Change of the Guard for Yamatestsu

Several days ago, Tadamako Shibanokuji, chairman of the board for megacorp Yamatestsu died after having suffered a debilitating left-brain stroke six weeks earlier. He passed without ever having regained his power or speech. The ownership of his shares reverted to his sole heir, Yuri. Despite his half-Japanese heritage, Yuri is a true ork rather than an oni and was until recently a family secret. Imagine the board's surprise when Yuri decided to keep his father's shares rather than sell them and take a seat on the board of Yamatetsu. You can bet, despite Yamatetsu's growing "meta-friendly" image, the Japanese hardliners are taking exception to the addition.

Yuri is going to need some hot-dreck body guards... and maybe work remotely (just about any place that's not Japan should do)

I have to believe some security provisions were left in the will otherwise his da' was highly neglegent. My guess would be the shares pass to Renraku or Fuchi upon his death. That would make the Yamatetsu guys think twice.

Everyone, especially the board of Yamatetsu and the Japanese Government was shocked to have a "kawaruhito" taking up a big enough voting block to become chairman of the board. This was due to his controling his late father's stock in addition to his mother's and was/is being backed by Buttercup, a free spirit who also occupies a seat on the board.

Since taking the position, the Japanese ministry of trade has been enforcing obscure environmental regulations at Yamatetsu plants throughout Japan. And what should have been routine audits have become nightmarish excercises in accounting for every last nuyen. It's pretty obvious that the Japanese government is punishing Yamatetsu for having a Meta at the helm.

Not only that, but the members of the board itself have made not-so-subtle hints and put pressure on Yuri Shibanokuji to "get out of their company or else" ... I'm paraphrasing, but you know what I mean.

With all that happening, and Yamatetsu stock dropping... and the other megas taking the opportunity to poke the weak points, looks like he's gonna kill the Mega if it doesn't kill him first.

Racist bastards.

In response to the pressure, Yuri Shibanokuji has announced his plan to move Yamatetsu's headquarters to Vladivostok Russia. The plan was backed by Buttercup, the Free Spirit who holds a seat on the board, giving Yuri enough sway to get the move approved despite vehement protestation.

They protest when he stays; they protest when he goes.

Unless he's also planning on moving all manufaturing and facilities out of Japan moving the headquarters alone isn't going to cut it.

And what's up with Buttercup? How's a free spirit get a by from the racists? And what's her/his/it's game? Anyone got any clue what the big B is getting out of this? It's not Baba Yaga in disguise is it?