. Also, Sony will never allow their factories to damage the environment like what happened in China. Sony will donate 1 million USD to help those that fell sick due to the pollution.
This statement let Sony stand on higher moral grounds and also change the public’s impression of them. This will pave the way for them to return to the Chinese market.
The impact of this statement was still unknown, but Sony share prices had stabilized for the time being. It did not continue to drop.
After Sony, Toshiba’s person-in-charge of their Asia operations also made a public apology. He apologized for his lack of supervision over those factories, and Toshiba was willing to compensate. The compensation amount will be discussed with the Chinese Government.
But Feng Yu felt the share prices were not low enough. He should do more to let those companies’ share prices drop further.
……
Why was the person-in-charge of China operations apologizing? This person’s position in the company was very low despite the factories in China, making high profits for their company.
If someone had to apologize, it should be at least the President of the company. Even the Chairman of the company should come out and apologize! We do not accept this apology!
The newspaper reported this view and the public anger, which had started to subside, started again.
The Chinese government had also issued a statement, demanding the top person of those companies to apologize. The most senior leader of the Japan government must also apologize to China!
The Chinese were pleased and expressed their support for their Government. The Chinese government was firm in their stance, and the Chinese were proud.
Feng Yu was thinking to himself. Luckily the internet was still in the initial stage, and there were not many Chinese netizens now. If not, there will be a war of words over the internet!
Feng Yu had expected the Japanese companies to behave this way. But he firmly believes that if the Chinese Government stand firm on their demands, the other party will give in. Those companies might not care about the Chinese Government, but the Japanese Government cannot ignore China’s demands. If relationships between China and Japan deteriorate, it will be a killing blow to Japan’s economy.
This was a big crisis for Japan and the US, which was Japan’s backing, had not issued any statements on this issue. This was because the US also did not support Japan in this incident. The pictures and video footages were proof of Japan’s companies wrongdoings.
Russia and Germany, which had close ties with China, also expressed support for China and made things more difficult for the Japanese Government.
Tomiichi Murayama was going crazy. He thought that after those companies apologize, he would be able to contact Iron Fist Zhu, or appeased the other party’s anger. He would then represent Japan to give some benefits to China, and this incident would be over.
If this issue were still not settled, Tomiichi Murayama would ask some of the cabinet ministers to apologize. He wants to avoid coming out to apologize and face China.
But now, things were different from his plan. Those top brass of the companies did not come out to apologize, and Tomiichi Murayama could no longer hide behind everyone. China’s foreign ministry had issued a statement demanding the top leader of the Japanese Government to apologize. He could not ask the Emperor to make a public apology.
If Tomiichi Murayama dares to ask the Emperor to apologize, then it will be his last day as the Prime Minister.
Tomiichi Murayama immediately calls the chairmen of those companies. The President of those companies apologizing now was not enough. The Chairmen of those companies must apologize!
The President of Japanese companies were like CEO, and the Chairman was equivalent to the Chairman of the board of directors. This incident could be settled with the President of the companies apologizing. But now, China demands the Chairman of those companies to come out and apologize to them. These were all because of their own stupidity.
The Japanese cabinet also starts to pressure those companies to force the Chairmen of those companies to make public apologies. If not, their companies will be penalized.
…….
“Brother Feng, do you think the Prime Minister of Japan will come out and apologize?” Fu Guangzheng asked.
“He must. If he still does not apologize, then China and Japan will fall out. Japan cannot afford for this to happen.” Feng Yu replied confidently.
“Those few companies have been contacting us. They want us to let them have access to our ports.” Li Zekai said proudly. The Li family controls more than 60% of the ports. Those companies have no choice but to bow down to them. Especially at times like this.
“Hahaha. Serve them right. They created this mess for themselves. They really think they can step all over the Chinese?” Fu Guangzheng said angrily, and everyone nodded.
“Why is Japan’s Emperor, not the one that comes out to apologize? iI would be best if he kneels down and apologizes.” Fu Guangzheng laughed.
Feng Yu shook his head. “It is impossible for their Emperor to apologize. But we can expect their Prime Minister to apologize with a 90 degrees bow. To be honest, China is not strong enough. If this incident happens in the US, then the Emperor might come out. I believe that in 10 years, China will be one of the superpowers in the world.”
“Is 10 years enough?” Fu Guangzheng raised his brows.
“It’s enough!” Feng Yu believed that China will develop faster than his previous life!
“Director, hurry up and watch the news. Something great is happening now!” Fu Guangzheng’s secretary rushed into the room without knocking.
“What’s on the news?” Fu Guangzheng frowned and asked.
The Secretary switched on the TV in the meeting room and replied excitedly. “Japan’s Prime Minister is making an apology live on TV!”