While at the bank I pulled out a decent amount of money in cash. This country utilizes cash a significant amount more than I'm used to. They prefer the use of cash rather than most electronic payment methods.
Which is fine, electronic is more convenient, but cash is better. Because cash will always be worth what it says. If you use an electronic payment then other companies get a share of what was meant for the shop.
Those Point of Sale machines cost money and every transaction that goes through it also gets a share taken. So, it's better for the small family owned shops to always pay in cash.
Since we were done with the bank we walked back to the government office.
There we got back into more paperwork.
Ren Shiro, having finished the paperwork he was working on, asked, "So, now that we have finished the basic paperwork, we can look at the more important things. Like where you would like to open your manufacturing company. If you don't have an idea, we have a list of places you can take a look at."
"I actually looked around already and found a place I like. But, I don't know if there is a place to put my factory."
"Oh, well, that makes things easier. Even if there isn't, we can probably find a place to put it. So, where is it?"
"It's North of Sendai, in the Iwate prefecture, in one of the small coastal towns."
"Ok. Let's see… got it. You are in luck there are actually a few places around there that you could use.
The first option is probably not the best but there is an available place to build your own private port and then place the factory on that. But the cost is going to be in the tens of millions.
The second one is a great option. It is an almost bare plot on a fishing port and marina. It already has a private entry road off centred on the plot. You also get your own dock that could be used for shipping. There is also plenty of parking available. The plot is right next to a water treatment plant. The biggest con is that it doesn't have flood or tsunami protection.
The third and last option is probably the best. It is an old fuel supplier depot. It has lots of warehouse space, parking, functioning water pumps, it has a huge port, as well as a shipping area already. It has basically everything you need already set up and functional. It even has a wall to keep trespassers out.
So, which do you think is best?"
"I don't know. I need to see them in person and get a look at what the actual cost is to get them operational."
"That's completely understandable. We would also need to get an inspector out to see if the old fuel depot is up to code. Which I can say now probably isn't. When do you think you will be able to get out there?"
"Let's see… well on my phone it says that it will only take five and a half hours to take a few trains out there. I could do that tomorrow."
"Ah… well maybe you could push it back a little? We need to send a person out with you. I'd like to give them a day to get packed and find lodging for you both."
"Ok. Yeah, that's fine. I can find something to do in Tokyo tomorrow. I'd like to explore it while I'm here."
"Yes. You definitely should. Tokyo has many things to offer."
"Ok. Are we done for the day?"
"Yes. We can actually start the process for that area since it is all under one office. We will let them know that a person is looking to open a manufacturing plant there and get the ball rolling. We won't be able to finalize anything until you make a choice. Once you do, our team will be right into action. But, we have nothing else for you to sign today."
"Ok. Then I will leave you guys to it. Have a nice day."
"Yes. Have a nice day."
I left the government office and started looking for somewhere to eat. I found a nice little spot and had a tasty meal.
Afterward I started walking around the city when I saw an ad for an anime that came out when I was in high school.
It was an anime about cooking. I remember having conversations about cooking and that anime while I was in creative writing.
I talked about it with a Yamato exchange student named Zac. Zac wasn't his real name, just what he went by while he was here.
Zac and I both played on the varsity soccer team. That was until a shipping truck plowed into the back of his car while he was driving. Well, he was actually sitting in a left turn lane waiting when the truck hit him.
He was ok for the most part, he had a concussion which prevented him from playing for the rest of the season. The thing he was really upset about was that he messed up his teeth. He hit his mouth on the steering wheel which messed up a few teeth.
Anyway, Zac moved back to Yamato when he graduated. I don't know if he lives in Tokyo or not. But, I'm still friends with him on InstaPics so I can always ask.
The last I heard from him he was traveling around Yamato on a motorcycle. But that was a few years ago. He always loved cooking so it would be cool if he opened his own cafe.
I wonder if he got married or even has kids? I know a few of my friends do, whether they're married or not is a different matter though.
I pulled out my phone and took a picture of the ad. Then I sent it to Zac and said, "Hey, it's been a while. I'm in Tokyo for a few days. Let me know if you want to get together to catch up."