Anticipated Guests at the Party

Chapter 16

In the social world, a party is essentially a battlefield. However, fundamentally, you don't usually drag out a young girl like myself into that mess, the fact that I have been made into an exception to this core rule indicates that I stand out even within the Keikka-in household.

"Just the initial greeting is fine, but it would be appreciated if you could entertain a bit more," Tachibana kindly supplements the bottom line of my duty in the party hosted by the Keikka-in family at main estate.

Tachibana said it's fine to just stand there, but essentially, it means that even the main branch of the Keikka-in family can no longer ignore me. After all, thanks to Tachibana and the others' efforts, my assets have become considerable. And you can easily figure out that I am the owner of those assets. By introducing me in society, the main branch probably wants to create an opportunity for interference in my assets.

"It's fine, but you're not going to ask me to stay until the end, right?"

"No, we won't. We have received assurances from the head of the family that you only need to give the initial greetings and accompany us at the meal, and then you're free to leave."

Essentially, this event serves as a public showcase of my presence, symbolizing a ceremony where the primary Keikka-in family pardons the errors made by my father. The sooner this forgiveness is granted, the more advantageous it is for all involved.

"Excuse me, Tachibana-san. There are a couple of guests who have been looking for you....... Tachibana-san?"

"Hmm? And what are the names of these guests?" Tachibana asks Yoshiko-san, who brought such report, and Yoshiko-san proceeds to read out the names on each visitor's business card.

"They are the secretaries of Minister of Finance Izumikawa Tatsunosuke, from the ruling Constitutional Democratic Party, and likewise, the secretary of Secretary-General Kazuhiro Katou, also from the ruling Constitutional Democratic Party."

These kinds of secretaries coming to Tachibana are because Tachibana is perceived to hold real power, and they likely want to establish connections. Secretaries coming in serve not only to make appointments but also as a precursor before the actual politicians show up. It's somewhat natural for invitations to come from Minister Izumikawa, dealing with non-performing loan disposals centered around Kaga Bank, and from Secretary-General Kato, whose father intended to establish Sakata City as an electoral district.

"They are quite astute, or rather, unprincipled..."

"Elections require money, you know. Next year's Upper House elections are also a decisive battle for the ruling party's recovery. To ensure everything goes smoothly, they probably want to have allies on their side."

Both Minister Izumikawa and Secretary-General Kato are being touted as potential candidates for the next prime minister, so it also becomes a matter of whose side to take.

"Since we have the resources, would it be unwise to bet on both sides?"

"It's not a bad idea, but it might make them think you're not truly on their side."

Looking at Japanese political thinking and factions solely from a socialist or liberal perspective can be misleading. A more straightforward geopolitical coloration would be between the continental faction and the maritime faction, with socialist and liberal arguments emerging on top of that. The Japan Sea side has had historical ties with the continent, resulting in many continental faction supporters. On the other hand, since the post-war era, Japan has been allied with the United States, leading to the maritime faction being predominant. Therefore, almost every political party in Japan is divided between the continental and maritime factions.

"Well, they must know that their real chances lie after my debut. Please handle it delicately, so they don't harbor any ill feelings."

"Understood."

.

On the day of the party, just before the start time, there was a knock on the door of the waiting room assigned to me.

"Who might it be?"

As Akiko, who was accompanying me, tried to confirm through the door, the person on the other side spoke up.

"Excuse me. I am Kazuhiro Katou, Secretary-General of the Constitutional Democratic Party, who had the pleasure of meeting you the other day. Kato would like to greet the young lady if possible."

The Secretary-General Katou who entered was brimming with vitality, as one would expect from someone currently at the peak of their power. Looking at me with a somewhat nostalgic expression, he greeted me directly.

"Nice to meet you, young lady. Your father has done a lot for me. I would like to apologize for not being able to assist your father."

Saying so, he bowed his head to me, who is still just a kindergarten-aged child. It seemed to be his way of atonement for not being able to help my father.

"No, please raise your head. In honestly It should be me who bows to you."

The construction project for the chemical plant, which was the source of that scandal, must have had backing from the prefecture and city, and politicians like him would have been involved behind the scenes or openly. What my father did was akin to smearing mud on the faces of those people.

"One cannot choose their parents. I intend to make amends properly and make up to you so please rest assured."

Here, the "amends" he mentioned essentially meant giving a verbal promise to provide financial compensation. Upon hearing that, Secretary-General Katou left with a relieved expression, seemingly intending to make an appearance at the party as well.

"Have there been any flashy public works projects in Yamagata Prefecture recently?"

When I asked Tachibana, he mentioned that construction had just begun on the extension of the Yamagata Shinkansen to Shinjo, and Kaga Bank was among the banking consortium providing the construction funds. This investment had been ongoing since the days of the former Far Eastern Bank. Through the twists and turns of a major merger, Far Eastern had absorbed Kaga Bank, and with the acceleration of non-performing loan disposal, there were concerns within the prefecture that Kaga Bank might withdraw from funding the construction of the Yamagata Shinkansen. That's why the Secretary-General, who was currently in the limelight, came all the way to me to confirm this aspect.

"Contact Ichijou. Tell them to inform the prefecture that we will continue to finance the construction of the Yamagata Shinkansen*. If the bank can't handle it, we'll fund it through the Moonlight Fund."

[T/N - Famous High-speed trains]

When money gathers, people flock to it. The party hadn't even started yet.

■⁠-⁠■ ■⁠-⁠■ ■⁠-⁠■

[Continental faction and maritime faction]

From Mahan's geopolitics.

(T/N- Alfred Thayer Mahan's documentary or thesis on political factions mainly focusing on Land-based {domestic trade} and sea-based {international trade} factions )

Land power and sea power are more common terms.

[Yamagata Shinkansen Shinjo Extension Project]

It was only possible to extend it to Shinjo because of this method, but ultimately, there was no other option but to do it it's wasn't a choice but a forced act.

~~~Ending~~~