Chapter 1673

Yashiko looked down whenever he thought of his potential partnership with Schulz family.

In the car, he sighed, saying, “Tanaka, Japanese economic development has been in a slump for a decade. Not only our family but the fortunes of a few prestigious families have been affected and shrunk. Also, our heirs are not as capable…”

Tanaka asked hurriedly, “Chairman, Japan was once the most developed country in the world for a few decades ever since the world war. Why hasn’t it kept up for the past ten years?”

Yashiko replied regretfully.

“There are many reasons contributing to this slowed-down economy. Firstly, there is a limited supply of natural resources and land in Japan. Secondly, there were no recent breakthroughs in the Japanese information technology industry.”

Yashiko continued emotionally, “Look, gone are those years when many Japanese sectors were on top of the world. These sectors have gradually lost their significance in recent years.”

“Back in those days, Sony, Panasonic, Hitachi, and Toshiba were the established brands around the world. Sony had the world’s best television that screened colorful pictures and sold over the world; Sony Ericsson's mobile phones were popular globally, while Panasonic and Hitachi’s home appliances and semiconductors were also very well-known. Look, where are these brands now? All losing its popularity!”

“China now produces the majority of television sets around the world due to its cost-effectiveness. Two gigantic makers share the world’s mobile phone industry. Apple Inc. from the United States owns one, and the remaining are shared between Huawei, Xiaomi, Vivo, and Oppo from China. Where on earth would we find Japanese mobile phones? Even the Samsung brand from South Korea has long lost its attractiveness!”

Tanaka could not help but share the disappointment. “You’re right, Chairman. Japan has indeed lost its traditional competitiveness, especially in electrical products…”

Yashiko sighed and said, “Not only are we losing out in electronics, but the Japanese steel industry also used to top the world, where even the Americans look highly upon our special raw steel. Nonetheless, the notorious scandal regarding bad steel has caused everything to tumble!”

“Originally, Shinkansen technology and high-speed rail technology were both innovated and pioneered by the Japanese. Nevertheless, who would have thought that China’s high-speed rail would come out on top, causing Japan, German, and France’s HSR to come sorely lacking. Even Shinkansen technology had lost most of its overseas sales…”

Tanaka kept sighing and continued, “Our family has invested proportionately in the sectors mentioned above. The slump of these sectors will lead to a shrink in our fortune too. Hence, this poses a severe problem…”

Yashiko’s tone was harsh.

“Not only so, but the main contributing factor is also due to the lack of creativity and innovation from the Japanese youth!”

“Over the years, China has produced a large number of world-class internet corporations such as Tencent, Alibaba, Toutiao, JD.com, and Pinduoduo, as well as control over seventy percent of the world’s drone market. The irony is that there have never been any influential Internet companies from Japan in these recent years! We will be losing our competitiveness if this continues!”

Tanaka nodded in agreement, “Comparatively, China’s prestigious families are getting wealthier and more influential as a result of the nation’s progressiveness in many sectors. They are even capable of challenging the Europeans and Americans, let alone Japan.”

“Exactly,” Yashiko concurred solemnly.

“They were way behind us in those days. Within a blink of an eye, they’ve now surpassed us and are on the verge of challenging the Americans. We, on the other hand, have been left far behind. Ironically, we’ve to please the Chinese nowadays to achieve a breakthrough in our sectors. As the saying goes, everyone has its highs and lows.’’

Yashiko said in a grave tone. “That’s because we were stagnant while China was progressing speedily. Therefore, we need to stay close with the prestigious Chinese families, and the incoming partnership with the Schulz family is indeed an opportunity not to be missed.”

Tanaka nodded hurriedly and answered, “Chairman, be rest assured that I will give it my best!”

Undoubtedly, the Japanese economy had significantly plummeted in recent years.