USSR 1991

Originally, Obuchi was supposed to be the Speaker of the House of Representatives.He once expressed his willingness to accept, but he was opposed by local supporters because he had no chance of being the speaker and the future prime minister.Fukushiro Ega, Mikio Aoki, Minsuke Watanuki and secretary Toshitaka Furukawa who were close to his subordinates opposed the push, which caused Keizo Obuchi to miss the speaker of the National Assembly, and finally Soichiro Ito, who was close to Takeshita, became the speaker of the House of Representatives.But this does not prevent him, the "future prime minister's successor", from having a dialogue with the current prime minister Ryutaro Hashimoto.

The prime minister did not show any joy at the news. Although the return on investment in the later stage was huge, the investment in the early stage was equally astonishing.Just like they thought that the initial investment in the original Kara Sea Oilfield would not cost too much budget.But the actual situation quickly exceeded the expectations of the Japanese, and this sea area was almost a bottomless pit.But the money has already been spent, and the oil companies will suffer heavy losses if they quit before they see the oil.

Ryutaro Hashimoto supported his forehead with his left hand, and said with some helplessness, "The Petroleum Strategy Company has already spent its budget on the Kara Sea Oilfield, and we have no ability to invest in the Sakhalin Oilfield again. It is very important for the government's finances." heavy burden."

"I know."

Although he is only the foreign minister, he is not ignorant of the poor financial situation in the country.The minister of the Ministry of Finance has complained to Hashimoto Ryutaro more than once about the current economic difficulties, but Hashimoto Ryutaro seems at a loss for the current economic downturn.

"Although we have no room for competition, this does not mean that the oil companies under the general trading company are not competitive. Mitsui and Mitsubishi have long been dissatisfied with the Kara Sea oilfield incident that officials did not let them participate. Now Saha The Lin-3 project plan just allows these energy and oil majors to take the lead in order to meet the returns that they have not been able to participate in the oil issue before."

Keizo Obuchi said to Ryutaro Hashimoto very seriously, "On the issue of cooperation with the Soviet Union, is Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto planning to visit the Soviet Union?"

Hashimoto Ryutaro suddenly showed a look of vigilance. He didn't know why the other party would suddenly ask this question. The plan to visit Moscow hadn't been formally put on the agenda, but he felt that it was time to start a cooperation project with the Soviet Union.

"What do you mean?"

Ryutaro Hashimoto asked cautiously. Seeing the Prime Minister's expression, the Foreign Minister had roughly guessed something.

"There is no need to hide it. I know that Japan is now thinking of actively developing relations with the Soviet Union. After all, China's reform and opening up and the Soviet Union's new economic policy are opportunities for Japan. Now Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Honda are not actively seeking Is the cooperation with the Lada Automobile Factory? If it can promote each other politically, this is an important move for Japanese brands to enter the Soviet Union. Moreover, the Soviet Union has one of the best heavy industries in the world, which is also mutually beneficial for Japan’s industrial development. Complementary."

For general trading companies, the Soviet Union is more like an undeveloped virgin land, mysterious and full of temptations. If this large market can be opened, it will bring great vitality to Japan.This is what Hashimoto Ryutaro is looking forward to with all his heart.The previous Kara Sea oilfield development plan and the laying of oil pipelines have given Japan a taste of the sweetness, but the next benefits will be even greater.

That's why I couldn't wait to visit the Soviet Union.

"Since Minister Megumi Obuchi already knows what I'm going to do, you can also analyze Japan's next few steps by the way?"

"Resisting the pressure of the United States, promoting Sino-Japanese friendship and Japan-Soviet friendship, and promoting economic and cultural exchanges between the three countries, Yanayev visited Sakhalin, but took the initiative to avoid the issue of the four northern islands. They don't want to conflict with us on this issue. Then we should temporarily put aside the issues left over from history and promote the economic development among the three parties."

Keizo Obuchi, who is pro-China, naturally knows how important it is to have a good relationship with his neighbors. Although the northern superpowers are announcing disarmament and staff reduction every year, they dare not relax in the slightest—the Pacific Fleet of the Red Navy All outdated old models were eliminated, but new ships were added year by year. Although the number showed a downward trend, the combat effectiveness became more terrifying year by year. After abandoning the previous saturation attack method, they It has become a fleet with ocean-going capabilities.Moreover, the Maritime Self-Defense Force has stated more than once that the King Kong class can no longer stop the trend of the aircraft carrier fleet going south.

It has become commonplace for strategic bombers to carry nuclear weapons around the island before. The tough policy adopted by Gen. Nakatani, who is the director of the Defense Agency, has drawn a more tough counterattack from the Soviet army.

It wasn't until the Prime Minister who adopted a soft policy came to power that the tense conflicts gradually subsided.

"Minister Obuchi, I have already made my decision."

Hashimoto Ryutaro stood up slowly with his hands on the table, he walked to the window sill with his hands behind his back, and said in a low voice, "I hope you can accompany me to Moscow for this diplomatic visit."

"The only thing I am worried about now is the pressure from the United States. I have a vague feeling that the United States will not tolerate us getting closer to China and the Soviet Union. It will definitely try to obstruct it."

Ryutaro Hashimoto is well aware that Japan is in an awkward position in East Asia, since the moderate leaders who are committed to easing the relationship between the two sides cannot let the situation get out of hand.

But if he still can't find a way out, Japan will face the danger of the right wing coming to power.

"So after my failure, I hope that Japan can have a leader who can turn the tide and lead the country out of the economic downturn. I have worked hard for a long time, and the previous leaders have also worked hard, but they cannot solve this problem. Dead button."

Hashimoto Ryutaro cast his eyes on Obuchi Keizo, with some kind of meaningful expectation in his eyes.

"I hope that the next leader will not give up all the efforts made before. This country has been ruined by a group of fanatics once, and I don't want to see the second mushroom cloud rise over Japan. Although I am a professional Politicians, but as long as I am still there, and those group of true patriots are still there, Japan should not be led into the abyss. I will stand on this road and stop them without retreating."

"Hashimoto..."

Obuchi Keizo suddenly felt that the image of the Prime Minister in front of him had grown taller. Although his attempts and efforts had failed, he did not back down.

The professional politicians who are active in the political arena are all old, and some of them are only slick in seeking advantages and avoiding disadvantages, and have lost their original enthusiasm.But there is always someone who has to stand up and stop a flood beast from stretching out its sharp claws from the cage.

He bowed deeply towards Obuchi Keisan, and lowered the gray and white tightly.

"If I fail unfortunately, the next thing is up to you."

Chapter 927 Technology for Oil

Ryutaro Hashimoto’s reception to Yanayev in Japan this time was more grand than ever before. He knew what the other party came for. Moscow’s just-right publicity gave Ryutaro Hashimoto, who was in despair and predicament, hope. .He expects that this visit will open up the joint oil cooperation between the two parties, and promote the Sakhalin-3 oil project occupied by the general trading company more smoothly.

When Hashimoto Ryutaro thought he was taking advantage, he stepped into the trap designed by Yanayev step by step.There has never been a free lunch in the world. Moscow just seized the mentality of being greedy for petty gains and led the Japanese into the trap step by step. When they found out that they had been tricked, Yanayev had already firmly grasped live them.

Comrade Yanayev's offensive begins.

The state guest's convoy carrying that heavyweight appeared at the gate of the Kremlin. Hashimoto Ryutaro was watching the scenery around the street along the way. The store closed in 1991, and the depression of economic collapse has long passed, replaced by a scene of prosperity.Busy streets, bustling streets, and billboards everywhere.This city that has been standing for hundreds of years has regained its youthful vitality.No wonder some people say that this is a city not inferior to New York.

The blood stains on the square have already penetrated into the bricks and tiles, becoming a sad joke for the people after dinner.Those intellectuals who lamented the death of the Soviet Union have long since hid in the dark space in shame, blaming themselves for their ignorance.

Hashimoto Ryutaro watched this scene with mixed feelings in his heart.One Soviet Union and one China simultaneously exploded with astonishing reform results, which made Japan, which was used to being the world's second largest economy in the [-]th century, a little flustered.

On the other hand, in addition to the sluggish economy, the rapidly spreading aging population, and a lot of social problems in China, the pressure on Hashimoto Ryutaro is not as easy as that of Nayev.This so-called greatest general secretary after Comrade Stalin brought a crumbling country directly to its second revival.

The great reformer, the invincible statesman, and the worst enemy of all, the enemy of the free world, the tyrant of the people.

All the mixed titles are paradoxically focused on this man, making him the most enigmatic government leader of the twentieth century.

Hashimoto Ryutaro, who recovered from his contemplation, stepped out of the state guest car, and accompanied by Obuchi Keizo and the Japanese ambassador to the Soviet Union, went to the beautifully decorated meeting room. First, they held a meeting in St. George's Hall, which received foreign guests had a meeting.

Yanayev walked over with a smile, and held hands tightly with Hashimoto Ryutaro. The media raised their cameras to record this moment of friendship between Su and Japan.

"Hello, General Secretary Yanayev."

Hashimoto Ryutaro said with a smile.

"Hello, Prime Minister Ryutaro Hashimoto." Yanayev replied in not-so-standard Japanese, which surprised Ryutaro Hashimoto.Yanayev's answer was very natural, and did not make the other party feel that he was trying to please the other party.

But he could feel that there was something in Yanayev's words.

After the two parties exchanged pleasantries, they entered the proposition rightly.The cooperation plan on the oil project is the top priority, and every second of Ryutaro Hashimoto is precious.

Looking at the Japanese Prime Minister who was in a hurry, Yanayev suddenly had a strange idea.In a few months, the Asia-Pacific financial crisis will break out. Japan, whose economy is already in jeopardy, is seeking new development and cooperation. Will it become a trigger for the United States to move to Asia?

If this reason is true, then the outbreak of economic crisis in history is not an accidental factor.

"General Secretary Yanayev, this visit is to promote the cooperation and development of the oil project between the two sides. Japan is very interested in the development project of the Sakhalin oil field, so we are willing to help you on the oil issue. Overcome the difficulties. General trading companies can provide a strong guarantee of development funds to help the Sakhalin state government overcome the shortage of funds caused by the exploration of oil fields.”

Hashimoto Ryutaro knew very well that he had to be straightforward when talking to Mao Kuma, and the way of thinking that the Orientals beat around the bush would not work at their negotiating table.This group of guys who are terrifyingly generous and scary and equally scary when they are stingy can't deal with them with normal people's thinking.

But it's a pity that Ryutaro Hashimoto's opponents have always been people who communicate with normal people's thinking and simple and crude means, so his rhetoric did not work on Yanayev.

"I just want to know why the Japanese insisted that we have no ability to develop the Sakhalin-3 oil field project. Even if we don't have the ability to develop it independently, why Japan must think that our customer is only you, and East Asian countries have too many choices. too much."

Yanayev directly pushed back Hashimoto Ryutaro's words, and he still showed a sincere and cooperative attitude, but the Japanese Prime Minister felt an invisible pressure on his rhetoric.

The other party came prepared, and the pretense of friendship that he had made before was completely torn apart at this moment, revealing his true face.A fighting nation that knows how to calculate is far more insidious and terrifying than simple and rough guys, especially when the tactics are both tough and soft, it is impossible to guess how to parry the next move.

"Mitsubishi Oil Corporation and Mitsui Oil Corporation are one of the world's energy giants. We have the best oil exploration and construction teams. If the Soviet government wants to exploit oil fields on a large scale, Japan is a good choice. We have jointly developed before We have passed the Kara Sea Oilfield, so there is no doubt about our strength."

Ryutaro Hashimoto answered confidently, he had done his homework before coming to the Soviet Union.Originally, the Kara Sea was a sea area that was difficult to exploit. It was Japan that solved the problem of oil extraction that allowed the Soviet Union to reduce the cost of technology, thereby reducing the cost of crude oil extraction.Let the Kara Sea Oilfield, which is comparable to the oil production in the Gulf of Mexico, truly become a black gold mine.

"I know, but apart from Japan, several other countries have also expressed their willingness to do the same."

Yanayev placed the negotiating materials of other countries in front of Ryutaro Hashimoto. In addition to the old Chinese friends he was familiar with, there were even other countries such as South Korea that came in to get a share.