Silicon Valley

As the acquisition of Toho Co., Ltd. involved billions of dollars, Galaxy Films CEO Bobby Robin personally traveled to Japan to preside over the acquisition!

Toho Co., Ltd. was formed in 1943 by the merger of Tokyo Takarazuka Theater Company and Toho Film Company, and established modern luxury theaters and movie theaters all over the country. Several of Tokyo's most famous theaters are owned by Toho, such as the Imperial Theater, the first Western-style theater in Japan. In addition, Toho also has 350 theaters!

Toho Co., Ltd. is a company with a complete industrial chain integrating production, distribution and cinema! In this, Japan is different from the US, because US studios cannot own US theaters!

In addition, Toho Co., Ltd. is also the initiator of Japan's Fuji TV, which is one of the shareholders. Relying on the relationship with Fuji TV and its own advantages, Toho's subsidiary Toho Arts has rapidly developed into one of the most influential brokerage companies in Japan.

It can be said that the influence of Toho Co., Ltd. in the Japanese entertainment industry is pivotal!

When the news that Galaxy Films wanted to acquire Toho Co., Ltd. reached Japan, it immediately caused panic among the entire Japanese film company.

"The Asahi Shimbun" reported: "Hollywood movie giants are targeting the Japanese market!"

"Yomiuri Shimbun" reported: "Sony's acquisition of Columbia Pictures in the United States greatly inspired the hearts of the Japanese! But now, the Yankees are coming back!!!"

Many Japanese people protested, calling on the Japanese government to intervene and prevent Galaxy Films from acquiring Toho Co., Ltd.!

"Refuse to buy!"

"We ask the government to stop the acquisition of Galaxy Films!"

The Japanese are too naive and cheap. If Sony can buy Columbia Pictures in the United States, it will not allow the American film company to buy your Japanese film company?

The demonstrations were very moving. Hundreds of people gathered around Tokyo, and even American newspapers carried out special reports.

Is there any problem with this? Just a few days after the news that Galaxy Films was preparing to acquire Dongbao, people organized demonstrations soon. To say that there is nothing tricky behind this, and no one instigated it, who would believe it? There must be people who don't want Galaxy Films to buy Toho Co., Ltd....

Who will these people be?

The acquisition of Toho Co., Ltd. was simply doom for other Japanese film companies. Because after Dongbao was acquired, they are about to face a more powerful opponent, and they have no confidence to fight against Galaxy Films!

Galaxy Films is in the limelight. Last year, four films occupied the top four in the global box office, which is unprecedented.

No matter which company it is, they are all timid in the face of such a movie giant!

Therefore, it is understandable that the Japanese film companies united to launch their forces to prevent the Galaxy Film Company from entering Japan!

What is the attitude of the Japanese government?

Of course, the Japanese government wants to favor Japanese film companies. Government officials from relevant departments said in front of the media that Toho Co., Ltd. is a long-established film company in Japan with huge influence, and foreign acquisitions are not allowed!

This statement immediately brought the negotiations between Galaxy Film and Toho Co., Ltd. to a standstill.

Bobby Robin immediately called Henry to tell him the situation.

Henry was preparing for the listing of his Internet company at the moment. After receiving a call from Bobby Robin and listening to him describe the difficult situation encountered in the negotiation process, Henry suddenly fell silent.

The intervention of the Japanese government is indeed a bit tricky.

He rubbed his temples, thoughtful.

The phone still didn't hang up, Bobby Robin knew that Henry was thinking, so he quietly waited for Henry's order.

"Robin," Henry said, "the acquisition of Toho Co., Ltd. will be delayed in advance, and I will find a solution as soon as possible!"

"Let's settle for the next best thing, buy another company first! After I solve the problem of the Japanese government, I will buy Toho Co., Ltd.!"

Bobby Robin asked, "Chairman, which company are we buying now?"

"Ghibli Animation Studio," Henry said, "is a company specializing in the production of animated films. One of the founders of the company is the famous Japanese director Hayao Miyazaki!!! Toho is good at making TV animations. , Ghibli Animation Studio is good at making animated films, and the two complement each other! Since we can't win Toho Co., Ltd. for the time being, then we will win Ghibli Animation Studio first! Remember, we must keep Hayao Miyazaki!! !"

Hayao Miyazaki is a legend in the Japanese animation industry, without him, the Japanese animation industry will be overshadowed! It can be said that Hayao Miyazaki's name and his Studio Ghibli are synonymous with Japanese animation! The animation directed by him is the only important force in Asia that can compete with Disney and DreamWorks!

As an industry insider, Bobby Robin obviously also knows something about Ghibli Animation Studio and Hayao Miyazaki, he nodded and said: "Don't worry, Chairman, Hayao Miyazaki is indeed a talent, we will definitely keep him of!"

After receiving instructions from Henry, Bobby Robin temporarily stopped negotiations with Toho Co., Ltd. and turned to the acquisition of Ghibli Animation Studio. Ghibli Animation Studio was established in 1986. Although the company has been established for a short time, since its establishment, it has produced excellent works frequently and has become the most dazzling new star among Japanese animation film companies!

Bobby Robin acted resolutely, and the next day sent someone to Ghibli Animation Studios to formally submit a request for acquisition.

"Hello, Mr. Miyazaki, I am Hank Alley, the representative of Galaxy Films, and I am now officially representing Galaxy Films to make an acquisition request to Ghibli Animation Studios! Galaxy Films intends to pay 120 million US dollars Acquire 70% of the shares of Ghibli Animation Studio. At the same time, after the completion of the acquisition, we will start the equity incentive plan, and use 10% of the shares to reward employees like you who have made great contributions to the company !"

Hank Alley said, "Once Studio Ghibli is merged into Galaxy, it will not only get financial support, but also technical support. For Studio Ghibli, it will be beneficial and harmless! Miyazaki-san, please think about it carefully!"

Hayao Miyazaki nodded and said, "Mr. Hank Alley, we will seriously consider it!"

"Well, then I'll come back in three days. At that time, we will have a detailed conversation!" Hank Allie smiled and said goodbye to Hayao Miyazaki.

...

Henry is sending people to lobby the U.S. government to put pressure on Japan.

Henry contacted US President Clinton and dozens of US congressmen successively, and joined their forces to hold a small meeting in the United States. The main content of the meeting was naturally the issue of Japan's intervention in Galaxy Films' acquisition of Toho Corporation. Shortly afterward, the U.S. diplomatic spokesman said in a very tough tone:

"Galaxy Films' acquisition of Toho Co., Ltd. is a normal business merger and acquisition behavior, and the Japanese government cannot interfere!!!"

"If the Japanese government wants to intervene, then we'll have Sony spit out Columbia Pictures!!!"

Holy crap, it's none of my business, Sony is lying on the gun innocently, and I just want to cry but have no tears.

It didn't take long for Sony to make a righteous statement to clear the relationship: "The Japanese government should not interfere casually with normal business mergers and acquisitions!"

This is good, the Japanese government was stabbed in the back by Sony!

Moreover, even the American "father" has spoken, what can the Japanese government do? Can it still fly? In the end, the Japanese government did not dare to say a word.

As a result, Galaxy Films has restarted its acquisition of Toho Co., Ltd.!

After getting the news, Henry showed a sneer of disdain on his face: "The Japanese government is very good, right? It has to pretend to be a grandson in front of the American government!"

(To be continued ~^~.)