On May 9, 1997, the Pokémon Center, along with the anime and manga hub establishments, was finally completed in the Akihabara District, Electric Town.
In fact, other companies that were also building establishments in Akihabara District, Electric Town, were also completed.
Companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Suzuki, Tora, Mitsubishi, Toyota, etc., are the ones that agreed to rent on KiShin's property land.
The commercial hub was nearing completion, with a few buildings yet to be constructed. However, thanks to the substantial funds KiShin invested to expedite the process, it was gradually nearing its conclusion.
The accelerated construction progress was evidently fueled by KiShin's willingness to spend generously.
In reality, the funds KiShin provided didn't solely come from KiShin, as 70% of the buildings belonged to other companies. KiShin gathered a pool of money from these companies, enabling their buildings to be completed much faster.
As a result, with a steady stream of money, KiShin introduced some ideas, such as implementing modular construction or prefabricated buildings, to reduce on-site construction time. Additionally, with core infrastructure and key anchor tenants, the hub gradually attracted more businesses as it gained traction.
KiShin, having talents such as actors, actresses, and singers in its subsidiary company – KiShin's Talent Agency – enlisted Japanese and even Hollywood stars to promote the soon-to-open Akihabara District Electric Town.
The news of KiShin's Grand Opening of the Akihabara District Electric Town was covered by Japanese TV channels.
On May 13, 1997, around 9:00 AM, KiShin Chairman Shinro Suzuki cut the ribbons of several KiShin establishments in Akihabara District Electric Town one by one. Viewers witnessed the young Shinro Suzuki holding a large pair of scissors, cutting the ribbons of the completed KiShin establishments.
After the opening, many people were now able to enter the KiShin establishments in Akihabara District Electric Town.
Then, on May 14, 1997, what Pokémon fans had been eagerly anticipating finally arrived.
The Chairman of KiShin, once again, cut the ribbon of the grand Pokémon Center building.
As soon as he cut it, many fans in the area clapped loudly:
"Yeah!"
"Wooh! Now I can enter the Pokémon Center!!!"
"Pokémons, wait for me!"
The crowd cheered, especially the Pokémon fans.
Many children are also gradually becoming Pokémon fans as they grow up.
With the opening of the first KiShin's Pokémon Center in Akihabara District Electric Town, it truly excites many people...
After KiShin's Grand Opening of their establishments in Akihabara District Electric Town, other companies such as Apple, Microsoft, Suzuki, Tora, Toyota, Nintengu Koppai, etc., also opened their establishments in the Akihabara District Electric Town.
KiShin's ability to attract a large audience in the area led other companies to believe that opening their establishments was a wise decision too.
Consequently, a growing number of people started entering Akihabara District Electric Town.
The installed billboards also began displaying advertisements.
In just about a week, Akihabara District Electric Town had transformed into a bustling hub, with anime and manga fans playing a significant role in attracting more people.
Indeed, Akihabara District Electric Town had become a tourist attraction, featuring the Pokémon Center and various well-known KiShin franchises.
Companies observing the influx of people in Akihabara District Electric Town began to experience mixed feelings. Those who became tenants felt relieved that their choice was right, while those who declined KiShin's offer regretted their decision slightly.
Certainly, they could never have imagined that KiShin could fill the once-isolated place like Akihabara District Electric Town so rapidly.
Some small business restaurants also profited from the bustling crowd – those fortunate enough to accept KiShin's offer and become tenants in Akihabara District Electric Town.
The eye-catching restaurant that gained prominence was the emerging maid restaurant and café, featuring beautiful young women as servers, which attracted both Japanese locals and tourists alike.
Akihabara District Electric Town's ability to draw in a large crowd wasn't solely due to manga, anime, or KiShin's famous franchises. It also owed some of its popularity to businesses that employed provocative tactics to attract people.
While Akihabara District Electric Town doesn't host brothels or red-light establishments, there are similar venues; the distinction is that patrons are not allowed to touch the women, only to look.
Despite this limitation, many people were still willing to pay high prices at these establishments.
While not explicitly prostitution, men who could only gaze upon beauty were still willing to pay a high price for services like massages or sexually provocative actions from women.
What the R-18 establishments exploited was men's fantasies, allowing them to indulge in thoughts about whether they could touch the women or not. This created false hope through super provocative actions that stimulated men's fantasies.
Some businesses were drawn to the adult establishments, feeling that KiShin shouldn't have allowed such practices in the area.
What they were unaware of is that the owner of those establishments was the Yamauchi-Gumi, the Yakuza gang that had transformed into a security company.
Even though the Yamauchi-Gumi had ceased illegal activities, they found that operating as a security company didn't generate sufficient funds. Feeling guilty about relying on KiShin's financing, Shin provided them with a formula for an adult business that was legal and government-approved.
With their establishments in Akihabara District Electric Town proving quite popular and profitable, the Yamauchi-Gumi now had the funds to cover their needs. Additionally, they could contribute significant amounts to KiShin through tenant payments, surpassing the contracted amount.
---
May passed, and June arrived. Shin was becoming more prepared as the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis loomed.
He ensured he was ready for whatever might unfold.
While in his previous life world, Shin could profit from short selling during the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, this parallel world had its differences. If Shin were overly confident, he could end up being the only one suffering in the end.
Regardless, even without short selling, Shin made sure KiShin gradually acquired assets resistant to the crisis, particularly in sectors like agriculture, food, and staples. Before the crisis hit, KiShin had prepared extensively (as mentioned in previous chapters.)
Additionally, KiShin had funds prepared for the potential acquisition of stocks in companies like SamStar, Hyun-Motors, Lucky Golden Group, and more.