[Chapter 498: The Devotion of Love]
The delicious fat sheep, Japan, worked hard to farm for decades, was suddenly stripped clean by Uncle Sam. Even the harvests from the next twenty years were taken away.
The game of capital was far too complex; the Japanese were absolutely no match for Uncle Sam.
Despite being sheared of their wool, the Japanese still wore smiles. They really were charming in a way.
But back to the point, the Japanese people had remarkable patience, both men and women alike.
After being hit hard by U.S., they still remained resilient, and decades later, they managed to rise again.
William White recognized this clearly.
As for the aftermath of robbing Japan, of course it was severe.
When it came to negotiations, Uncle Sam was at a loss too, constantly asking for this openness and that. What's the point of being completely open if your businesses have no competitiveness? You might as well just ask how much they want!
Don't you think about how Japan is holding its own?
Well, come on, who are you kidding? Even if you could wriggle out of those debts, it would be impossible to follow Japan's lead. That could be a matter of life or death.
"Is this how it ends? Boss, don't you think Japan has some big trouble now?"
"Heh, what do you mean by that? Right now, it's just a bit of a stock dip; their other economic indicators remain strong. You think there's a problem?"
"Please, I'm no fool. You told me -- don't mess with Japan's real estate."
"Did I say that?"
"Yeah, you said the issue isn't significant; Japan is just too complex. Isn't that plain as day?"
"Alright, fine, I don't remember saying it, but don't let your guard down. Just keep it steady. Relative to that, it's still blue chip stocks like Coca-Cola that are worth holding onto long-term."
"Haha, after hearing you, I've actually bought a fair amount."
Jason Garrison wasn't here to worry about Japan. He wanted to ask William White if Japanese MV was suitable for airing.
"Why wouldn't it be alright? Don't they have money for publicity anymore?"
"Not really, but they seem to have learned to cut back. Just a month ago, they were still seeking prime time."
Japan's culture indeed stood out; they had an ingrained spirit of sacrifice.
For the sake of the company's benefit, the Japanese would give everything, and when that benefit demanded their lives, they'd hesitate little.
When an aircraft in Gunma Prefecture had an accident, the maintenance manager chose to take his own life out of guilt. If he didn't die, the big boss would.
When it came to their diehard fans, Uncle Sam had no indulgences. This might not be the most accurate way to put it, but to be precise, Uncle Sam remained brutal. By the time they were enjoying themselves, Japan was nearly on its last legs. If not for their resilience, who knows what would have happened?
Japan remained confident in their economy. Those American economists weren't entirely talking nonsense.
Yes, population welfare.
Just like their economy, Japan's population was rapidly growing. If they continued to thrive, while it's hard to say if their economy could outpace Uncle Sam's, their population surely would. The skyrocketing prices for housing and land were among the most crucial aspects.
Sadly, the bursting of the bubble economy not only shattered Japan's confidence in rising but seemed to obliterate their birth rate. For many years thereafter, Japan's fertility rates remained exceedingly low.
The survival pressure was so intense that the Japanese lost the will to have children. This really was quite a comical situation.
...
"Master, something doesn't seem right with Iraq. They're gearing up for something; it's unclear who they plan to target."
William White knew this but felt it best not to comment; some secrets needed to go to the grave with him.
"What's going on? Is that maniac going off the deep end again? Could it be some internal turmoil? You know, like the Soviets -- internal problems can be the biggest issues."
"Not quite, on the surface, it seems they aim to intimidate Kuwait."
"Ugh, but they're the ones lending him billions of dollars."
"Cough, cough, Master, oil prices are just too low. Saddam is demanding a cut in production."
William White shook his head with a wry smile; that fool still didn't get it. Oil prices meant nothing to Kuwait. Their production was much higher, so they naturally wanted prices to go up.
"Tanner, do you know why the Soviets are suddenly down and out?"
Seeing the Master change the topic abruptly, Tanner realized it was a test. If he answered well, the Master would surely be pleased.
"Master, is it because the price of oil dropped too sharply?"
"Exactly, good job! Now, as a highly effective weapon, how could we let the Saddam control the oil? The oil prices won't rise until the Soviets are completely out of the picture."
"I got it, Master. Iraq is going to have a hard time this time."
*****
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