After Shin and Mira played on the Dance Dance Revolution, they played a bit more in the arcade before they went home.
A lot has really changed in Japan, the youth having fashion that's different from the traditional and conservative Japanese, and some of the old people felt that it was because of video games and anime influence that the youth started to change, still didn't see the fact that it was because of the society in Japan, with older generation has more say, that the youth started to develop a sense of style and rebellion...
Yet those older people were kind of right that video games and anime did indeed influence the fashion style of the youth in Japan, because of the Harajuku style is not really a specific style, but some dressed the same clothes from a specific anime character or video game character, and the clothing, dresses that was wear by these youth were actually bought from KiShin Merchandise...
KiShin Merchandise was actually just created to merchandise KiShins video games and anime, like action figures, toys, stuff toys and also Lego with the design of video game or anime franchise, but the KiShin Merchandise clothes gradually became a fashion style to the most of the youth...
And KiShin Merchandise actually became a recognizable brand in terms of fashion in Japan.
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Tokyo Big Sight just opened in April 1 1996, and in April 5 1996, Suzuki announced that they'll host a launch event at the space exhibition hall of Tokyo Big Sight.
And the other video game entertainment companies were also invited by Suzuki, and the Suzuki event also announced in public press conference, media coverage...
It seems like the Suzuki Electronics was about to launch something, and it was related to the video games sector...
But the people that's familiar with the video game industry, was kind of confused as for why Tora are not with Suzuki in the launching event?
Then only after a few days did they know that the Tora and Suzuki have gotten itself into disagreements, as a result, the alliance between the two company in terms of video game sector, seemed to near it's end.
That's the speculation, and when the media inquired of the situation with Tora, the Tora Electronics didn't give their comments about the matter...
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In KiShin Rules Headquarters, Shin just watched the press conference of Suzuki Electronics in television, and the launch product event that they'll announce in Tokyo Big Sight, a building that was just recently opened.
It seems the Suzuki Electronics will be the first to use the building exhibition hall...
And as for why Tora didn't joined Suzuki in the launching event, people assumed it was because the Suzuki Electronics will release a video game product that was independent to Tora and Tora doesn't have an influence to the product that Suzuki was about to launch, and it's outside their alliance, and this assumption seems to convince many people that's doubting the alliance of Tora-Suzuki...
But Shin knew that it was nothing like that... Because Shin just received an Intel that Tora and Suzuki really indeed come into disagreements, and the one of the reasons why the two company have come into disagreement was the latest product profit sharing...
That's right, the latest product that Suzuki was about to launch was actually the reason for the disagreement, and it was the profit sharing and also a few other unknown reasons...
And Shin knew that the latests product of Suzuki was a handheld video game console and that handheld was researched along with Tora, but instead of Tora and Suzuki launching the product together, the two companies decided to separately launched the handheld video game console...
So each of them could gain their own profit but at the same time, in terms of the handheld video game console, the Tora and Suzuki will compete against each other, although their alliance between the two was still intact...
It seems that the Tora and Suzuki was in conflicts whoever have contributed the most in researching the handheld, with disputes over how profits from the new handheld would be divided. This lead to accusations of unfairness and resentment.
Before the two company have come into an agreement of releasing each their own handheld, and since the handheld designs wasn't yet finalized at that time, each company adapted the base framework intro their own unique system.
The conflicts between Tora and Suzuki seems to be a long time ago, a few months back, but the alliance between the two company was still in place, and Tora and Suzuki seems to still agree between the other in other things such as the video game console.
And the reason why they agreed in releasing each and their own handheld was because Tora and Suzuki thought that KiShin will not release a handheld video game console anytime soon, and Tora and Suzuki thought that they could compete between the other without the worry of KiShin suddenly releasing it's own handheld video game console...
As soon as Shin finished thinking along the lines, he couldn't help but smiled slightly...
After all, coincidentally, KiShin will also released the latest Gameboy series handheld video game console, and it was the Gameboy Advance, a flipping Gameboy and colorful yet adjustable bright screen...
The LCD of Gameboy Advance was Frontlit TFT LCD. And KiShin was helped by quite a lot in LCD research by SamStar, the company that was pretty much have the technology experience in the LCD technology, and because of that, KiShin was able to complete the LCD that is just right for their handheld.
In fact, SamStar was really a great help beside the LCD of Gameboy Advance, they also helped KiShin in research of the processor for Gameboy Advance, although KiShin was already developing the processor for quite a long time, SamStar research assistance, as SamStar are also experienced processor research, KiShin research and developing the processor for Gameboy Advance was quickened...
It was the Custom ARM CPU for their Gameboy Advance, and SamStar also assisted in developing a battery for Gameboy Advance... Also the sound chip was better.
And beyond the development of the Gameboy Advance, KiShin was also able to advanced in researching the LCD and touchscreen technology with the joint research of SamStar.
KiShin has actually been researching LCD and touchscreen technologies in 1992, as Shin knew the importance of LCD and touchscreen later, for mobile phone technology, and Shin spent a lot of effort and budget in research of the technology, KiShin also filed patents in LCD related technologies and also some of the touchscreen technologies and design, but KiShin wasn't the only one researching this technologies, there's competition and other companies also patented LCD and touchscreen related technologies...
And the companies that's researching and patenting technologies was those decades tech and electronics companies and that includes SamStar...
And with SamStar has been researching in LCD and touchscreen technologies in 80s to now 1996, partnering with SamStar wasn't a bad decision of KiShin, as SamStar is really such a great help in the research...
In Tokyo, Japan, on April 8, 1996, Suzuki was about to host a launching event in the exhibition hall of Tokyo Big Sight. In fact, Suzuki didn't only rent the exhibition hall but also the other space for other companies to exhibit their products.
Suzuki also invited the KiShin company and its Chairman, Shinro Suzuki.
Shinro Suzuki was personally invited by his brothers in the press conference, and media and newspapers talked about it.
Almost many people in Japan, as long as they're not living in a cave or a hermit that disconnects themselves from the world, know that the KiShin chairman, Shinro Suzuki, is the son of the current chairman of the Suzuki Group. Shinro Suzuki's other brothers are still working in the Suzuki Group, and various magazines or newspapers released an issue of the KiShin founder and chairman, Shinro Suzuki, having a bad relationship with his brothers.
The topics and rumors started after Shinro Suzuki became known as the 'Suzuki Youngest Prince,' and these rumors became more wild after Shinro Suzuki was covered and interviewed by Forbes.
The title "Suzuki Youngest Prince" didn't sound presumptuous since the wealthy Suzuki family offspring, the children of the current Suzuki chairman, actually have the blood of the royal family of Japan.
As the mother of Shinro Suzuki and the wife of the current chairman of the Suzuki Group is actually of royal blood.
That's right, Airi Suzuki indeed came from the Japanese royal family, and that's one of the main reasons why Sazama wanted Shiro to marry Airi.
And with that, the royal family actually contributed a little to the rise of the Suzuki Group as a company. Because of the marriage between Shiro and Airi, the royal family can be said to be now related to the Suzuki family.
Now, with Shiko Suzuki personally and publicly inviting Shinro Suzuki during the press conference, many people were left to speculate about this gesture of Shiko Suzuki.
Whether the invitation had good or bad intentions, they're subjects of speculation...
In the KiShin Headquarters:
"Will you attend?" Mira asked Shin in the office after watching Suzuki's press conference. Shiko Suzuki's personal and public invitation during the press conference was attention-grabbing. Considering Shin's already established reputation and influence in Japan, it was no surprise that it would gain attention.
"Well, it doesn't sound bad, does it?" Shin said with a smile. He paused, then added with a laugh, "I guess my two older brothers wanted to show off their latest handheld..."
"It seems they're pretty confident in their handheld, huh?" Mira chuckled, recalling that KiShin had also finished their latest handheld, the Gameboy Advance.
On April 9, 1996, the Suzuki launching event finally took place at Tokyo Big Sight.
Many companies were present to promote their products, with crowds gathering, and even a vendor selling Toriyaki and other food stalls.
Media outlets were also present for coverage, and gradually, well-known figures in the business world arrived, such as the elder son of Tora Chairman, Itori Tanaka.
Then there's Masayoshi Son, arriving at Tokyo Big Sight. The Suzuki Electronics event was quite high-profile, complete with a red carpet to welcome wealthy individuals like Masayoshi Son, the founder and CEO of SoftBank—a telecom giant primarily offering telecommunication services in Japan, including fixed line and mobile phone services. SoftBank also challenged the monopoly of NTT.
Personally invited by the Suzuki brothers, Masayoshi Son agreed, understanding their intention. They sought his support and investment in the development of their video game sector.
While Masayoshi Son recognized the potential of video games, he viewed entering and investing in such an industry, especially with a tough competitor like KiShin, as carrying significant risk. If the risk were low and the profit immense, he would likely dive in, much like how he recognized the potential of the internet and invested substantially in it. He even formed a joint venture with Yahoo! Japan.
Masayoshi Son wouldn't have accepted the invitation if not for the fact that the Suzuki Group wielded considerable influence in the business world. Additionally, his daughters had grown fond of video games, especially Pokémon, adding a personal touch to his decision.
Then there was the CEO of NEC, Shigeo Miyauchi. As a major electronics manufacturer, Suzuki invited him so Shiko could discuss possible support for the development of Suzuki's video game sector. Given NEC's technical expertise in chip design and display technology, Shiko believed that with NEC's support and investment, future handhelds or video game consoles would exhibit better quality and improvements.
Hideo Takenaka, the Minister of Financial Services, was also present. His inclusion signaled Suzuki Electronics' commitment to economic responsibility and transparency. Suzuki Electronics aimed to attract investors and boost public confidence.
Additionally, the Governor of the Bank of Japan attended. His presence held the potential to secure favorable loan terms or investment opportunities, providing crucial financial backing for Suzuki Electronics' ambitious endeavors.
Those knowledgeable about the business world were quite surprised by the presence of these influential individuals at just the launching event of Suzuki Electronics.
It's reminiscent of when the KiShin founder revealed himself to the world for the first time. However, unlike that occasion, only a few well-known business individuals participated, such as the Chairman of Tora Corporation, the president of Tora Electronics, and the Chairman of the Suzuki Group, and CEO of Suzuki Electronics. Besides them, there weren't many influential and wealthy individuals from the business world at the KiShin conference.
Contrastingly, at this Suzuki launching event, while the Chairman of Tora and Chairman of Suzuki Group were absent, those who arrived so far were either influential in business or politics. They were escorted to the VIP room where the elites gathered, with the Suzuki brothers entertaining them. This alone suggests that Suzuki Electronics is seeking support.
Then, the crowd outside Tokyo Big Sight almost caused a commotion when Shinro Suzuki arrived. As the participants in the launching event were mostly video game fans, they were excited to see the father of video games arrive.
Shin was a bit surprised by the cheers of the crowd, but fortunately, his menacing bodyguards prevented any disturbances. However, the crowd seemed undeterred by the bodyguards' looks as they attempted to lay their hands on Shin.
Fortunately, stanchions and velvet ropes, along with people blocking the advances of the crowd, prevented any untoward incidents.
"Damn... Am I this famous already?" Shin, however, felt a bit astonished and complicated inside. He didn't expect people, especially the Japanese, to want to touch him with expressions seemingly desiring to rip his clothes and see him naked.