Original subtitles

How's the report coming along? Is it going to work?

Once we add President Tamiya's testimonial that Kondo's bringing, it'll be complete.

So, when did you say you were submitting it?

I'm supposed to have the Chairman take a look at it tomorrow

before it gets brought up at the board meeting as an agenda item.

Then you can finally have it out with Owada once and for all, huh?

Yeah.

But still, isn't Kondo kinda late?

I'm saying that I'll bring you back to the bank.

It is really possible?

- For you to do that? - It is.

If you hand me that report.

Why don't you try going back?

To being a banker.

I'd be grateful...

for your help.

What happened?

It's unusual to see you looking so happy when you get home.

Are you ready for this?

I'm going back to the bank.

Really?

Yeah, it's been formally decided.

But why all of a sudden?

Well...things happened.

Then...what about the transfer?

Naturally, it's called off.

Yosuke. Yosuke. Papa...

If this is true,

the bank will have to do something about Executive Director Owada.

What is this attached document?

It's the testimonial by President Tamiya of Tamiya Electric.

He talks about how the 30 million yen loan Kyobashi Branch gave to Tamiya Electric

came to be sub-loaned to Executive Director Owada's wife, Tanahashi Takako.

In short, President Tamiya was virtually coerced into

cooperating with Executive Director Owada.

Due to a slight mix-up, it's not here yet,

but I will make sure it's attached before the board meeting.

Hanzawa, since you're taking the matter this far,

if you can't win,

you know you have a lot to lose.

I'm prepared for that.

All right.

I acknowledge receipt of this report.

I promise to bring it up and discuss it at the board meeting that's coming up in 3 days.

Thank you.

Are you sure? There's no mistake?

Yes. The Department Chief was definitely stamping his seal of approval this morning.

Hanzawa!

I just heard an inside scoop on HR. There hasn't even been an unofficial announcement yet.

- What is it? - Kondo's coming back to the bank.

What's more, to the PR Department. What the hell's going on?

I'm sorry, but Chief Kondo has taken a day off today.

I see. I'll try to reach him on his cell.

Thank you.

This is Hanzawa. Kondo, I'll be waiting for you at the usual place.

I'll wait until you come.

I've been waiting, Kondo.

Hanzawa.

I...

Hurry up and go change.

Hanzawa.

Kondo.

Staying alive

is tough, isn't it?

Sometimes I wonder

why I ever became a banker.

Quota's hard to meet, and

whenever we talk with colleagues,

it's always about money or personnel moves.

Relocation comes with the territory, and

with every move, the family suffers.

If you make just one blunder, you get transferred out immediately.

When you get inflicted with a disorder like you through no fault of your own,

there isn't a single word of apology

from those guys around you.

As if to say it's your own fault for getting sick,

they hand you a one way ticket to no man's land.

But you... came back on your own.

The PR Department was your dream, wasn't it?

You fulfilled that dream.

Let's just leave it at that.

Hanzawa.

But I,

in order to do that...

betrayed you guys.

I'm not sure why, but

I don't feel betrayed.

You worked desperately to rebuild Tamiya Electric.

As a result, you were able to persuade President Tamiya

and get his testimonial.

Then it's up to you to decide how it's used.

You used that to return to the bank.

That's proof of your capability.

If I were you,

I think I would've done the same thing.

Things like money and dream,

everyone needs them to go on living.

You simply made the natural choice as a banker.

Don't worry about the report either.

I got you involved in what I should've done myself to begin with.

You haven't done anything wrong.

I'm happy for you.

That you got to come back to the bank.

I'm sorry.

I'm sorry...

Forgiving Kondo means you're gonna be up the creek.

Without President Tamiya's testimonial, that report's worth diddlysquat.

In fact, you'd just look stupid condemning Executive Director Owada for no reason.

You don't suppose we can get President Tamiya to testify again, do you?

If we do that, the fact that Kondo made a deal with Owada would be exposed too.

So we'd end up sacrificing Kondo, huh? Damn.

Did Owada have that figured out too?

That bastard, taking advantage of our weakness.

Hey, isn't there a way?

A way to conclusively prove Owada's wrongdoings.

What do you think about

confronting Kaise again with the document that covered up the tip-off

and threaten him to testify?

Or, somehow get Director Hane on our side...

What I'm doing is no different than Owada.

When you get right down to it,

perhaps Owada and I are like two peas in a pod.

No, you're not.

Owada is the kind of person who easily discards people for his own self-preservation.

But you...

you've always worked first and foremost for other people.

President Takeshita and Fujisawa Miki in Osaka.

President Yuasa and Togoshi-san at Iseshima. Even Kondo.

Many people were saved by you.

You're not like Owada.

- You're totally different. - Tomari...

So there's no way we can lose, right?

Owada's desperate now to protect himself too.

He's bent on finding any flaw you may have to send you packing...

Hanzawa!

A letter addressed to the Chairman was delivered from the Financial Services Agency.

- A letter? - They're claiming that

there was a problem with your attitude towards them at the recent inspection.

It must be Kurosaki.

Director Kishikawa's losing no time in bringing up

your disciplinary action at the next board meeting.

He's awfully well prepared, isn't he?

This might've been set up to get you transferred out.

Do whatever you can do to get over this!

You got that, Hanzawa?

I'll do whatever I can too.

Thank you.

You know what you call this situation?

No way out.

What is it, Hana?

It's okay. Just come with me.

It's Hana-chan's homemade chiffon cake.

Deputy Manager Hanzawa, thank you for your hard work on the long battle during the FSA inspection.

You won't get transferred out now, right?

Takahiro has one more week of summer break. Going abroad isn't possible anymore, but

we can go anywhere in the country. Where shall we go? This one's for Okinawa.

I'm sorry. I don't know what may happen yet.

They may decide to transfer me out at the next board meeting.

How come? You saved Iseshima Hotel and got through the FSA inspection too, didn't you?

I'm sorry.

That's how things are.

Where did you get this?

Last time I went to Kanazawa, I asked if I could make one.

Keep this with you, together with your father's screw.

Like a good luck charm.

You're not intending to keep quiet and get shafted, are you?

By Owada.

Your mother told me everything.

I'm sorry. For not telling you.

You probably have all kinds of thoughts, but

I'm sure your father is very proud of Naoki,

who worked so hard to get this far for him.

When you told me you wanted to change the bank,

I was really moved, and

I wanted to support you.

I...

respect you as a human being.

Hana...

So...

what does it matter if you lose this time.

From your perspective, the bank may be this big, but

in society's eyes, it's only about this big.

If you get transferred out,

you can see the bank from an outsider's perspective.

It would be a good experience to change the bank in the future, wouldn't it?

Don't let the thought of getting transferred out stop you from being a banker!

With that spirit,

go confront Owada head on.

I see. So you lost the testimonial that was to be the conclusive evidence.

What is your opinion in regards to the content of this report?

I'd say he's black (guilty).

What's written here is probably true.

However, if you can't prove it, it's just wastepaper.

What do you think is the most important quality for a banker?

It's the ability to judge people.

Making money is secondary.

I judged you as a man, and

entrusted all of Iseshima Hotel to you.

And we were able to survive.

Hanzawa, what are you seeing in Executive Director Owada?

Take away his title of executive director of a mega bank,

and that man's another bank employee like you,

and perhaps just another weak human being.

If you overlook that,

you won't be able to beat him.

Maybe we were just looking at Owada as a banker.

Why did Owada resort to a risky method like an indirect loan

to get a 30 million yen loan for his wife's company?

Being an executive at a mega bank, he certainly could've arranged to get a loan himself.

But he didn't do that. Maybe he couldn't.

I see...All right, I'll use every network I have

and strip Owada naked.

Thanks. I'll ask Kondo to check on Lafite.

Kondo?!

You...

I realized once again

what a good guy you are.

Both you and Kondo are

my precious friends for life.

I'll leave those matters to you guys.

There's someone I need to go talk to.

Okay. I'll try to get a hold of Kondo right away.

Actually...he's already here.

What're you doing there, Kondo?

Get your butt over here.

We only have 24 hours left. Time for a strategy meeting.

Welcome back, Kondo.

Welcome back.

It's good to be back.

The first investment loss of 12 billion that you incurred.

Was that simply a failed investment, or was it...

What difference does it make now?

I'd like to add your testimony to a document

I'm preparing to report Executive Director Owada's wrongdoings.

You look as if you want to say justice is on your side.

Hane-san.

To ensure that Iseshima never encounters the same problem again,

we have to make people like Owada take full responsibility.

In order to do that, I need your testimony.

That loss was definitely an investment failure.

But...

Executive Director Owada took advantage of that.

You'd better be very careful.

Of Executive Director Owada.

I'm terribly sorry.

If you're going back to the bank, why don't I give you a ride?

Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I must decline.

Kondo-kun accepted my offer gratefully, you know.

Then send me the cleaning bill at least.

Unless you like being soggy with mud, that is.

That day was also a rainy day like this.

That was 25 years ago in Kanazawa.

That day too, you were holding an umbrella like that.

My father was all wet from the rain,

and groveling in the mud.

You said you'd continue to give us the loan!

Please let go.

Sir, please spare them at least.

Please!

You've risen in the ranks quite a bit since then.

Have you forgotten what happened in the past?

It's true I was in Kanazawa a long time ago, but...

I can't seem to remember you at all.

But I do vaguely recall a pathetic screw factory that was

obsessed with quality and went under.

He was an admirable craftsman who refused to take my advice

to automate and cut costs, no matter how much I tried.

But if had only listened to me,

he wouldn't have had to commit suicide.

That craftsman

trusted the bank and mortgaged his property.

But he was forsaken and lost everything.

He...

my father was

virtually killed by the bank.

25 Years Ago Kanazawa

We escaped by the skin of our teeth.

That was brilliant of you to talk Hanzawa Screw into

mortgaging their property without telling them when

we discovered Komada Kogyo was about to go under.

Thanks to that, we were able to avoid a loss.

I only did what any banker would've done.

We can't have the bank going under, can we?

You can look forward to your next evaluation.

Thank you.

I'm getting hungry, aren't you?

Let's go grab something to eat.

Sushi please, if you don't mind. Your treat.

I swear, with guys like you around,

Sangyo Chuo's still safe and sound.

You can say whatever you want, but

there's nothing I can do about something that happened 25 years ago.

There's no statute of limitations for banks.

Whether you remember or not,

I'll have you take full responsibility for what you did.

I believe in people's good will, but

if I get screwed, I'll screw you back.

It's double payback.

That's my way of doing things.

As you guessed, Owada's full of it.

- How's it going with Kondo? - I should get something from him by tonight.

But that's strictly circumstantial evidence.

Unless we find conclusive evidence to get Owada cornered,

it's only a matter of time before they use FSA's demand for improvement as an excuse to

- get you transferred out. - I know.

That Kurosaki sure pulled a dirty trick on us.

You know, Tomari, something's been bothering me for a while.

Kurosaki accepted Owada's proposal to

remove President Yuasa and appoint Director Hane as president

way too easily.

You find it strange for a guy who hates banks as much as he does, right?

Yeah, but I can

understand that if Executive Director Owada and Kurosaki were connected.

If that's the case, the one who leaked the hiding place

of the files to Kurosaki was Owada?

That's one thing I don't think Owada did.

I know. If those incriminating files get exposed in front of FSA,

even Owada won't get away with it.

I can't believe he'd leak that kind of information.

Then how did Kurosaki

track down the machine room which wasn't even on the floor plan?

Excuse me...About that,

there's something that comes to mind.

The day before the FSA inspection, we got a document from the Loan Department

- to file with the rest of the removed files. - That document...

I took it to the machine room on Basement Level 2.

It's possible you were being followed.

Who from the Loan Department brought it?

- A guy by the name of Yokoyama. - He's a young guy still in his third year.

It's hard to believe that guy's connected to Kurosaki.

I'll ask Yokoyama who told him to do it.

As planned, we will be deciding on

Deputy Manager Hanzawa's disciplinary action at the board meeting.

With that in mind, he will be given orders to transfer out immediately.

Oh, all right. So where's he going?

Tokyo Central Securities has agreed to take him in.

Tokyo Central... Ah, one of our subsidiaries, huh?

That's a good one. They're small too.

I'm sure Hanzawa-kun will fit right in.

However, Hanzawa is also planning to bring up

a report that talks about our supposed wrongdoings at that board meeting.

As you wished, I filed a demand for improvement against Deputy Manager Hanzawa.

Oh, yeah? At the next board meeting, huh?

Make sure you make him mend

that impertinent attitude of his.

You're the one who had Yokoyama deliver the additional document to be hidden away, aren't you?

I don't know what you're talking about.

Onodera.

Yokoyama kindly told us.

This is the additional document you gave Yokoyama. Take a good look at it.

Notes on Iseshima Hotel's loss of 12 billion.

But when we checked, this document didn't exist.

You made it up, didn't you?

You don't have the right to remain silent here!

If you like, I can make it known that you

faked the document and tried to bring down the bank.

Then you'll turn the entire Tokyo Chuo against you, and

you'll be dismissed on disciplinary grounds for sure.

Where's the evidence I did it?

Let's see it if you have the evidence. Show me the evidence!

I found it. In Fukuyama-san's tablet,

Notes on Iseshima Hotel's 12 Million Yen Loss

- there's data that faked the document. - Hey, give that back!

You can kiss your job good bye now.

Wait.

I just followed orders from the top.

Orders from the top? Who was it?

Tell me!

You know there's no way I can.

I'm passing this out all over the bank. Who was it!

Was it Owada?

Kishikawa?

It was, wasn't it!

So it was Kishikawa, huh?

But that means Owada gave him the orders, right?

Why would he leak information on the files, which is like suicide for him?

Did he have a deal in place with Kurosaki to protect himself?

No. This is Kishikawa's

betrayal against Owada.

That time, on the day of the last day of the FSA inspection,

Owada probably didn't know where those files were hidden.

Come on. Let's go.

Let's all go together.

Hey, Kishikawa. What's going on!

I don't know either!

I finally understand what that meant.

Yeah, but Kishikawa has much more to gain by siding with Owada rather than Kurosaki.

If Owada becomes the chairman,

Kishikawa's assured of the Executive Director's post. Why betray Owada?

Either Kurosaki's got something on him, or they have some special connection.

In any case, if we can get proof that Kishikawa and Kurosaki are communicating secretly,

there's a chance we can get to Owada from that angle.

- But if we can't get it by today... - There's no way for me to survive.

Did you find out anything about Kurosaki and Kishikawa?

Hometown, home address, high school, college, junior high school.

They had absolutely nothing in common.

- I see. - You know, Hanzawa,

one last time...

This is quite a comfortable chair. More so than I expected.

What can I do for you?

A lot of things happened between us, but

I thought I'd give you

one last chance.

- Chance? - Why don't you reconsider

submitting the report?

Of course, I did nothing wrong.

But it's inefficient use of time discussing something when the outcome is already known.

It's also bothersome to have to justify every little thing.

If you agree to withdraw the report,

I'll close my eyes to your disciplinary action.

- Don't you think it's a good deal? - I'm afraid I must decline.

I still have work to do.

Please step aside.

That's unfortunate.

That's right.

It seems you don't have conclusive evidence yet, so

shall I tell you of one good method?

It's easy. Okay?

All you have to do is cast away Kondo-kun.

He agreed to my deal and suppressed President Tamiya's testimonial.

So if you get President Tamiya to testify again,

both Kondo-kun and I will be finished.

Good idea, huh?

Go ahead...make my day.

Executive Director.

The double payback I spoke about earlier today,

I take it back.

If I get screwed, I'll screw you back.

For you,

it's a hundred times the payback!

Please keep that in mind.

Whether you multiply zero by 2,

or by 100,

the answer is zero, Hanzawa-kun.

I see. So you couldn't do it after all.

If I had a little more time, I can manage, but

we're talking about a well-known person at FSA.

It takes time to get to him.

I'm sorry for putting you through the trouble.

Not at all. At any rate, I'll keep digging until the last minute.

Thank you. Good bye.

Hello. What's up?

Hana!

You gave me a scare by showing up suddenly.

Here. Bento made by your loving wife.

You're working late again anyway, aren't you?

Thank you, Hana-chan.

I was about to pass out from hunger.

And here. The spy note.

Spy note?

I infiltrated into the wives' meeting that I never wanted to attend,

and listened endlessly to stories I never wanted to hear.

- You'd better appreciate it. - But why?

I told you that I wanted to support you.

I thought I might be able to get information on Owada like his weakness, but

I couldn't get anything worthwhile.

- Sorry. - That's okay.

It may be useful for...something. Thanks.

Mrs. Owada's unfriendly and doesn't say much,

so I figured Mrs. Kishikawa might know something

and tried to draw out information from her, but

she seemed to be really distressed.

About her daughter's marriage.

Marriage? Director Kishikawa's daughter?

She's having a small family wedding in Hawaii soon, but

there's a slight issue, and I haven't told very many people.

What's the issue...

Actually, she told me in secret.

Apparently, the guy she's marrying works for FSA.

Isn't that the pits? They're the bank's enemy.

Mrs. Kishikawa was worried that it's actually not a good thing

for an FSA official and a bank executive's daughter to marry, but

- is that true? - Sorry, I gotta go.

Where are you going?

Thanks, Hana!

Don't you think it's rude to come at this hour?

I apologize. There's an important matter I had to discuss with you tonight.

Important matter?

- I wanted to confirm one thing. - Confirm what?

Your intention.

Have you had a chance to take a look at this report?

Report on "The Indirect Loan to Lafite Incident" "The Iseshima Hotel Insider's Tip-Off Incident"

Briefly.

I'd like to confirm whether you'll acknowledge the contents of this report or not.

So that's what this is about.

You expect me to acknowledge that?

What's written there is unfounded.

Accused of a 30 million yen indirect loan and suppressing an insider's tip-off

without any grounds. Frankly, Executive Director Owada and I are both

quite upset over it.

Director Kishikawa. If you have any conscience left as a banker,

you must be regretting what you've done.

Please testify that you acknowledge the contents of this report at the board meeting.

Redeem yourself as a banker.

I can't acknowledge something that's not true.

Besides, speak for yourself.

Who's under fire by FSA as a problem manager.

Don't get high and mighty with me!

I'm sorry, but I'm expecting a visitor soon.

Take your leave now.

All right.

Before I go, allow me to extend my congratulations.

Congratulations on the upcoming wedding of your daughter.

But as a father, you must have some mixed feelings about it.

Why, she's marrying FSA's...

How did you know that?

Your wife seems to be very worried.

She told my wife everything and confided in her.

She's not sure if your daughter really loves him, or

whether you're forcing her into a marriage of convenience

in order to take advantage of his power.

That's not true! He's the one who brought up the marriage.

Contrary to how he appears, Kurosaki-san's actually...

So your daughter's marriage partner was Kurosaki-san after all.

Did you just trick me?

Are you okay with that, Director Kishikawa?

If that's the case, Kurosaki's recent conduct is a major problem.

He hid the fact that he had a personal relationship with our bank and

came to conduct the FSA inspection as the chief inspector.

- The top won't let it go if they find out. - That's a misunderstanding.

Yes indeed, I misunderstood. All this time,

I thought it was Executive Director Owada who was connected to Kurosaki.

So you were the direct point of contact.

Executive Director Owada also found out about the marriage,

and you had no choice but to become his puppet.

Am I wrong?

You must've gotten really fed up with that situation.

You betrayed Owada at that FSA inspection.

You leaked the hidden location of the files to Kurosaki.

Hey, Kishikawa. What's going on!

I don't know either!

If all the upper management goes away,

the next chairman's position isn't out of reach.

Is that what Kurosaki told you?

I can understand you favoring your future son-in-law.

However, secretly conspiring with FSA to put the bank in a disadvantageous position

is a serious crime, Director Kishikawa.

I'm sure your daughter will be terribly disappointed.

What was supposed to be an eagerly anticipated marriage to an elite from FSA

- is about to disappear before her very eyes. - Please, wait a minute.

No, I'm afraid I can't wait. I'm circulating this information to the media as well.

If that happens, your daughter will suffer the most.

Stop it! I did it all on my own.

My daughter knows nothing about the bank or FSA. She has nothing to do with this.

You and Kurosaki are the ones who dragged your unknowing daughter into this mess.

I beg you, Hanzawa-kun. Please...

please keep this matter to yourself. Please!

Please don't destroy my daughter's happiness.

I'm begging you, please!

If you're that concerned for your daughter,

you're still a decent human being.

You should be able to judge

what's the right thing to do.

No one's going to protect you anymore.

What is it that you should do as a banker.

Think about it ve~ry carefully, Director Kishitani.

What a surprise! Who would've thought we'd meet here.

I was surprised myself. That you're getting married.

- Looks like you found out, huh? - What are you scheming to do?

Are you planning to crush the bank from the inside by using Kishikawa?

That's not a bad idea. But

I rea~lly fell in love with her. What can I do?

Never mind.

Truly, I find you offensive.

You keep on getting in my way from one thing to the next.

Please don't obstruct my marriage, at least.

That all depends on Director Kishikawa.

If Daddy Kishitani gets punished and

gets kicked out of the bank,

that may work out nicely too.

I won't hold anything back.

The FSA inspection.

You'd better brace yourself.

Oh, you're home already?

Say...can you lend me about a million yen again?

I'm going to Milan next week to stock up.

I'm counting on you.

Day of

Board of Directors' Meeting

Public Relations Office

I'm Kondo. I've been assigned here effective today.

I'll do my best to become an immediate asset.

I look forward to working with you.

Operations Department 2, Deputy Manager Hanzawa.

Come in.

Now then, Deputy Manager Hanzawa.

Give us an explanation of your report.

With your permission, I will do so.

First of all, in regards to

the 20 billion yen loan provided to Iseshima Hotel last month.

Branch Manager Kaise and Deputy Manager Kozato of Kyobashi Branch

were aware of the 12 billion yen loss due to

an insider's tip-off from Iseshima Hotel.

Nevertheless, they suppressed that tip-off, and

proceeded with the 20 billion yen loan, pretending they knew nothing.

I'm sure you all know that as a result, our bank was

compelled to undergo severe hardship during the FSA inspection.

Manager Kaise is stating that he only followed orders from the top.

The individual who gave that order is as noted in the report.

Executive Director Owada.

You gave the order, didn't you?

I don't understand why you think so.

That cannot possibly be the truth.

In the first place, what do I have to gain from doing that?

Taking advantage of the 12 billion yen loss that Director Hane incurred,

didn't you scheme the downfall of the Chairman by making him take responsibility for

the mess up during the FSA inspection?

Oh my goodness, that's not like you, Hanzawa-kun.

The downfall of the Chairman?

First of all, that's being disrespectful to the Chairman.

It's completely groundless.

Or rather, there are no grounds to begin with.

Because, you see, it's not true.

I haven't done a single thing to be ashamed of.

Then let me ask you in regards to the other matter.

It's about the 30 million yen that was loaned to Tamiya Electric 5 years ago.

This money was sub-loaned immediately from Tamiya Electric to a company called Lafite.

The sub-loan is a problem in itself, but the bigger problem is the fact that

this Lafite is owned by Executive Director Owada's wife.

Isn't this obviously an indirect loan

that you ordered Director Kishitani, who was the Kyobashi Branch Manager

at the time, to carry out?

This state of affair violates compliance, as well as

the fair and equitable principle of a financial institution executive, and

can cause serious damage to our bank's social credibility.

I respectfully request the board's decision in response to this report.

Owada-kun, let's hear what you have to say.

I don't know what to say.

All this tedious talk he's been giving,

I can only say they're all erroneous assumption of the facts.

Deputy Manager Hanzawa, since you insist so strongly,

I presume you've confirmed the fact with President Tamiya.

Well, did you?

I'm assuming you have his testimony.

Unfortunately, I was unable to obtain President Tamiya's testimony.

Yes, of course not.

Because there's no such truth.

Deputy Manager Hanzawa, are you saying that I took part in an indirect loan

based on a one-sided investigation like that?

That's terrible.

Gentlemen. I can only think that this report itself

was written with malicious intent

in which the truth was distorted.

Deputy Manager Hanzawa. Do you, by any chance.

bear a grudge against me?

Upon confirmation, I found out that

my wife had, in fact, known President Tamiya for some time, and

and that she had been consulting with him about a loan.

In this situation,

the timing of the loan to Tamiya Electric and

that to my wife's company happened to coincide,

and as a result, this misunderstanding occurred.

According to my wife, she's planning to either ask Tamiya Electric to

convert the 30 million she borrowed to an investment

since it's been a while, or pay it back once.

Although this was an unanticipated occurrence,

for causing undue concern to all of you,

I offer my deepest apology. I'm terribly sorry.

That is all I have to say.

Gentlemen, what do you think?

Obviously, the conclusion as been reached.

Next, we have the demand for improvement filed against Deputy Manager Hanzawa...

Please wait.

You say you didn't know because it's something your wife did on her own?

Executive Director Owada. Since when did you start making up

lame excuses like politicians?

You're making a big mistake if you think we'd fall for such childish excuses.

In the first place, all this talk about paying back and converting to an investment

is lacking in a sense of reality.

It wasn't me. That's what my wife said.

Tamiya Electric is having financial difficulties.

Converting to investment is like pouring 30 million yen down the drain.

How is your wife's company planning to pay back 30 million

when it's significantly in the red?

Please tell us the repayment source.

I've been told there's someone who's interested in investing in my wife's company.

What company is that? Or is it an individual?

- Please give us the specifics. - How am I supposed to know all that.

She hasn't told you, is that correct?

Then please call your wife now, right here, and ask her.

- You're being rude! - While I'm being rude, let me say one more thing.

I don't mean to speak badly of your wife, but

does she really have what it takes to run a business?

About the only thing we bankers can do is follow the flow of money.

My partner was kind enough to thoroughly investigate

how you and your wife's money flowed in the past 5 years.

5 years ago, Lafite was in extreme financial difficulty, and it incurred a debt of some 10 million yen.

However, even after that, business didn't recover, and

the debts gradually piled up.

And then, your wife turned to loan sharks.

You suddenly drag out something that happened a long time ago, and now, you exaggerate.

That may have happened to tide over a crisis, but

all those debts have been paid back, and she has no debts now!

Hakusui Bank, Tokyo Chuo Credit Union,

Daido Loan. Trust Finance, Dot Money.

As a result of continuously rolling over debts

from numerous financial institutions and loan sharks,

by the time you realized,

your wife was saddled with a debt of over 100 million.

That's why you carried out the indirect loan of 30 million

- as a stopgap measure... - That's stretching it!

I took the liberty of checking your personal account as well.

The account of Tokyo Chuo Bank's executive director, of all people,

had a negative balance.

Your home is still heavily tied up in mortgage, and

your remaining debt is in excess of 50 million...

Stop your jabbering, Hanzawa! Wasn't it that attitude of yours

that was determined to be a problem by FSA!

The one who should be

judged at this board meeting is you.

Make no mistake about it!

I don't mind you getting carried away after

overcoming the inspection on Iseshima Hotel, but

because you, you alone...

lack the common sense,

- the morality of our entire bank is being questioned! - Morality?

Do such things like morals still exist in this bank?

What I'm saying, and what Executive Direct Owada is saying.

Who is right, and who is wrong.

Anyone who can think would know.

However, Gentlemen,

until now, at this table, you've all been turning into white

what you believed to be black by fallacy.

The result of that is this Tokyo Chuo Bank.

Executive Director Owada, do you remember what you told me?

You said mega banks are supporting the economy of this country.

We can never go under, no matter what.

Just as you said, banks should never go under.

But by getting too fixated on that, haven't we turned into

a group that only thinks about ourselves without realizing it?

We cast away the weak, and

think nothing of forcing our self-serving ideas onto others.

Problems get put off, and not one person takes responsibility.

Clinging on to foolish faction rivalry, constantly checking each other out.

Subordinates are constantly gauging the superiors' feeling, and

won't speak up and say what they think is right.

A bank like that

might as well have gone under!

In this world,

there are lots of people and businesses who really need the bank's help.

If we're going to continue betraying them,

we might as well not exist.

Let's not

go on fooling ourselves anymore.

Black is black, and white is white.

Don't you think so?

Director Kishikawa.

Director Kishikawa,

you were named in the report too, weren't you?

Let's hear what you have to say too.

In regards to this report,

is there anything you wish to say?

In regards to the contents of this report, I...

There's no need to hold back, Director Kishikawa.

Speak your mind honestly.

Not a single thing in this report

- do I recall... - Kishikawa-san.

What were you going to say?

Director Kishikawa.

The contents...of this report are...

Chairman, Director Kishikawa seems to be under the weather...

Kishikawa-san's talking now. Shut up and listen!

Watch your mouth! I'm the executive director. Executive director, you hear!

I'm sorry, Executive Director Owada.

- I... - Hey, stop it, Kishikawa. Kishikawa?

In regards to what's written in this report...

- Shut your mouth, Kishikawa! - I acknowledge it!

5 years ago, when I was at the Kyobashi Branch,

I processed a 30 million yen loan to Tamiya Electric.

However, that was

that was actually a sub-loan to save Executive Director Owada's wife's company.

Executive Director Owada made a request to President Tamiya and they reached an agreement.

Kishikawa! What is your problem?

I know nothing about that. I know nothing!

- What about Iseshima Hotel? - That too.

Because there was an insider's tip-off from Iseshima Hotel,

both Executive Director Owada and I

were aware that they were going to incur a loss of 12 billion. However,

we covered up the truth and

set it up so that the 20 billion yen loan would get processed.

- That's something you did on your own! - No it isn't!

I followed Executive Director Owada's orders, and

- and I carried everything out. -Kishikawa!

Shut up!

I didn't want to turn out like this either.

Not like this...

Chairman... Gentlemen...

Director Kishikawa is just talking nonsense.

There isn't a single evidence! Why would I do a thing like indirect loan...

You're embarrassing yourself, Executive Director Owada.

This is retribution for what you've done in the past.

How do you feel getting betrayed by your subordinate who you took advantage of thoroughly.

I think that's quite enough.

Executive Director Owada.

You will be notified of your disciplinary action at a later date.

All right?

Does anyone have any objection?

- Then, with this... - We're not finished yet.

Executive Director Owada.

The promise you made me,

you remember, don't you?

Promise?

You promised to get down on your knees and apologize

if you turned out to be the one who ordered the Iseshima cover-up.

I won't let you tell me you don't remember.

Come on now. Let's have you do it.

You, the executive director of all people,

aren't intending to break your promise, are you?

Getting down on your knees is just a performance. I'll do it all you want.

Isn't that what you said? Let's see it!

Hanzawa, I think that's enough.

Chief, this is between Executive Director Owada and me.

Please don't stop me.

Please get down on your knees.

If you're a leader at all, show us you can accept defeat like a man.

What's the matter?

My pride as an executive director won't allow me to concede defeat to a subordinate.

If that's what you're thinking,

you're making a big mistake.

You're not apologizing to me.

You're apologizing to all the people and companies

from whom you took away their umbrellas on a rainy day and

and cut them off like a lizard's tail.

Please get down on your knees.

Executive Director Owada...

- Hanzawa, that's enough. - No.

I can't let it end here.

All the people who clung to you, groveling in the dirt,

verbally abused, treated with contempt,

but still, in order to protect

their family, their company...

to desperately protect what's important to them,

they kept on getting down on their knees before you.

Their pain, their anger, their bitter frustration,

I'll have you experience that too.

Please get down on your knees.

Do it! Owada!

A Few Days Later

Executive Director Owada is here.

Come in.

Sorry for troubling you, Owada-kun.

Not at all. Please don't worry about me. Where am I going?

Is it Kano Lumber in Hokkaido?

Or somewhere like Komiyama Shipbuilding in Sasebo...

I will now

pronounce the disciplinary action against you.

Owada Akira.

Effective today, I hereby remove you from the position of executive managing director,

and order your demotion to a board member.

That's all.

You may leave.

Why?

I'm in no position now to complain even if I was given a disciplinary dismissal.

Are you sure this is how you want to settle the matter?

People's worth cannot be surmised with money.

Bankers should be looking at people,

not money.

That's what I think.

I...

respected you as a banker.

- Demotion?! - That's right.

- Is that all? Isn't he getting shipped out? - Apparently not.

So Director Kishikawa, who was shipped out, was forced to bear the sole responsibility, huh?

Yup. Precisely the lizard's tail.

At any rate, he's really something else. He's not a chairman for nothing.

- What do you mean? - It's easy to transfer Owada out.

But if he does that, there's a possibility that a second or third Owada

would come forth and the factional strife would still continue.

- That's true. - So it means the Chairman,

by winning over Owada who's the top of the former Sangyo Chuo,

took control of his power too.

Now Owada can't go against Chairman Nakanowatari for the rest of his life.

He's probably planning to move right into proceeding with the conciliatory policy.

The person who changed black into white was the Chairman.

Is that really okay with you?

Hanzawa.

Are you really okay with that?

You should be getting the unofficial notice just about today, huh?

You'll be even busier when you become Deputy Department Chief, won't you?

- I'm not sure. - Before that happens, why don't you

take 2, 3 days off and us three go to Kanazawa?

Kanazawa? Yeah, that's fine.

You should go see your mother once in a while.

Besides, there's something you should report to your father too, right?

I guess so.

Then it's decided. Make you sure get your leave approved.

Deputy Department Chief Hanzawa.

Naoki.

You did great.

Hanzawa.

The Chairman would like to see you.

Get yourself to the Chairman's Office right away.

Since the Chairman's personally giving him the notice,

it won't be surprising if it's a unexpected personnel move.

What's that supposed to mean?

You're kidding. Promotion to Department Chief?

If you think about Hanzawa's achievements until now,

don't you think that's a possibility?

Looking back, the recovery of 500 million yen back in the Osaka Nishi Branch days,

the revival of Iseshima Hotel, averting the FSA inspection crisis.

Add to those, finding Owada guilty of his wrongdoings.

With all those accomplishments to his name,

it won't be surprising if he was specially promoted two ranks.

Hanzawa right now is like a trusty sword to Chairman Nakanowatari.

He undoubtedly got on track as a candidate for the next chairman.

There really might come a day when he becomes the chairman.

Really, huh?

Operations Department 2, Deputy Manager Hanzawa is here.

Come in.

Hanzawa.

You really did a good job this time around.

I give you my thanks as Chairman.

However,

I must say you crossed the line at the end there. Think about what you did.

Yes. I apologize for that.

I will now

deliver your letter of appointment.

I do hope you'll accept it.

Deputy Manager Hanzawa Naoki.

I hereby order your transfer to

Tokyo Central Securities as Department Chief

of Marketing Department!