Chapter 179 – Delicate and Sensual: A Japanese Beauty
After the main creative team of Bram Stoker's Dracula departed Japan, Aaron chose to stay behind.
His reason was simple: he intended to establish Dawnlight International Pictures' Japanese branch, with offices planned in Tokyo and Osaka. The new subsidiary would be responsible for theatrical distribution, VHS rental and sales, as well as secondary licensing to Japanese television networks.
His assistant, Evelyn Beckett, accompanied him to Japan to help set everything up.
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"The box office for Indecent Proposal in Japan reached 1.3 billion yen," Aaron said, sitting on the sofa in his suite at the Imperial Hotel Tokyo, flipping through reports.
"That's a pretty solid result."
"Yes," Evelyn replied. "We're planning to work with Tokuma Shoten here. You have dinner tonight with Tokuma Yasuyoshi."
Tokuma Shoten Group was a major Japanese entertainment conglomerate, spanning music and home video through Tokuma Japan Communications, film production via Daiei, animation through Studio Ghibli, games and PC software under Tokuma Shoten Intermedia, and printing through Tokuma Press Center.
Notably, the Chinese-language film Ju Dou had previously been financed by Tokuma Shoten and directed by Zhang Yimou.
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"Studio Ghibli, too," Evelyn added.
"This year, Hayao Miyazaki's Porco Rosso earned 2.8 billion yen at the Japanese box office—Japan's highest-grossing film of the year."
At the current exchange rate of roughly 120 yen to the dollar, that amounted to more than 23 million USD—an impressive figure by any standard.
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That evening, Tokuma Yasuyoshi, founder of Tokuma Shoten, hosted Aaron Anderson for dinner at the Hotel Okura Tokyo.
Built in the 1960s, the Hotel Okura was renowned for its distinctly Japanese architectural style, entirely free of Western design influence—a rare and elegant landmark in Tokyo.
Tokuma Yasuyoshi, now over seventy years old, had begun serving as Chairman of the Tokyo International Film Festival the previous year.
During dinner, he studied Aaron's youthful appearance and smiled with genuine admiration.
"Mr. Anderson," Tokuma said, "you truly are young and accomplished."
A relatively new studio like Dawnlight Pictures, producing hit after hit and carving out a place among Hollywood's major players in just a few short years—it was no small feat.
Aaron smiled faintly.
"Yesterday, I watched an epic film—remarkably well made."
"Oh?" Tokuma asked with interest. "Which one?"
"Dunhuang."
Dunhuang was a large-scale historical war epic filmed in China several years earlier, produced by Tokuma Shoten at a cost of 4.5 billion yen.
"Ah, Dunhuang," Tokuma Yasuyoshi said with a nod. "I like it very much as well. Chinese history and culture contain so much that's worth studying."
Aaron did not dwell on the topic. Instead, he moved straight to business.
"Dawnlight is expanding rapidly in Hollywood, and the international market is now our top priority," he said.
"Japan, as the world's second-largest consumer market, is extremely important to us. Establishing a local branch here to handle film distribution is an urgent matter."
Tokuma nodded in agreement.
"Daiei operates its own cinema chains. We are fully capable of handling the marketing and distribution of Dawnlight's films in Japan."
Japan's domestic film industry was currently sluggish—animation being the lone bright spot—but with Hollywood and Hong Kong competing fiercely for the Asian market, Japan was the most critical battleground. Tokuma found it entirely natural that Hollywood studios placed such emphasis on Japan.
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Before long, a strikingly beautiful woman approached Aaron to pour wine for him. With her refined features and elegantly curvaceous figure, she naturally drew his attention.
Tokuma smiled knowingly.
"She's this year's national beauty pageant winner—Miss Japan. Her name is Norika Fujiwara, about your age."
"So that's her," Aaron thought to himself, raising his glass and clinking it lightly with Tokuma's.
Soon after, Aaron rested an arm around Norika as he continued discussing the Japanese film industry, as well as trends across Asia and the global market. With Tokuma Shoten—a powerful local partner—supporting Dawnlight's Japanese office, distribution arrangements would move swiftly.
The dinner concluded with both sides thoroughly satisfied.
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Afterward, Aaron went to enjoy the Hotel Okura's indoor hot spring. Norika entered shortly after, carrying wine.
Her figure was undeniably captivating as she stepped into the pool and gently began washing his back.
"Have you officially entered the entertainment industry?" Aaron asked, leaning against the edge of the bath and taking a sip of wine.
Norika's English was limited but serviceable.
"Yes. I signed a modeling contract with Tokuma Shoten. Right now, I mainly do magazine shoots and commercials."
Aaron turned and pulled the mature, voluptuous beauty into his arms, kissing her cheek.
"I'll need a guide while I'm here these next few days. Stay with me for a while."
He continued calmly, "I'll have Tokuma arrange acting opportunities for you—this will help you make a proper debut."
Norika smiled and pressed herself against his chest.
"I'd like that."
Japan's entertainment industry was highly developed—but also fiercely competitive. A pageant title alone didn't guarantee real opportunities.
"Good," Aaron said. "Tomorrow I want to visit a hot spring resort. You can handle the arrangements."
After thinking briefly, Norika suggested,
"Let's go to Hakone. It's not far from Tokyo—famous hot springs, quiet surroundings, beautiful scenery."
Aaron nodded.
"In a few days, I may also travel to China. Prepare to come with me."
"After that, we'll likely stay in Hong Kong until Christmas."
This year marked the absolute peak of Hong Kong cinema—a fact Aaron understood better than anyone. He also knew that the decline would follow soon, as markets shifted and Hollywood's effects-driven blockbusters reshaped global cinema.
Japan and Korea had long been strongholds for Hong Kong films. Many Hong Kong stars enjoyed enormous popularity there—Jackie Chan, for example, was even more famous in Japan than Arnold Schwarzenegger or Sylvester Stallone.
Norika leaned in and kissed Aaron softly.
"I'll follow your lead."
Fresh off her Miss Japan victory at just twenty-one, meeting a Hollywood billionaire was a rare opportunity—one she had no intention of letting slip away.
Aaron pulled her into a deep, heated kiss, and she responded just as passionately.
He hadn't expected Tokuma to introduce him to Norika Fujiwara—let alone the newly crowned Miss Japan.
Not long after, Aaron carried her back to his suite.