Chapter 5: Sugawara's Defection and the Crisis at Mitsui & Co.

1. Sugawara's transfer and B-EN-G's confusion

Sugawara's decision to transfer
When Shigeru Sugawara made the decision to move to Mitsubishi Corporation, there was great turmoil within B-EN-G. Many members who had supported Sugawara's vision and leadership, while understanding his decision, were concerned about the fate of B-EN-G thereafter.

• Shigeru Sugawara:
He said, "I intend to use IT at Mitsubishi Corporation to change the future of Japan, including trade. I have reached my limit here."
Sugawara's move had a major impact on morale within B-EN-G, especially as it threatened to disrupt the project he was leading. Both the operation of Zipangu Coin (ZPG) and the maintenance and operation of the trading system were heavily dependent on Sugawara's leadership, and his absence could have had a serious impact on operations.
• Toshio Sueyoshi:
"What will B-EN-G do after Sugawara leaves? We have a responsibility to stabilize ZPG and the trade system."

The remaining members of B-EN-G tried desperately to cope with Sugawara's will, but in the absence of a charismatic leader like Sugawara, confusion within the organization was inevitable.

2. Emergence of Mitsui Trade Service

The Emergence of Mitsui Trade Service and its Role
While Mitsui's trading operations were facing a major crisis, Mitsui Trade Service appeared on the scene. This company ran Mitsui's trade operations and was entrusted with the stable operation of the trade system following the turmoil at B-EN-G. In particular, the company was to be responsible for an important part of the trade's commercial transactions, and it was imperative that the operations be rebuilt and stabilized.
Mitsui Trade Service moved to maintain the flow of commercial transactions, and to operate efficiently and stabilize the system. They were required to implement a new management structure, strengthen cooperation with their trading partners, and facilitate all commercial settlements.

• Mitsui Trade Services representative:
"We must firmly reestablish our system and normalize our business transactions. We need to act quickly so as not to cause any disruption."
• Business Restructuring and Stabilization
Mitsui Trade Service quickly proceeded to review the flow of trade transactions and develop remedial measures in order to achieve stable operations amidst the turmoil at B-EN-G. They were required to implement a new administrative structure, coordinate with trading partners, and facilitate all commercial settlements.

3. Utsutsu Umiyama's Decision and Visit to Mitsui Trade Services

Umiyama's sense of crisis and site visit
Utsutsu Umiyama made the decision to go directly to Mitsui Trade Service in response to the disorganization of Mitsui's trade operations and the fact that commercial transactions were beginning to stagnate. As a senior management executive, Umiyama was keenly aware of the urgent need to stabilize trade operations, and he believed that in order to fulfill this responsibility, he needed to know what was really happening on the ground.

• Utsutsu Umiyama:
"This is a matter of the very fate of our business. We need to look directly at the situation on the ground and figure out how we should respond."

Umiyama went to the office of Mitsui Trade Service and talked with the staff actually in charge of trade operations, exchanging opinions about the current situation and future policies. He felt the tension on the ground as well as the concerted efforts of the staff, and was determined to do everything in his power to support them in their efforts to get their business back on track.

4. Encounter between Utsutsu Umiyama and Asako Oda

Meeting at Mitsui Trade Service
Utsutsu Umiyama was inspecting operations at Mitsui Trade Service, where he met Asako Oda for the first time. Asako Oda was in charge of restructuring the trade system and coordinating with business partners, and she handled her duties calmly and efficiently. There were moments when Umiyama was naturally drawn to her soft personality and sincere attitude toward her work. Through their conversations on the job, they gradually begin to become aware of each other.

• Umiyama present:
He said, "We need calm and excellent people like you to run our trade operations. I look forward to working with you."
• Asako Oda:
"Thank you. We will do our best to stabilize the trade system. It has been a pleasure speaking with you."

Although their awareness of each other naturally grew during the course of their work, at this stage they did not yet have excessive expectations or feelings for each other, and were still in the process of strengthening their trust in each other's work. However, a strong will to succeed in business together and a feeling of mutual support for each other were gradually beginning to develop between the two of them.