Tokyo Barrister: Start the law firm bankruptcy

Chapter 685 Press Conference

Two weeks after the trial ended.

9:53 am.

Shinjuku City Hall, 3rd floor reception hall.

The entire wide hall was packed with reporters. Many cameras were pointed at the stage. From time to time, there were staff on site directing and adjusting the camera positions. Clerks kept coming in and out, busying around, making final preparations.

Today is the day when Shinjuku City Hall holds a press conference.

This press conference is a response to the recent administrative adjudication case filed by Kitahara and others.

Kenichi Yoshizumi, the local governor of Shinjuku City Hall, and the directors of various departments such as the Finance Department and the Investment Planning Department will also be present.

Of course, the main promoter of the High-tech Park project is indispensable——

Ishiwatari, the deputy head of the Development Committee.

Soon, the appointed time arrived.

The noisy voices in the conference hall gradually quieted down.

Various filming and live broadcast equipment began to flash lights.

A group of people appeared on the left side of the podium. These men in suits were all prominent figures in the city hall. The first middle-aged man to step onto the stage was the local governor, Kenichi Yoshizumi. Yoshizumi looked dignified, as if he had made decisions after many years of experience.

And the second one——

It's Ishiwa.

Ishiwatari came today as well. Yes, he had to come because he was the main person in charge of the High-Tech Park project. In the past two weeks, he was the target of fierce criticism in all the internal meetings of the city hall. Especially in dealing with the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly investigation team, he was unable to respond to the questions that were caught.

Now, Ishiwatari understands that he will soon become the target of City Hall.

It is obvious that he is going to be transferred back to the official cabinet agency.

It is only one step away from returning to a bright future.

However, at this time... a lawyer... ruined things!!

Ishiwatari was unwilling to give in.

He still didn't want to believe what was happening before him.

When they saw the leaders from the city hall entering the venue, flash lights suddenly started to go off.

The cameras in the conference hall were all aimed at these local powerful figures.

Local leaders from one of Tokyo's wealthiest districts gathered here.

Soon everyone was seated.

This press conference was not a good thing.

This was a press conference that brought shame to Shinjuku City Hall.

Hence, there were no opening greetings.

There was no warm smile common among politicians.

After the local governor Yoshizumi took his seat, he announced directly: "Good morning, everyone. Today we will introduce to the citizens the possible illegal bidding for the High-tech Park project. The High-tech Park project is the most important investment project in our Shinjuku District in recent years, and our city hall will certainly pay full attention to it. Now, please allow the person in charge of the project, Mr. Ishiwata, deputy director of the Development Committee, to introduce the situation."

In an instant, all cameras were focused on Ishiwata.

Ishiwatari's throat felt tight.

He knew what the standard response for a politician should be in such a situation.

That's an apology.

But precisely because he knew this, he didn't want to do it.

This is a great shame and humiliation. All of this is caused by that lawyer named Kitahara.

Who would have thought that the contractor who usually begged the city hall on his knees would dare to rebel and file a complaint against the city hall? !
Ishiwatari refused to accept it!!

However, the deputy director of the Development Committee soon felt the gaze from the side, which was from the local governor Yoshizumi who was sitting next to him.

Commander Yoshizumi glanced at him sternly.

The meaning is very clear, which is to urge him to move faster.

Ishiwatari felt a little tight in his chest. No matter how reluctant he was, he still had to do it. Ishiwatari didn't like to apologize. He hated to apologize. He was always strong-willed and capable. Originally, if nothing unexpected happened, this press conference should have been a celebration meeting for the completion of the high-tech park project.

However, none of this will happen.

Ishiwatari gritted his teeth, his eyes bloodshot.

He stood up.

Time seems to stand still at this moment.

Once hailed as a shining new star in politics, now he can only nod his head in dismay.

6◇9◇Book◇Bar

"Hello, everyone. Before I report the situation, I would like to first say sorry to President Hamanaka and others involved in the administrative adjudication case of the High-tech Park project. I apologize for the incomplete bidding process for the project. I am sorry for causing you trouble!"

The deputy chief bowed deeply.

The man who holds financial power in Shinjuku Ward apologized.

As he bowed, more flashes of light went off.

Hundreds of reporters present took forced photos.

The high-handed deputy chief apologized.

As you can imagine, this photo will be the headline on the evening news.

Ishiwatari's voice was trembling as he began to introduce the situation. Just like all the introductions, they were all bland and meaningless. Ishiwatari's introduction was no exception. Basically, he emphasized the importance of the high-tech park industrial project, how the city hall worked diligently, and although the procedures were not perfect, there were no problems with the procedures in all aspects.

The media, of course, will not be satisfied with such bland speeches.

soon--

It's time for questions.

One sharp question after another was immediately raised:

"I am a reporter from the Asahi Shimbun. It is understood that the cause of this case is that Shinjuku City Hall has long been in arrears with the contractors of municipal projects. According to our investigation, the payment cycle of Shinjuku City Hall for municipal projects is usually as long as 10 to 18 months. Why is the project payment delayed for such a long time?"

"I'm a reporter from the Tokyo Shimbun. The project funds have not been paid for such a long time. Is there any misappropriation in the process?"

"I'm a reporter from Kyodo News. Is the problem with the bidding for the High-Tech Park project just a matter of incomplete procedures? Is it appropriate for you to answer this question before the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly's investigation team comes to a conclusion?"

"I'm a reporter from the Sankei Shimbun. According to the materials we have, bid emails from different companies came from the same IP address. Is this a form of bid rigging? Are you conducting further investigation?"

"I'm a reporter from the Mainichi Shimbun. May I ask if you know the progress of the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly's investigation team's investigation into the project? Have you contacted the Tokyo Metropolitan Assembly's investigation members?"

"I'm a reporter from NHK News. The Tokyo Metropolitan Finance Department has already ruled that Shinjuku City Hall needs to disclose the information on the bidding project involved. When does the city hall expect to complete the disclosure of the information?"

The reporters' questions kept coming.

Each one is more difficult and harder to answer than the last.

It was also from this press conference that various forces began to surge undercurrents.

The re-election of members of parliament in April next year will be a major event in the East.

The fierce party struggles could not let go of a scandal like this one in Shinjuku District.

The first domino has fallen...

(End of this chapter)